Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-11-10
CRATER III. ,ccntinucd.)

cried, giving her sister n rapturous
hug, aud then pirouettipg gaily round
the room. 1--WE can have tennis and
a~fchery-tbe Colrtflelds had archery
and n band! Oh! it will be delight
ful!'
Her cheeks were flushed with pleas
ure, her eyes shone like stars, and her
pretty chestnut hair. shaken loose
from its fastenings, lay on her shout
ders. Grace looked ut the charming,
eager little creature with wistful ten
derness. with Il sincere wish that fate
would smile more kindly upon her Sis
ter than IL had done on her.
II was born 10 walk in the shadow;
but my bonuy Ruth is a child of the
sunshine"
There was no tinge Of envy in her
thoughts, but it brought a shadow over
the fair face: and Ruth. quick TO no
tice every change In her sisters coun-
~tenance, said. half-remorsefully
Am | selfish. Oracle? 40 / tease
you with my raptresg'
"No, dear / am indeed pleased 70 see
you glad"
''And you will he there, Grace-you
will enjoy yourself, too!' the girl ex-
claimed.
Il shall be there. certainly" Grace
answered, with a smile-'.if only to
make Mr.. Cartons acquaintancet'
Ruth turned away with a vivid
flush. which gave the anxious. ques-
tioning look in her sisters eyes an in
slant and most decisive answer Until
then there had been Il lurking uneasi-
ness III Grace Sankey's mind. Her
mothers warm advocacy Of the man
meant, she knew, that Mr.. Carlton was
a h~ighly-eligible sutton; but Ruth'S
swift. sly blush meant something
more, ard. though the Squire knew it
not, he had secured another warm par
tisan and friend.
After that, the invitations were
promptly issued, and preparations for
the fete proceeded briskly. 10 the
amazement Of hotll Mrs. Leger and
Ruth, Grace interested herself warmly
in the matter, ana seemed as eager as
they that everything should be in good
taste and 30 Off we'll.
1t was she who chose Kuth'S dress
for the great occasion-a charming
mingling OF cream and warm russell
tints. which suited the girls sparkling
beauty 10 perfection, and IL gave the
added grace Of perfect style.
Il might pass for a princess" she
cried, gaily, twisting herself about be-
fore the glass and admitting her WI
reflection immensely. 'Do you know
Grace. the glass being Mt set fair all
the invitations accepted, and every
thing being In perfect order for to-
morrow, l shall be absolutely happy
if"
There is always an IT. dear Grace
remarked, smiling; but. in this spe-
cial instance, what is yoursE'
"The difference in our dresses tror-
blcS me. If YOU would emily east of
those horrld weeds, aud look, for once,
like any other young and pretty girl!
You are young and pretty still. Grace
DO you mean TO wear black forevery
II do not know her sister replied,
q little unsteadily; but il need hardly
trouble you now. dear, for mine will be
very modified mourning tomorrow"
But II viii he black. STILL" she ner-
sisted. ~discontontedly. "How j should
like to array you in pink or sky-blue. or
terra-cotta. or crushed strawberry"
- 1Iihl Will Nus bANNt tiANhs itt'AAA-
her hands in assumed terror. Heaven
preserve me from such an avalanche
of cciors! You know my taste always
inclines TO sober tints.'
"And perhaps you are right Ruth
observed. sagely. regarding her sister
attentively. ''The black satin and lace
will bring out all your tones delight
fully. Nothing could form n better set
ting for a blush-rose skin, blue eyes
and golden hair"
'.oh. don't talk such nonsense!"
Grace broke In. her cheeks reddenlng.
though the praise came only from a
sisters lips.
Ruth laughed aloud in miscellaneous
delight.
at Is excellent sense. and absolute
TRUTH she cried. gaily. If you were
the veriest conuette in the world. YOU
could choose no more becoming dress.
But, ali the same, | would change II If
1 could. ou have been SO like my OWN
dear Grace these last few days that l
could almost think the sorrowful past
was done with AMI forgotten.
Insensil,,y her ringing tone changed
to a tender gravity. her hand stole
irto her sisters and held il fast.
Grace was touched by the affection
ate appeal. The contrast between them
had presented itself m~omentarily 10
her own mind, but had found an ahid-
ing place, apparently, in that OF her
sister.
THANK you. dear" the elder girl
said. gently. The past can be
forgotten; but. somehow, there seems
to me a change-whetier il is in me or
around me / can hardly tell. But !
seem TO be drifting back into the old
thoughts and ways-to be. as YOU say,
my old self. | think ! should hardly
be startled IL tomorrow found ine
Grace Leger again."
There were tears in her eyes. and the
soft lips trembled as they rested on
Ruth's bright hair: but the latter only
answered, With a pleasant laugh:
LET IL find you what IL .pleases,
Grace. If it only finds and leaves you
happy