Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-01

by heart. 1t never changes" All the same,
at the bottom of this public display of sis
terly devotion and harmony and in spite of
occasional tiffs and differences, there was
genuine affection on both sides, for as a
child Nita had adored Margaret, and there
could be no doubling the elders love for
the child. Some regimental observers said
that every bit of heart that elder Terriss
girl had was wrapped up in the little one.
Neither girl, even after Margarets mar
riage, would listen to word in
disparagement Of the other, but in
the sanctity of the sisterly re-
treat on the third floor of the
old hotel there occurred sometimes
spirited verbal tilts that were quite
distinctly audible to passers-by in the cor
ridor, provided they cared TO listen, which
some of them did. On this especial August
evening Mrs. Frank was in an admonitory
frame OF mind. They had known Mr.. La
trobe barely three weeks, and yet as Mrs.
Frank was sauntering around a turn in Fir
tation Walk. leaning on the arm OF the cadet
adjutant, there in the pathway right ahead
stood iNita, lively little picture with
downcast eyes, and pat" Latrobe bending
over her with love and passion glowing in
his handsome face, pleading eagerly, cling
ing fervently to both her tiny, white
gIoved bands. Mrs. Garrison saw 1t all In
the flash OF a second, the adjutant not at
all, for with merry laughter she repeated
some words he had Just spoken as though
they were about the wittiest, funniest things
in the world, and looked frankly up into
his eyes as though he were about the best
and brightest man she had met in years
so his eyes were riveted, and the tableau
had time to dissolve. All the same that
sight gave Mrs Garrison rather more than
"A had ma p.f N N
worried. Not because Pat Latrobe had
fallen desperately in love with her charm
ing little sister-that was his outlook-but
what-oh what might not happen If the
charming little sistei were to fall in love
with that handsome soldier boy. At all
hazards, even II she had to whislk her away
tomorrow, that had to be stopped, and This
very evening when they went to their room
Margaret spoke.
"Nita, II 1t were only for Mr.. Latrobe
should not care snap of my finger, but
it's you-you! l thought you had more
sense. i thought you fully understood that
you couldn't afford TO lose yourself mo-
ment, and yet If ever a girl looked like
yielding you did this afternoon. For my
sake, for your own sake Nita. don't let 1t
go any further-dont fall in love-here-
whatever you do"
table at the moment, her face averted. The
Mary Powell was just rounding the Point,
and the mellow, melodious notes Of its bell
were still echoing through the Highlands,
Nita was gazing out on the gorgeous effect
of sunset light and shadow on the eastern
cliffs and crags across the Hudson, a flush
as vivid mantling her cheeks, her lip quiver-
ing She was making valiant efforts to con-
troll herself before replying
Pm not in love with him." she finally
said.
perhaps not-yet. Surely hope not, but
II looked awfully like vt was coming-and
Nita, you simply mustn't You've got to
marry money. If / have 30 stand guard over
you and see you do it-and you know you
can this minute-if you'll only listen"
The younger girl wheeled sharply. her
eyes flashing. Peggy, you promised me
shouldn't hear that hateful thing again-at
least not until We left here-and you've
broken your word-twice. YOU"
"It's because l must. ! can't see you
drifting-the way ! did when. with your
youth and-adyantages you can pick and
choose. Colonel Frost has mines and money
all over the west and he was your shadow
at the seashore, and all broken up-he told
me-so when We came here. Paddy La