The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01

came jealous. oody. ugly-tsmpere and finally
had the good luck TO get his congo as the result
OF an attempt to assert himself and limit her
dances. She was bithe and radiant aud fancy
free when Frank Garrison reached the post.
awee bit hipped. IL was whispered, because OF
the failure OF Q somewhat hslf-hearted suit OF
his In the far East. and the Fairy bounded into
the darkness OF his life and fairly dazzled him.
Somebody had said Frank Garrison had
money.
There is no need to tell Of the disillusion that
gradually came. Frank found his debts m cunt
ing up and his cares increasing. She was all
sympathy and regret when he mentioned IT,
but-there were certain comforts. luxuries and
things she Ind always been accustomed to.
and couldn't live without. Surely ne would not
have her apply to papa. No. but-could she
not manage with little lessp He was willing
to give up his cigars Indeed. he had long since
done sol and to make his uniforms last year
longer-he who was In his day the most care
fully dressed man at the Point. Well. she
thought perhaps he ought to do that. Besides
mons fashions changed but slowly. whereas
women's- We'll. I'd rather be dead than out
OF style, Frank"
And so 1t went.
But II she did not love her husband she
was really bound up in Nita-her baby sister
as she called her. and when Tsrriss. the Col
onsl. went the way OF all flesh. preceded only n
few months by the wife OF his bosom. the few
thousands In life insurance he had managed to
maintain went to the two daughters. Not one
penny was ever laid out In payment OF the
debts OF either the father or husband. Nita
was sent to an extravaRant finishing school in
Gotham and along in May OF the young girls
graduating year. blithe little Mrs Garrison
arrived. fresh from the far West. and after
few weeks OF sightseeing and shopping. the
sisters appeared at tho Point. even half mourn
Ing by this time discarded. Thirteen years
difference was there in tho ages OF the Fairy
Sisters. and not = soul save those who knew
them in former days on the frontier would have
SUSPECTED It. Mrs. Frank. in evening dress,
didn't look over twenty.
One lovely evening early in August. Just
about the time that Cadet Capt. Latrobo be-
gan to show we'll to the front In the run for the
prize. the two sisters had gone to their room at
the hotel to dress for the hop. 1t was their
custom to disappear from public gaze about
O'Clock. and when they came floating down the
stairs in filmy. diaphanous clouds OF white. the
halls were we'll filed with impatient cavaliers
in the natty cadet uniform. and with women
waiting to see.". Then the sisters would 60
into the dining room and have some light re-
fesnment. with q glass OF iced tea-and no
matter how torrid the heat or how flushed and
dragged other women might look. they were
inviting pictures OF all that was ever fresh.
cool and fragrant. The two fluffy blonde heads
would be huddled close together a minute as
they studied the bill OF fare. and virtuous ma
trons at other tables. tanning vigorously
would snin and say: All for effect They
know that supper bill by heart. 1t mover
changes" All the same. at the bottom
OF this public display OF sstsrly devo-
ton and harmony and in spite OF occasional
tits and differences. there was genuine affec-
ton on both sides. for as q child Nita had
adorod Margaret. and there could be no doubt
ing the elders love for the child. Some rsgl-
mental observers said that every bit OF heart
that elder Terriss girl had was wrapped up in
the little one. Neither girl. even after Marga-
rets marriage. would listen to a word in dispar-
agemsnt OF the other. but in the sanctlty OF
the sistsrly retreat on the third floor OF the
old hotel there occurred sometimes spirited
verbal tits that were quite distinctly audible
to passers-by in the corridor. provided
they cared to llsten. which some OF them did
On this especial August evening Mrs. Frank
was in an admonitory frame OF mind. They
had known Mr. Latrobe barely three weeks,
and yet as Mrs. Frank was sauntsring around
a turn in Filtration Walk. leaning on the arm
OF the cadet adjutant. there in the pathway
right ahead stood Nita. lovely little picture
with downcast eyes. and Pat" Letrobe bend
ing over her with love and passion glowing in
his handsome face. pleading eagerly. clinging
fsrvently to both her tiny. white Rloved hands.
Mrs. Garrison saw 1t all In the flash OF 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 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 bad quarter
OF an hour She was Infinitely worried. Not
because Pat Latrobe had fallen desperately in
love with her charming little sistsr-that was
his lookout-but what-oh. what might not
happen II the charming little sister were to fall
in love with that handsome soldier boy. At all
hazards. even II she had to whlsk her away to-
morrow. that had to be stopped. and this very
evening whom they went to their room Mar
garet spoke.
'Nita. II 1t were only for Mr.. LatrobeI should
not care a snap OF my finger. but It's you-you!
thought you had more sense. thought you
fully understood that you couldn't afford to
lose yourself moment. and yet II ever a girl
looked like yielding you did this very after
noon. For my sake. for your own sake. Nita.
don't let IL 60 any further-don't fall in love-
here-whatever you do"
The younger sister stood at the dressing
table at the moment. her face averted. The
Mary Powell was Just rounding the Point. and
the mellow. melodious notes OF her 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 man
Ting her cheeks. her lip quivsring. She was
making valiant efforts to control herself before
replying.
I'm not In love with him." she finally said.
Perhaps not-yet. Surely hope not but 1t
looked awfully like It was coming-and Mia.
you simply mustn't. You've got to marry
money II l have to stand guard over you and
see you do it-and you know you can this min
ute. II you'll only listen"
The younger girl wheeled sharply. her eyes
flashing. Peggy. you promised me shouldn't
hear that hateful thing agan-at least not I'M
Ill we left here-and you've broken your word
twice. You"
''It's because l must. can't see you drift
h. I han nit A, 4