The suburban citizen., 1900-10-20


rose suddenly from the step and ran
upstairs TO her own room, She felt
That she could not meet her brother
just yet
She sat down by the side of her bed
and buried her face in her pillow
"Oh, l cal t, can't" she said aloud,
in answer to some suggestion from her
conscience
There wss silence in the room n
minute, a d then a long, Sasping sigh
escaped Ler lips.
1T would not generous to do It
unless l could do it freely-gladly,"
she murmured But butt ought
to. Poor Hcrmanl He has worked 50
hardg
1t was about ten minutes later that
she heard Herman calling to her.
She sprang up bathed her face,
brushed her hair hastily and hurried
down to the Kitchen
Her brother was standing by the
window, with the brown paper parcel
ia his hands
Here's something that will make
your eyes sparkle, Efne" he said.
"Open it, and tell me if that isn't just
what you wanted"
Etlie took the parcel and opened 1t
mechanically. 1t contained a dress
pattern Of soft surah silk, of 4 deli
cate fawn color, half dozen yards of
pink satin ribbon, pretty fan and
pair of white kid gloves
She stared at her brother in amaze
ment
Herman, where did you get these?"
"At store in Barwater Mrs. Hap
good chose them for me. would
never have dared undertake It my
self"
"But-the money, Hermann
Never mind about that, Eflie,' an
swered Herman, quickly, a sudden
flush rising to his face make up the
dress, and go to the party and enjoy
yourself. You do have a dull time Of
it here, and it's a pity if you can't go
to n party once in a while. And now
get me something to eat, for I'm al
most starved. I haven't had anything
since breakfast"
Herman! Ridden thirty miles to-
day and no dinner, Well, you must
be hungry
She went close to him and kissed
him tenderly.
1T was very good Of you to buy
NE the dress" she said, her voice
little constrained, as she remembered
that struggle upstairs with her con-
science.
She set tie coffee pot on the stove
and then went into the pantry, emerg-
ing a moment later with a bone in her
hand
Here's something l saved for Leo"
she said. "He must be almost starved,
too. You ought not TO have taken
him, Herman"
She was almost at the door when
her brotner's voice arrested her.
Leo isn't ont there, Eftie. It's no
use to call him. l sold him this morn
ing
Herman. Sold Leo"
She would not have been more sur
prlsed had lie told her he had sold
the farm, for she knew the big brown
setter was his dearest earthly posses
sion.
Yes and Herman averted his face
from his sisters shocked gaze. II
don't really need him, you know. l
don't often have n chance to go hunt
ing now, and there was g man in Bar
water who Lad wanted him for long
time, and offered me $50 for him.
Etiie made no ejoinder. She was
staring Straight before her, an express
sion OF such poignant grief and contri.
tion on her face that Herman was
startled.
He crossed the room and put his
arms ar, d her affectionately.
II didn't know you cared so much
for the poor old dog, EGe,' he said,
his voice n little shaken.
"It-it-isn't that" she answered, in
low. tense voice. Butch, Her
man, l know why you sold him! You
made that sacrifice for me, while /
! l."
SObs choked her utterance She
broke from his arms and rushed up
stairG like a whirlwind.
1t was half an hour before she came
down again. Then her face was
flushed and stained with tears, but
there was a smile on her lips, and in
her eyes the light Of a generous reN
| solve.
herman was at the table, having
just finished the very simple meal Of
cold corned beef ard bread he had
been able to prepare FOR himself
Ellie W. up behind him, and lean.
ing on his shoulder, put the lawyers
letter in his hand
you made a great sacrifice for me,
Herman sne said, but l can do
something for you in return The
thought of tnat dreadful mortgage
/