The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-08-29
!; Her Sisters Secret.
It Was Kept by O Girl
OF Fourteen.
By Owen Oliver.
70 oe9o o0oo o00o o0Oo o00o,

9 By Owen Oliver. 8
Seo oeoo o@eo o@0o oo0o oo0oo oeS
had vowed never to enter the Dor
ncrs' house again, but when they sent
word that Maisic was dying I went
there as fast as hanson would carry
me. We had always been such friends,
the child and 1.
she was propped up in bed with pill
lows, and her pretty face was pale and
drawn, but she smiled when she saw
me- l took her wasted hand in mine
AMI kissed her cheek.
Il was sure you would come," she
said in faint. pleased voice.
"Of course" answered.; "of course,
my dear child" She was only IA.
There is no quarrel between you and
me-" We had remained good friends
when the rest Of the family cut me
dead.
I'VE never have quarreled," she said,
holding my hand tightly. "There is
not much time to quarrel now. You
won't, will you, Fred?" I shook my
head. A lump In my throat kept me
from speaking. Promise me before I
tell you-somethIng."
my poor little Maisie!' cried bro
kenly. II promise" She had been q
pet Of mine from the days when she
was toddling baby and q big, awk-
ward boy.
1T is very secret" che stated In q
slow, faroff voice. "My dear, it is only
for Fred" Her mother shook up the
1ap nY1 u,,1 FHl lrf1
seemed unable to make up her mind to
speak.
You know I would do anything for
you, little GIRL" I said soothingly. Her
eyes frightened, and she nodded, but
the smile died gradually away.
Turn me over little" she entreat-
ed, land pull the corner of the pillow
over my face. can't tell you If you
look at me-" SO turned her very gem
tly, but she still said nothing.
"Well, May ?'' I asked.
"You used to be fond Of meY
II am fond of you. I shall never
have any one TO replace you, DEAR
Suppose I had done something
dreadful something that hurt your"
II should know that you could not
help It,"
Something meanT Her voice ai-
most broke.
You couldn't"
"Ah, but suppose had?"
"Then." said firmly, "I should know
It was just slip, like we all make
like I make sometimes. I should not
blame you, little one" I stroked her
long, silky hair and thought how
should miss her. I had never fully
realized before how very fond was OF
my fanciful little friend.
"WiIl you promise to forgive me,
dear Fredf" she asked pleadingiy.
IF there Is anything to forgive"
There is.'
Then, whatever It Is, forgive you.
So you need not tell me nOw.n
Il must" she said res0luteIy. cit Is
about you and Lucywhen you quar-
relied" She stopped abruptly.
"YesT Lucy was her elder sister.
We had been engaged. /.
You wrote her en- explanations
satisfactory explanation"
Apparently she did not think So.
She never answered the letter that I
gave you to deliver"
"She never had is.'' said Meisie, with
q sob
"MaisIe!'
IL kept it.n She buried her face
IN the pillow. was too assec:,isAAeea SvSr
words, but I kept strohing her hair.
Il read 1t firHt. Then burned Il,
"But-why?'
Because was coward she sob.
because Lob, Fred, forgive me!
Don't despise me moro than yau can {
help" A light dashed into my mind.
bent over her and kissed hes cheek.
MY little MaiaieiD said tenderly.
MY poor. loving, little girll Won cared
80 much as that for metz
Il thought, pszsaaps, if yon didn't
marry Lucy, And we were good friends.
and grew up-oh. Fred. I shaa,E
STOW up nowl" put my arns round
ner and held her cs0sS 30. me. ).
II you get well, AEaYsn said, stands
grow up. ahall like you better than
ANYBODY" She laughed Haintiy. sT
believe I always did" I wiped her
"I shan't" she essd. agc--you WIN
hke her again, now. wont yonf''
heaitAfed. Azy affection Cor IlnG4
eied nafaTai denah. Is haa nsi6g
oeen very deep. Neither. faneiaa,
aa0 hesD 8or me. 81 .sass.z:a
j, !1me viii aEoyese eaid slowly.
= doubt &c shaies Is s;I5:E ;S15 -
aShe dossy aasil sxassis. 4 sss :s h: sis 81
Has she told ron cor,
crowned. s.you have ros tosa hse