The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-03-02
When Their Release Came
All Three Sisters Decided That They
Wanted to Get Away from Home
and One Another.
&c A ND now. my dear nieces, that we

want to talk to you about yourselves
said Uncle William, taking up his hat
and stroking the new hatband re-
fiectively.
Augusta remained unmoved, the in
valid Amelia sighed. Anne looked i'm
patiently round the room.
LAS far as I can judge from a cur
sory glance at your poor fathers at
f..r:," he continued, there is sum
of about 6 5000 to be divided equally
between you. Now, if this is carefully
invested it may bring in something
like & 200 a year"
Nearly 970 a year each," interrupt
ed Anne.
"Hush!" said Augusta.
"Of course, it is impossible for you to
continue to live in the style you have
been accustomed to On such sum as
that"
At this Augusta gave suppressed
snort capable Of any Interpretation.
Her uncle went on: Butt if you hold
together, and are content to take a
:ttle cottage in the country I think
YOU will be able to manage pretty COM
fortably."
81 absolutely refuse to do anything
of the sort!" cried Anne, vehemently.
flush, hush!" said Augusta.
You must let your sister speak" in
terposed Uncle William. "She is over
age and quite independent of any of
u.s.
cover age, indeed! And am not 20
years her senior? Have no voice in
the matter?"
with regard to your share, certain
ly; but not beyond that"
Il should like to tell you what I feel,
Uncle William said Anne. Gas you
Lnow, papa was i'll for five years, ever
since l grew up. When l was a child
! Jaw the others having splendid times;
they went here, there and everywhere"
'Oh, Anne, how can you?" cried
Amelia. you know 1 have never been
able TO go out much"
You had your own room; you could
sec your friends; everyone has always
given way to YOU" Anne continued,
taverishly: mo one / cared for ever
came near the place since I've been
crown up. Only the old friends of the
family have called and whispered and
:.Jnpathize The rest couldn't come;
how could we expect any sunshiny per-
son to visit a house with a pail over it
the tomb of living corpse; to see
the body of man who had been great,
and was-worse than nothing?" The
girls voice broke in an uncomfortable
sob; she clasped her temples tightly
with her two hands and regained her
composure.
Anne, how can you?" cried Amelia.
you can't know how hateful your con-
Tempt for the ailing and the weak makes
you"
81 have no contempt for the sick.
The sick have their brains; they have
some chance for recovery. But to sit
and watch-watch for five years-a
hopeless case, a case in which each day
brought more foo!ishness, more hope
less imbecility, all through the best
y>ars of my life, while my youth, my
precious, precious youth, which can
itver come back to me, was flying
away!"
Nonsense, nonsense; you are child
still,' cried Uncle William, moved by
her emotion.
MY face is all over little wrinkles,
uncle. l am only 20, know; but you
cannot keep young in a tomb"
Coarse girl" muttered Augusta.
what do you propose to do, then?"
said the uncle, despairingly.
"In the first place, put London be-
tween myself and my loving family"
she replied, with sparkling eyes. "Then
shall see if there are not some means
by which | can make a decent income;
If so, shall train myself for the work;
if nct-well, III promise never to ask
any of you for help"
although l have no legal control
over you, Anne, it is my duty to warn
you that many dangers await young,
unprotected girl in London" said the
uncle.
'Oh, l know all about that. l am
going to stay with an old friend of
mine. We were children together and
now she is widow; she has little
house in Mayfair and has asked me to
go to Cowes with her."
DO you know who this woman is
she proposes to live with?" said Au-
gusta, icily. Amelia was sobbing. I'm
Gle William shook his head.
"She is woman in society, certain
~, but her photographs are in all the
shop windows and she has actually an
peared upon the public stage"
We'll, she was failure, at any rate"
burst in Anne; that ought to satisfy
you! But if go on the stage I'll take
good care TO succeed, you may be sure"
20 on the stage! Is that what you
propose to do?" cried Augusta.
oh, my poor darling!" sobbed
Amelia.
And if l did? Why, should get
iond OF you two and send you stalls.
Think Of that. Papa, in his grandest
days, never took you to anything bet
ter than the front row of the dress
rircle!"
My dear Anne, advise you serious
ly to reconsider the position. AsIwas
saying, your united incomes would
amount to-"
Don't trouble to make calculations
on my account, Uncle William. have
arranged everything for myself. NV
address will be care of Mrs. Deyass.
lO5 Brook street, Mayfair, w. and /
shall be glad to hear from you when
my share is available. Till then she
has promised to look after me. Good
by Augusta hope you'll enjoy liv-
ing for year on the price of your last