The St. Johns herald., 1900-01-27
IT WILL PAY YOU TO TAKE 1.-THE HERALD"
When Their Release Came
| ND now, my dear nieces, that we A have arranged these sad details,
All Three Sisters Decided That They Wanted to Get Away from Home
 and One Another.

said Uncle William, taking up his hat and stroking the new hatband re- fectiyely.
 Augusta remained unmoved, the in- valid Amelia sighed. Anne looked in- patiently round the room.
 "As far as I can judge from cur sory gIarce at your poor fathers af- fairs," he continued, there is a sum of about e5,OOO to be divided equally between you. Now, if this is carefully invested it may bring in something like g2o0 a year"
 Nearly G70 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 a sum as that"
 At this Augusta gave suppressed snort capable of any interpretation.
 Her uncle went on: But if you hold together, and are content to take a little cottage in the country I think you will be able to manage pretty com- fortably."
 "I absolutely refuse to do anything of the sort!" cried Anne, vehemently.
 Hush. hushI" said Augusta.
 "Yor must let your sister speak" in- ferposed Uncle William. "She is over age and quite independent of any of us."
 lover age, indeedI And am not 20 years her senior? Have no voice in the matterT
 "With regard to your share, certain ly; but not beyond that"
 'I should like to tell you what feel, Uncle William" said Anne. ''As you know, papa was i'll for five years, ever since grew mp. When I was child i'saw the others having splendid times; they went here, there and everywhere"
 "Oh, Anne, how can you?" cried Amelia. "You know have never been able to go out much."
 "You had your own room; you could see your friends; everyone has always given way to you" Anne continued, feverishly: "No one l cared for ever came near the place since I've been grown up. Only the old friends of the family have called and whispered and sympathized. The rest couldn't come; how could we expect any sunshiny per son to visit q house with pail over 1t -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 ciasped her temples tightly with her two hands and regained her eomposure.
 ~Anne, how can you?' cried Amelia. "You can't know how hateful your con- tempt for the ailing and the weak makes you"
 T 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, case in which each day brought more foolishress, more hope less imbecility, all through the best years of my life. while my youth, my precious. precious youth, which can never come back to me, was flying away!"
 Nonsense, nonsense; you are child ktill," cried Uncle William, moved by her emotion.
 'Ay face is all over little wrinkles, ancie I am only %, know; but you cannot keep young in tomb"
 Coarse girl" muttered Augusta.
 "What do you propose to do, then2" said the uncle. despairingly.
 Tn the first place, put London be- tween myself and my loving family" she replied, with sparkling eyes. "Then I shall see if there are not some means by which l can make decent income; if so, shall train myself for the work; if not-well, ID promise never to ask any of you for help"
 Although 1 have no legal control sver you, Anne, it is my duty to warn you that many dangers await young, unprotected girl in London" said the uncle.
 ''Oh, know all about that. I am going to stay with an old friend of mine. We were children together and now she is a widow; she has little house in Mayfair and has asked me to so 10 Cowes with her"
 "Do you know who this woman is she proposes to live with?" said Au- gusta, icily. Amelia was sobbing. Un- ele William shook his head.
 ''She is woman in society, certain hy. but her photographs are in all the shop windows and she has actually ap- peared upon the public stage"
 Well. she was-a 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."
 'Go on the stage! Is that what you propose to do?" cried Augusta.
 "oh, my poor darling!" sobbed Amelia.
 And if did? Why, I should get fond 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 circle!"
 My dear Anne, I advise you serious fy to reconsider the position. As | was saying, your united incomes would amount to-"
 Don't trouble to make calculations on my account, Uncle William. have arranged everything for myself. My address will be,'care of Mrs. Devass, lo5 Brook street. Mayfair. w. and I shall be glad to hear from you when my share is available. Till. then she has promised to look after me. Good by, Angusta-I hope you'll enjoy liv- ing for year on the price of your last best dress. Good-by.. Amelia. Don't flirt with the curates too much. Good