The Van Buren press., 1900-07-07
HER SISTERS SECRET
BY Owen Oliver.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

they sent word that Maisie was dying
/ went there as fast as a hanson
would carry the. We had always been
such friends-the child and l.
She was propped up in bed with pill
lows, and her pretty face was pale and
drawn, but she smiled when she saw
me. j took her wasted hand in mine
and kissed her cheek.
II 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.
"we never have quarreled," she said,
holding my hand slightly. "rhere is
not much time TO quarrel now. You
won't, will you, Fred?' ! shook my
head A lump in my throat kept me
from speaking. "promise me before
i tell you-something,"
"My poor little Maisie!" cried
brokenly, II promise" she had been
q pet of mine from the days when she
was tod6lling baby and big, awk-
ward boy.
at is very secret" she stated, In q
slow, far-off voice. "My dear--it is
only for Fred" Her mother shook up
the pillows and left us alone. but
Maisie seemed unable to make up her
mind to speak.
"You know would do anything for
you, little girl" | said, soothngly.
Her eyes frightened, and she nodded,
but the smile died gradually away,
n "Turn me over little" she en-
treated, "nnd pull the corner of the
pillow over my face. ] can't tell you
ii you look at me-" So turned her
very gently and waited, but she still
said nothing.
+ swell, May?' | asked. Ii
"You used TO be fond OF me?"
81 am fond of you. ! shall never
! have anyone to replace you, dear"
suppose ] had done something
dreadful? Something that hurt you?"
81 should know that you could not
help IT,"
"Something mean?' Her voice al
most broke. .I..
"You couldn't"
"Ah! but suppose | bad?"
"Then,' | said, firmly, 81 should
know II was just II slip, like we all
make--like ! make sometimes. |
should not blame you, little one" !
stroked her long, silky hair and
thought how should miss her, had
ncycr fully realized before how very
fond was Of my fonciful little friend,
"Will you promise TO forgive me,
dear Fred?' she added, pleadingly.
III there is anything to forgive"
"'rhere Is" ,....
"rhen, whatever II is, | forgive you.
SO you need not tell me now"
~ must" she said, resoutelS at Is
about you and Lucy--when you quar-
relied" She stopped abruptly.
"ies?" Lucy was her elder sister
We had been engaged
"You wrote her an explanston--u
u satisfactory explanation"
apparently she did not think so
She never answered the letter that
gave you 10 deliver
"she never had IT," said Molsie, with
sob.
"I-I kept H." She buried her fac,
In the pillow. ! was too astonlshet
for words. but | kept strolsing hel
hair. II read It iirst. Then ! burnt
it, 4N M
"But- why?"
"Becnuse | was coward sh'
sobbed; "becnusc l--oh, Fred, forglv,
mel Don't despIsc me- more Than 20,
can help A light flushed into m,
mind bent over her ond Kissed hel
cheeh4 lt4 fA.i nMflA
MY little Maisie,' said, tenderly
1"My poor. loving little girl! Yoi
cared so mnch as that for meI'
riss'I though, perhaps, il you didn
marry Lucy, and we were good friends
and grew up-oh, Fred, I shan
growsup nowl" l. put my arms rount
her and held her close 10 me.
z ''lf you get we'll May" said, "ant
grow up | shnll like you better thai
anybody She laughed family :"
believe | nlways did" l wiped hel
eyes.