The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-08-10
Her sisters Secret.
1t Was Kept by Girl
of Fourteen.
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By Owen Oliver.

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] had vowed never to enter the Dor
mers' house again, but when they sent
word that Maisie was dying went
there as fast as hanson would carry
me. We had alwaysb 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. took her wasted hand in mine
and kissed her cheek.
81 was sure you would come" she
said In faint, pleased voice.
"Of COURSE" / answered; ''of course,
my dear child" She was only IA.
'eThere 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? l shook my
head A lump in my throat kept me
from speaking Promise me before
tell you-something."
MY poor little MaisieP' cried bro
kenly. II promise" She had been
pet of mine from the days when she
was toddling baby and / a big, awk-
ward boy.
1T is very secret" she stated in
slow, faroff voice. My dear, it is only
for Fred" Her mother shook up the
~,sI = I..art al 6v1t Mate IN
seemed unable to make up her mind to
speak.
"You know | would do anything for
you, little girl" said soothingly. Her
eyes frightened, and she nodded, but
the smile died gradually away.
"Turn me over little" she entreat-
ed, "and pull the corner of the pillow
over my face. l can't tell you if you
look at me- SO turned her very gen
tly, but she still said nothing.
"Well, Mayo asked.
you used to be fond Of me%
81 am fond of you. shall never
have any one to replace you, dear"
Suppose 1 had done something
dreadful something that hurt your"
81 should know that you could not
help it."
Something meanT Her voice al
most broke.
you couldn't"
"Ah, but suppose l hadT"
"rhen," l said firmly, 81 should know
It was just Slip like we all make
like I make sometimes. l should not
blame you, little one" I stroked her
long, silky hair and thought how l
should miss her. l had never fully
realized before how very fond was Of
my fanciful little friend
'sWill YOU promise to forgive me,
dear Fred?' she asked pleadingly.
IF there is anything to forgive"
"There is"
"Then, whatever it is, l forgive you.
So you need not tell me now"
81 must" she said resolutely. ut Is
about you and Lucy-when you quar-
relied" She stopped abruptly.
"Yes? Lucy was her elder sister.
We had been engaged.
''You wrote her an explanation-a
satisfactory explanation"
apparently she did not think so.
She never answered the letter that l
gave you to deliver"
"She never had it," said Maisie, with
sob.
"Maisiel"
81 kept it." She buried her face
in the pillow. I was too astonished for
words, but l kept stroking her hair.
" read it first. Then burned It."
'But-why?'
Because was a coward" she sob
bed-''because Lob, Fred. forgive me!
Don't despise me more than you can
help" A light flashed into my mind
l bent over her and kissed her cheek.
sMy little Maisier' l said tenderly.
"My poor. loving, little girl! You cared
so much as that for me9
81 thought, perhaps, If you didn't
marry Lucy, and we were eood friends
and / grew up-oh, Fred, shan
grow up now" put my arms rount
her and held her close to me.
aIf you get well, May" l said, "ant
grow up, ] shall like you better thai
anybody" She laughed family. :"
believe / always did" / wiped he
eyes.
81 shan't," she said. "So-you wi
like her again, now, won't your
hesitated My affection for Luc
died natural death. 1t had neve
been very deep. Neither, | fanciet
had hers for me.
"Time will prove" l said slowly
81 doubt IL she''--
''She does" said Maisie.
"Has she told you so?"
"Yes."
l frowned. "You have not told he
about the letter." She shook he
head. 'sThen never will. 1t is u.s.
less your asking me to do So"
II do not ask you to. am not bray
enough" She buried her face.
want them to think well Of me-" 81
cried plteously, .'wheh-when r.
"Oh, Maisie, don'tg The tears wei
N In my eyes.
'.T8ut you will be good to herr Ao
n make it UP won't you? You nee
tell her about me only say thu
IRE sorry ana want to be friend