The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1900-07-07
HER SISTERS SECRET
BY Owen oliver.
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HAD vowed never 70 enter the
Dofmers' house again; but when
they sent word that Malsie was dying
went there as fast as a hanson
would carry me We had always been
such friends 1.-THE child and l.
She was pfopped up In bed With Pill.
lows, and her pretty face was pale aud
drawn, but she smiled when she saw
NE. took her wasted hand Ia mine
and kissed her cheek.
II was sure you would come" she
said Ia faint. pleased voice.
"Of course" answered. "Of
course. my dear child" Size was only
IL There is no quarrel between you
aud me-" We had remained good
friends when the rest Of the family
cut me dead.
I'VE never have quarreled," she said,
holding ms hand slightly "There ia
not much time 20 quarrel now. You
won't, win you, Fred7" | shook my
head A lump Ia my throat kept me
from speaking. Promise me before
i tell something"
my poor little Maisiel" l cried,
brokenly. II promise" ohe had been
a pet OF mine from The days when she
was a toddling baby and big, awk-
ward boy.
EFT IL very secret" she stated, in q
slow, far-off voice. "My dear--@it Is
only for Fred" Her mother shook up
che pillows aud left us alone. hut
Maisic seemed unable To make up her
mind 20 speak
''You know I would do anything for
you. little girl" said, soothlngiy.
Her eyes frightened. and she nodded.
but the smile died gradually away.
"rurn me over little" she en-
treated. 'and pull the corner Of the
pillow over my face. | can't tell YOU
II yon look at me," So turned her
very gently aud waited. but she still
said nothing,
swell. MayG" | asked.
sYou used to be fond OF mef"
al am fond Of you. shall never
have anyone TO replace YOU, dear"
suppose | had done something
drcadful9 Something that hurt youe'
Il should know that you could not
help Ia
Something meang" Her voice al
most broke.
sYou couldn't"
"Ahl but suppose had7"
''rhen," | said. firmly, II should
know IL was just slip, like we all
make--iike | make sometimes
should not blame you, little one"
ssroked her long, silky hair and
thought how | should miss her. had
never fully realized before how very
fond was of my fanciiul little friend.
"Nul you promise to forgive me,
dear Fred9" she added. pleaaingly,
"if there II anything 20 forgive"
''There is"
''rhen, whatever II Ia, forgive you,
So you need not tell me now.
II MUST" she said, reSolutely, "lt IL
about you and Luey-~when you quar-
relied" She stopped abruptly,
"Yes7" Lucy vas her elder sister.
We had been engaged.
"You wrote her an ~Nplana,lon--a
satisfactory explanation,
Apparently she did not think 80.
She nsver answered the letter that
EAAN ahh " atANtAs
.'she never had II. " sald MalSle. with
a sob,
sMaisirl"
~ kept H." She buried her face
in the pillow. was too aStanished
for words. but l kept stroking her
hair. Il read II drst Then burnt
ia
"flut--why7"
Because | was a coward she
aabhed; sbecaase i--oh. Fred, forgive
mel Don't dcspise me more than you
can help" A light flashed into my
mind. ] bent over her and kissed her
cheek
My little Maisle." said. tendrrly
My poor. loving. little grit You
cared 80 much a. that for me-
~ thought. perhaps. II you didn't
marry Lucy. and we were gool friends.
aud I grew upoA. Fred. ! shan',
grow up noa'" ] put my arms round
her aud held her close TO me.
III you get well May said. "ani
grow up shall like you better than
uaybedy." She laughed family Il
bslisvv ! always Aid. l wiped Der
eyea.