The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-01-28
CINDERELLAS SISTERS AND-
=THE STORY OF THEIR WOO|NG
Showing How Miss Hopeful Came Within Ace Playing Her Cards
Successfully, to the Disadvantage Of Her Elders.

I'll take you to live with me when
am married. I'm going to act little
comedy. I am Cinderella; ill-treated
by my step-slsters, who are old. ugly
and jealous, but I am too noble to
complain. I am resigned. gentle. ever
obliging."
II see. PITY is akin to love- And
you think you can interest these men
by playing Cinderella. Well, Il Is not
n bad idea. But how can help your
"Fll tell you later. Meantime you
had better go to father. quite forgot
to tell you he wants to see you"
Colonel Ashby arrived next evening.
Sir George Courtenay was not expect
ed for day or two, and Ella felt
rather relieved. One man was enough
to begin with. The Major mentioned
casually at dinner that his elder
daughters were from home, and Ernest
Ashby felt a pang of disappointment.
He had hoped to meet Dot, for he had
heard Of the death of her mother and
of the sisters having gone to live with
their step-father. His brief love story
had been played out one autumn in a
country house where Dot had been
visiting alone. Ashby had fallen vio-
lently in love with Dot, but although
she had returned his affection, their
engagement was never announced, for
they had quarreled almost at once,
and Ashby had gone abroad In q 1T
of temper.
As soon as the Major had fallen
asleep over his dinner, Ashby made his
way to the drawlng-room, where he
found Miss Reade at the piano. and
Ella prettily reposed in window re-
cess. He quickly Joined the latter,
and began to make conversation.
"You have sisters, haven't your" he
asked. after n time.
"Step-sisters. and three darling little
brothers"
"Your sisters are from home Just
now?"
"Oh, yes" with an arch smile, "or
shouldn't be here"
Shouldn't you? Why not7'
"Oh, well"-a pause. "You see,
am rather young, and my sisters keep
me in the school-room. They are very
good and kind, but quite old; they
think me q child"
quite oldW he exclaimed. "why,
they cannot be. At least the one I
knew cannot be much over twenty"
Ella bit her lip in annoyance at her
blunder. She had forgotten that Ash.
by had known Dot.
Ella hesitated moment, then risked
a daring step.
Darling Dot" she murmured. "Ah,
Colonel Ashby, did you not know !
Dot died two years ago."
dot dead" he cried, In a voice of
anguish. 1t was over, then; his dream
Of reconciliation. He could never ask
forgiveness now; never explain away
his harsh words; never hear her dear
voice whisper pardon. II am sorry to
have distressed you," he said, wearily,
after pause. II had not heard Of
Of your sisters DEATH" =.
Ella smiled through her tears like an
April morn.
II can't quite talk of darling Dot
yet" she said, unsteadlly. 1--WE were
so much to each other, and l am SO
lonely now she's gone"
"You must be-" he answered, almost
tenderly. "You must miss her ter
ribly."
"Oh. I DO" cried Ella. pressing her
handkerchief to her eyes, and there
was a long silence. At last Ella looked
up. II must say goodnight now,
Colonel Ashby," she said, with little
smile.
"Already?" he demonstrated. "why,
It's very early. Don't go yet"
"Oh, but have such lot to do to.
night" she answered. simply.
do you still do lessons, theng
"Oh, no." cried Ella, earnestly. 81
am going to the nursery. Baby BERTHE
won't let anybody else put him to bed
And then. my sisters have left me
things to do"
"TasksT" asked Ashby,
"Mending, and things like that. They
have taken their maid with them, you
see."
As"ehoi huAu AiutS Ou you. DOIl
they ever take you out with themT
"Oh, they are very kind" said Ella
"and they have promised to take me
somewhere some day. when the boys
are old enough to be at school and ]
am not so much needed at home"
Rather a distant prospect" re-
marked Ashby. 'I'm afraid It's q
case of Cinderella and the cruel step
sisters"
ella rather forgot her part next day
Her father was laid up with a sudder
ht of gout. and Miss Reade was KEEP
busy looking after household affairs
and subduing a mutiny in the nursery
Ella sauntered round the grounds Will
the Colonel. chatting gayly, and ther
Insisted on rowing about on the pond
as unlike household drudge as pos
sible. This occurring to her very
forcibly, she made an effort to resum,
her role.
"What nice holiday I'm havingv
she remarked, accordingly. resting OF
her oars, and fixing gleeful eyes OIL
him. "FThat dear Miss Raada ho, 49,