The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-01-28

MISS Heade looked uncomfortable.
'As your governess, you know, Ella,
ought not to listen to your remarks
On your sisters" she began. ner-
vously. t.'t
"Step-sisters, please" snapped Ella.
"Oh, Miss Reade, IL you had only been
here before they came. 1t was so
nice"
Didn't they always live here, then2"
nsked the governess. 81.
"Oh, dear, no. Their father died
twenty years ago, when Laura and
Theodore We're six and eight years
old, and when mother married year
aater, MIR. Newton's mother took them
TO live with her Then mother died
two years ago. and father sa,d l wasn't
old enough to take charge, though I
was fifteen. So as oil Mrs Newton
had died year or so before, and
Laura and Theo We're staying with
their fathers sister, father wrote and
asked them to come here. They've
done nothing but interfere with me
ever since they came. You haven't
been long enough here to find out vet,
but you will soon. The idea of taking
that book away from me-"
swell, you know. Ella, dear, It Is
not quite book for young girls; but
hush-I hear Miss Newton's voice.
Do go on practicing"
The door opened, and n tall, grace
ful girl entered. She looked as much
younger than her real age as Ella
looked older. and no one would have
guessed her to be more than twenty
three or four. She looked very pale
and there were tears In her eyes and
culver in her voice as she addressed
the governess.
Miss Reade, have Just had tele-
gram to tell me that my aunt has
had paralytic stroke. My sister and
are going to her with the next train.
Will you kindly take charge here2 I
will give you all directions IL you will
come to my room. Ella, you will ex-
plain to father. dear. and be kind to
the little ones"
All was hustle and confusion for the
next two hours. and then the sisters
drove of to catch their train from the
Junction. 4
"Its too annoying" cried Major
Leigh when he arrived later in the
afternoon and was met in the hall
by Ella. eager to tell him the news.
"Just exactly my luck. Why couldn't
their aunt take Ill at some other time?
What on earth shall do? Write and
put them off, suppose"
"Put who OFF? Have you asked any.
body down" asked Ella, who was ac-
customed to her parents incoherent
style of conversation.
Il met two friends in town today"
explained her father, whom haven't
seen for six or seven years, and
asked them down for some shooting.
! suppose I must put them off,"
mo need for that" answered Ella,
with toss Of her head. "There are
plenty Of good servants. and Miss
Reade can order dinner and chaperone
me. Who are your friends, father? 1
suppose they are quite old"
"They don't think So" said the Ma.
5or with grin, though no doubt you
WILL They are some years younger
than myself, both on the sunny side of
Forty. It's too bad of the girls" went
on the Major, absently, and half for
getting his auditor. II always thought
there was something between Dot and
Ashby, and 1t would do very well now
that he has come into his uncle's prop
erty. And Courtenay's always talking
about his ideal woman. wonder what
he'd think of Laura. Run away, Ella /;
wasn't talking to you. Go and tell
Miss Reade want her."
Miss Reade was a weak and foolish
woman, who, being Incapable of ex.
ercising any control over her strong
willed pupil, managed her by means
OF gross fattery and unlimited indulg.
ence. She was writing in her own
room when Ella ran in to tell her of
the expected visitors.
"And shall have them all to N.Y.
SELF" cried the girl. exultantly; with
no sisters to keep me in the back
ground; no hateful Laura to look ma.
5estically at me IL venture to speak;
no detestable Theo to snub me. look
quite grown up, don't I, Miss Reader"
You are grown up, DEAR" replied
the 1udicious governess. "You look
quite twenty. And seventeen is a. mar.
riageable age, you know. Wouldn't II
be fun to steal march on your sisters,
and get married to one OF these gentle
men?"
"Wouldn't It? And the point is,
Miss Reade, that believe father asked
these men down to meet Laura and
Theodora-I won't call her Dot; SO
absurd to keep up baby names when
she is so old. mean to have some
tun with these men. Wouldn't II be
Jolly IL were to marry oney'
1T would indeed" Miss Reade as,
sented. SF
1T is distinct leading of Providence
that the sisters are away" laughed
Ella. III they We're at home shouldn't
have chance. ! should be kept in the
background; and besides, Laura Il
handsome and Theo really lovely"
"But you have the charm of you'll