The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1904-07-14
Little Sister
-. BY -.
r. ID. WRIGHT
Observation-Disclosures

Aren't you going to answer my
question: Won't you take me with
yout"
Clifford Nane turned with surprise
as he heard the voice \ girl with
deep brown eyes and hair IN which
there was tint Of gold was standing
beside the boat. her skirts blown out
against her slender figure. The iiuttcr-
ing sail had made so much noise that
Vane had not heard the girl before.
lie frOwncd unconsciOusly, for hc was
IN no humOr for company.
IT'S too rough today. There's
nasty sea running. and you'll get wet
through" he answered.
AS II cared for that! And IL it's
80 rough why do you venture OutT
Because | want to. Because II suits
my mood"
The words sounded rude, but Mar
Ioric Winthrop knew from the Intent
expression on Nancs face as lie gaIcd
out Oh the black clouds, the sullcn
green water of the bay and the wind
blown whitccaps that lie was speak
lHE Ill'l' w lllilN'll Nilhll w. h''s
"And IL II suits my mood
"You with moods. Childf" Nane said
wondcrngly. What can you know Of
thoughts black enough to suit with
such day. Go back to your dolls or
read your pretty fairy love stories and
believe in their truth as long as you
can" he added bitterly.
"Nou think because I'm only seven
teen I'm not to feel and think"
Think only Of pleasant things"
"But II the day suits me 1t is pleas.
ant Please take me-"
what will your mother say"
"She won't care. She only thinks Of
he different but I'm not such valu-
able cargo. No one will bother about
me"
There was quaver In the girls vote"
that made Vanc look at her. She was
looking ont over the yeasty water with
misty eyes and set mouth
IAN right" said Nane after II mo
mcnt's hesitation. "Im In II reckless
mood. Let fate take care Of us. What
will be will he. Jump in."
1t was II gusty day. and the Dot. too
light for such weather. her lee rail al
most under water. staggered under the
flaws. every now and then burying her
nose into the rollers and sending n
shower of spray into the boat Nane
had nil he could do TO manage her and
for II tim" forgot his compn Mon and al
most his gloomy thoughts In the grim
pleasure of his contest with wind and
storm dashed sea, II was Edith Win.
throp he was thinking Of. the woman
who had led him on To love her and
then thrown him over for another man.
Edith did not care. Every one must
be sacrificed for her amusement yes.
even This child. her sister. At the
thought he glanced ~ the girl where
she sat poised ont Ia windward. like
some spirit Of the sea. her hair blowing
in the wind. her cheeks aglow with "X-
element. her eyes fixed with far
away look on the horizon. Nnnc had
never noticed how pretty she was be
fore. lie had always thought of her
as Il mere child and 10. she was II wO.
man. What was she thinking Of? he
wondered
As II in answer TO the question. Mar
iorir turned and met his eyes for an
instant and then looked away.
you've heard of Edith's engage
mentt" she said.
YES" answered Nane. setting his
teeth hard, 81 only found it out to.
day"
II knew II weeks ago You thought
she cared for YOU
Yes"
You might have known she didn't
Van Allstynr is Il richer man than you
in money It's wealth and power she
wants, and attention and admiration.
Love. She doesn't know what II
means. And you thought she had II
heart" cried the girl This sea has
more
81 know It now" said vane, when
it's too late"
And you-cnn YOU care for her still?"
asked Marjorie after silence.
"Ncs-nt least | care for the ideal
thought her"
what did you think her."
Grave, courageous, noble hearted,
with a soul as beautiful rs her body. n
comrade for man. TO face with him
the storms of life. woman tender and
true, to fight for and dare for. would
have tried TO give her everything she
wanted. No man can love her rs
do-and now Nanc laughed bitterly
AZ an ending To his sentence,
"Why did you come ont today in this
gale said Marjorie. lis your life
so worthless TO you that YOU would risk
II because thoughtlcSs woman has
wounded you?"
MY life! What does il matter? |
don't care"
Il thought YOU didn't" returned the
girl graveIy. II knew you didn't. That's
why came. couldn't let you come
a,