Courier Democrat., 1904-05-12


For the purposes he had IN view
$500 would be none too much. The re-
naming $500 he had resolved to invest
in his sisters comfort and happiness.
He had thought the matter over and
had gradually evolved what seemed to
him an excellent plan. He had already
perfected il by correspondence with
Mrs. Renwick. 1t was, briefly. this: He.
Thorpe, would at once hire servant
girl, who would make anything but su-
pervision unnecessary in so small a
household. The remainder Of the mon-
ey he had already paid for years
tuition in the seminary Of the town.
Thus Helen gained her leisure and an
opportunity for study and still retain
ed her home in case of reverse.
Thorpe found his sister already
young lady. After the first delight of
meeting had passed they sat side by
side on the haircloth sofa and took
stock of each other.
Helen had developed from the school
child to the woman. She was hand
some girl, possessed Of slender, we'll
rounded form and deep hazel eyes, with
the level gaze of her brother, although
q figure rather aloof, face rather i'm
passive, but with the possibility Of pas
sion and emotion and will to back
them.
"Oh, but you're tanned and-and
big!' she cried, kissing her brother.
you've had such a strange winter.
haven't you?"
EYES," he replied absently. Things
came a little better than thought they
were going to toward the last. and
made little money"
"Oh, I'm so glad" she cried. WAS it
much?"
mo, not much," he answered. The
actual figures would have been so
much better. 1--WE made arrangements
with Mrs. Renwick to hire servant
girl, 90 you will have all your time free.
and I've paid years tuition for you
in the seminary"
"Oh," said the girl, and fell silent.
After a time, "Thank you very much.
Harry DEAR" then, after another inter-
val, II think I'll go get ready for sup.
per-"
Instead of getting ready for supper
she paced excitedly up and down her
room.
"Oh, why didn't he say what he was
about?" she cried to herself. "Why
didn't he? Why didn't he?"
The days, however, passed in the
main pleasurably for them both. They
were fond of one another. The bar
rier slowly rising between them was
not yet cemented by lack of affection
On either side. but rather by lack Of
belief in the others affection. Helen
imagined Thorpe's interest in her be-
coming daily more perfunctory. Thorpe
fancied his sister cold, unreasoning
and ungrateful. And yet this was but
the vague dust Of cloud. They
could not forget that but for each other
they were alone in the world. Thorpe
delayed his departure from day to day,
making all the preparations he possi-
bly, could at home.
Finally Helen came on him busily
unpacking box which dray had left
at the door. He unwound and laid one
side Winchester rife, variety Of
fishing tackle and some other miscella-
MES of the woodsman. Helen was
struck By the beauty of the sporting
implements.
"Oh, Harry" she cried. "Aren't they
fine? What are you going to do with
them?"
"Going camping" replied Thorpe,
with his head in excelsior.
"When?'
'.This summer"
Helen's eyes lit up with fire Of de-
light. "How eice! May go with
you?" she cried.
Thorpe shook his head.
"1'm afraid not, little girl. It's 60
ing to be hard trip long ways from
anywhere. You couldn't stand it."
"I'm sure l could. Try me-"
"No," replied Thorpe. II know you
couldn't Well be sleeping on the
ground and going on foot through
much extremely difficult country"
II wish you'd take me somewhere"
pursued Helen. II can't get away this
summer unless you do. Why don't you
camp somewhere nearer home. SO / can
go?"
Thorpe arose and kissed her tenderly
II can't, little girl; that's all. We've
got our way to make"
She understood that he considered
the trip too expensive for them both.
At this moment paper futtered from
the excelsior. She picked it up. A
glance showed her a total of figures
that made her gasp.
'Here is your bill," she said, with a
strange choke in her voice, and left the
room.
"He can spend SEQ on his old guns.
but he can't afford to let me leave this
hateful house." she complained to the
apple tree. "He can go way of camp
ing somewhere to have a good time,
but he leaves me sweltering in this
miserable little town all summer. l
don't care II he is supporting me. He
eusht to. He's my brother. Oh, wish