The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-22


thing to do for him--I thought so
much of him-and it pleased me to
do it that way, all by myself, without
anyone's knowing it, If had told you
there was nothing to hide about 1t,
IS if 1t we're wrong-Dut we should
have discussed it and argued about It,
and said whose turn 1t was to do It
next, and had we better, and what
would Mrs. Fosdick say, and every
body; and / didn't want to-it was like
alike a little sacrament to mel oh,
| don't suppose you can understand"
She stopped a moment, breathing
quickly, her voice very much broken
indeed, but her sisters were quite 81
lent, looking down at their sewing,
and after a moment she went on. Il
was always that way, ever since we
were little girls and had the gardense
You know l care more for you than
for anything in the world and shouldn't
have a moments happiness away from
you; but I've always wanted little
own-things-to do and haye-things
that nobody else touched or talked
about. | know it's dreadful to feel
that way-you don't. It's because |
was born selfish, suppose. And it all
looks so innocent and right to me be-
forehand, and then - afterward--so
wrong. didn't even have the cour-
age to tell you yesterday-though !
should, you know, presently-and SO
made all this trouble for Letty-and
the anxiety. l couldn't have imagined
1t would turn out that way. OF course
shall never do it any more, but
wanted you to know how it was
how felt. And you can blame me as
much as you choose. / know ! de-
serve It"
She stopped again, and stood, quite
meek and desolate. though with sort
OF unhappy dignity, waiting for their
further condemnation. But when Har-
riet spoke, after moments silence. 1t
was in quite a different tone.
Il don't think" she said, slowly and
trying to steady most unusual tremor
in her voice. Il don't think we have
anything t blame you for, Letitia. 1t
was as much our fault as yours.
don't think we knew-Josephine and
that you felt that way. If you dol
don't quite understand it myself. but
we can't expect everybody to be made
alike. And if you wanted things Of
your own, as you say, think you
ought to have them. We are not young
any more, and we've lived together
so long. and suppose we have grown
to be sort of jealous and exacting
about each other But it oughtn't to
be so; and If it's come to anybody's s
being unhappy, and having to keep
things secret because Of their being
meddled with-why, it's time it was
different. I guess it viii be different
after this, Leritia. If we can just un-
derstand each other"
Letitia's eyes overflowed. She went
over and put her hand on Harriet's
shoulder, shyly.
You're too good to mel" she Said.
You're the best woran, Harriet. and
the wisest. When you speak like that
my little fancies look so foolish;
know then that don't want anything
in the world but just you and Jose
phinel"
She held out her other hand to 10
sephine, who brushed away a furtive
tear.
ITS all right, Of course. Letitia, !"
she said with a somewhat qucrulous
kindness. We've no reason to be
hard on each other. We all have our
faults and pecnliarities, and it's a
wonder we get along as well as we do,
/ think, consideringi If we only un-
derstand each other, as Harriet says,
and don't try to work at cross-puF-
poses, AS for this affair. don't see
that it's so dreadful after all, now that
you've explained it. And there's one
thing. Mrs. Fosdick shall never know
that she's made any trouble. Wen
60 right on taking things to the min
lister, and tell her we approve OF it,
and always did, and propose that she
suggest Il to some of the other ladies'.
Oh. wen manage it! And, Letitia,
should like to know how you ever got
them in that window without his
knowing!"
Why" said LetitIa; and then she
began to laugh, and then she cried q
little, and then she laughed again,
quite helplossly. And they all felt as
II the sun had come out suddenly after
a most deplorably dark and bitter day.
How foolish ami Oh how foolish /
ami" said Letitia, wiping her eyes.
why couldn't the Lord have made
all as sensible as Harriet? I'll tell
you all about it, Josephine, by and bye,
aad we'll make the things together.
But I must go up and see Lefty now.
must. Is she awake?"
Yes" said Josephine. "She's had
her neakfast. "Oh, Letitial" she
called. as her sister went up the stairs,
you can go to that concert, you know,
with Miss Dalrympie, II you want to.
l guess you'd better. on the whole"
And Letitia laughed again, her heart
swelling with penitent gratitude and
and affection.
She opened the door Of Letty's room
and paused, standing on the thresh-
old. The girl was awake. and lay quiet