Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-03-23
Little Sister
-. By.
F. 3. WRIGHT
Copyright, 1908, by T. G. Mcclure


cscscsoscsoscOsCscsCscscsC
aren't you going to answer my
question? Won't you take me with
your
Clifford Vane turned with surprise
as he heard the voice A 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 futter-
ing sail had made SO much noise that
Vane had not heard the girl before
He frowned unconsciously, for he was
in no humor for company
tits too rough today. There's q
nasty sea running, and you'll get wet
through he answered.
"As If / cared for that! And if it's
so rough why do you venture out?"
Because want to. Because it suits
my mood"
The words sounded rude, but Mar
jorie Winthrop knew from the intent
expression on Vane's face as he gazed
out on the black clouds, the sullen
green water Of the bay and the wind
blown whitecaps that he was speak
ing more to himself than to her.
"And if it suits my moOdY'
You with moods, Child?' Vane said |
wonderingly. 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
cam" he added bitterly.
You think because I'm only seven
teen-l'm not to feel and think"
Think only of pleasant things"
but II the day suits me it is pleas
ant Please take me-
What will your mother sayT
"She won't care. She only thinks Of
Edith. If it was Edith, now, it would
be different. but I'm not such valu-
able cargo. No one will bother about
me-"
There was quaver in the girls voice
that made Vane look at her She was
looking out over the yeasty water with
misty eyes and set mouth.
"All right" said Vane after mo-
ments hesitation. "I'm in a reckless
mood. Let fate take care of us. What ,
will be will be. Jump in."
1t was gusty day, and the Dot, too
light for such weather, her lee rail al !
most under water. staggered under the
laws. every now and then burying her +
lose into the rollers and sending a (;
shower Of spray into the boat. Vane
lad all he could do to manage her and :.
or time forgot his companion and al !,
most his gloomy thoughts in the grim
leasure of his contest with wind and
torn dashed sea. 1t was Edith Win Il
hrop he was thinking Of the woman '
Tho had led him on to love her and u
hen thrown him over for another man.
'dith did not care. Every one must X
e sacrificed for her amusement-yes, Ii
ven this Child, her sister At the nj
bought he glanced ut the girl where
he sat poised out to windward, like
me spirit of the sea. her hair blowing
the wind, her cheeks aglow with ex- B
tement. her eyes fixed with far a
way look on the horizon. Vane had
,ver noticed how pretty she was be- in
re. He had always thought of her w
q mere child, and, 10, she was wO- nc
an. What was she thinking Of? he SC
ordered. fin
AS If in answer to the question, Mar
rie turned and met his eyes for an yo
slant and then looked away. til
You've heard of Ediths engage. pu
ant" she said. n
Yes" ansn cred Vane, setting his ha
eth hard. 81 only found it out to- his
v" an
Il knew It weeks ago You thought ed
. cared for youT' I
Yes" Org
You might have known she didn't. lik
n Alls:yne is a richer man than you in
n money. It's wealth and power she got
nts, and attention and admiration. to
vel She doesn't know what 1t RI
ans. And you thought she had A
TT" cried the girl. This sea has vor
re-" t,u
know it now" said Vane. when ba
too late" non
And you-Can you care for her still?" IT
Cd Marjorie after silence. and
ies-at least care for the ideal / wb,
lght her" mo,
What did you think herr" isbo
Grave. courageous. noble hearted, hmm
4 a soul as beautiful as her body, a cont
rade for man, to face with him CONC
storms Of life, woman tender and tho
to fight for and dare for. would vers
, tried to give her everything she
ted. No man can love her as
and now Vane laughed bitterly ~,
n ending to his sentence. O.'
ihy did you come out today in this , Ya..'
2: said Marjorie. as your life Ho,e
o-thless to you that you would risk 60 60
acause thoughtless woman has u u".
nded your n nss
coron payil
thought you didn't" returned the go. go"
;ravely. ~ knew you didn't. That's p- ca,
l came. I couldn't let you como e. an
J." "eu'
"a 1850 Of hi
-, S0 S"u tent,