Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-05-22

nlied Albert "Only l do. and so it is |
worse for me than for you.
"Now, you have mother and sisters
who think well of you. no doubt. How
would you have felt to have had any
one Of them peep in that night and see
what manner of company you We're in? |
NV mother is in her grave, but maybe
sbe could see where | was and with
whom was that evening. and the
thought makes me feel mean. l have a
sister. one of the purest and sweetest
little women God ever blessed the earth
with and not for all that | can earn
in one year would / have her know
what a foolish thing l did. For two
DAYS l was so ashamed of myself l felt
miserably."
Frank sat in stupefied silence at his
friends outburst IF / had imagined
YOU were going TO feel that way, old
man" he said at last, 81 would never
have urged you to go with me. l never
will again. assure you"
ooh, l am as much to blame as you"
observed Albert. Il went willingly.
but after it was all over l was sorry |.
did. | am no prude. | enjoy little
excitement and don't mind a social
evening with few friends, but it
doesn't pay to do things you despise
Yourself for the next day"
But" put in his friend, with a
quizzical look, "do you know you are
preaching a sermon, and 1 rather like
it. too? 1t sets me thinking. As for
such girls as we wined, don't care
rap for them. If could find any other
and better amusement they might go
hang for all l care. try tennis and
golf with fellows and girls in our SET
but that is tame sport. l go to 'func-
tons once in awhile, and If l dance
twice with a pretty girl who has no
dot mother glares at me and says I've
no family pride. Most of the girls
talk silly nonsense that wearies a fell
low, and the more passe they are the
worse they gush. The only thing
really enjoy is yachting. and then I
have trouble to find good fellows who
have time to go with me. Once in
awhile l get disguised with myself
and wish l had to work for living"
Albert looked surprised. Was it pos
sible that this young and handsome
fellow, with dark brown honest eyes,
curly black hair and garb and manner
of refinement, who never had known
what it was to work, really wanted to
earn his own way in the world, just
from sheer ennui?
1T seems to me you have everything
to be thankful for, Frank" Albert said
at last in a detected tone-"a kind ia
Their, good home, plenty of friends, a
| nice yacht, all the money you want
I and nothing to do. With me it is diff
! ferent. Would it bore you if l unload
ed a little OF my history?'
Not a bit" answered Frank. Il
would really like to hear it."
WELL" continued Albert, "when we
were at college l was little too proud
to let you know was the only son of
poor widow who was denying herself
every luxury to educate me, but it was
fact. After we separated l tutored
some, read law and was admitted to
/ the bar. | opened an office in my ma
/ tive town and wasted year waiting
/ for clients, while l read novels, sketch
! ed and fshed to pass the time. Last
June my mother died and left my sis
ter and me an old house that has been
in the family over a century, few
acres of meadow lands and maybe 5000
in debts. Then 1 wrote to you. 1 was
more than grateful for the chance you
obtained for me to work for even such
man as Frye. 1 am paying those
debts as fast as l can, and my sister Is
helping by teaching in crossroad
schoolhouse and walking four miles
each day to do it,"
And coaXed you to go out and
spend money on a couple of ballet
girls! responded Frank regretfully
Say, old man." reaching out his hand
and clasping Albert's, eff 1 had known
all this that evening would have bit
ten my tongue before L asked you to &c
with me-"
, THAT is all right" replied Albert. 81
should have told you that night what
l have told you now, but maybe I was
a little ashamed to do So
Il would like to see that brave sis
, ter of yours, said Frank after a pause
, From what You tell me, she must be
! trump"
, Albert made no answer, but going t.
the mantel he took a framed photo
graph that stood there and handed i
: to his friend 1t was a picture of :;
young girl with a face like an artist
dream and eyes like two pansies.
, Frank gazed at it long and earnest
ly. Your sister, l suppose he saiC
at last, still looking at the face. g
, do not wonder you preached me tn
sermon you have this evening. Yo1
: must be proud Of her"
: When it came time for him to g
the two shook hands with warme
clasp than ever, and when he wa
gone the little room did not seem quit
so cherries to its occupant as before.