The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-02-20
A LOVE STORY.
A Sweet Little Tale of Two Sisters ant

''an old lady of 40 or more," as my lit tie granddaughter affectionately de- scribes me-yet it was once glossy and black as a ravens wing, my eyes a deep violet blue, and was called "the beautiful Miss Clifton" My sister was a heroine-I always knew it, even long before it was proven. was thought less, though generous, child in those early days, and long after my hair was 'up," and dresses down." Just after I left school I wanted to go to Florida to have winter of gayety at my aunt's hospitable home in Tallahassee "a center of social life then. My i father refused to let me leave home so soon again, was his especial pet, and he was growing old, he said. How , ever. set my heart on it, and was not easily daunted. ..s
 Mir. Drybones happened to call that evening, and an idea entered my fool- l ish head. In a weeks time I triumph antly announced, with wave of the hand on which a magnificent diamond now glittered, that would be in Talla- hasse before Christmas. My father, with wide open eyes, and a half avert ed smiled, said, Come into my office, Kate" I went in, expecting very { serious conversation, but, to my great relief, he merely handed me some bank notes and said earnestly. Let us hear no more of this nonsense, Kate. Get ready and I will take you myself, down to Florida. have not visited my sister in some years, 1t will do us all good"
 1 In short time we were at my aunt's. had royal time, and came near ' being ruined for life, so much fiattering attention did I receive on account of my fair face. and high spirit much of which doubtless came from good di- gestion and the being never crossed in my wishes. Cousin Jack foolishly inn agined himself my lover, and this was unpleasant. did not wish to go home { yet awhile, and to refuse him and stay on was impossible. He should have waited. concluded and deserved to suffer. So let him believe it was all right, that merely waited till at home, l when the announcement of our engage 1 ment would be made. At times I felt myself to be a criminal. Jack was his 1 mothers darling, and of course she 1 thought was won, and showered all l kinds of goodness on my undeserving head. I would not let myself think but gave myself up to the passing hour of enjoyment. We had such fun. rides through the woods before breakfast-- when every dewdrop was a world of beauty-picnics, croquets. nut hunts, candy pullings, drives through the crisp air behind the thoroughbreeds. hoy rid- serenades at night, the serenades be- ing our admirers themselves.
 Each evening ended by dance. either at my aunt's or at the house of some neighbor a few miles out of town. Oh, those were days to live in. Hard times, money troubles, never even heard of; even sickness seemed known. One day MT. Wallace, a friend of my sisters, called, to make sure of his welcome on his return" he said. Just then death occurred in my uncle's | family, which caused cessation of the gayety in our little circle. was very glad to see any one from home. MT. Wallace was cordially invited to come lover as often as possible, to cheer us up. He continued his stay from day to day, and offered to wait till was ready to return and become my escort home. .-.. L
 The time was not far now and he was frequently an honored guest at my fathers home. How it happened never could tell, but this I felt; my beauty was never all-suffieient again; his approval was necessary for my happiness; with him I felt in shelter feared nought from the world, nor aught in it, could speak or be silent without awkwardness; without him was alone, surrounded, .......
 Cousin Jack was away on business, and I determined to leave before he could return. My father and sister met us at the station. At sight or us she turned pale, with joy at my return, egosticalIy thought at the moment. She seemed older, quieter than ever be- fore-but long after, only, did sup pect the truth. .
 I had been married some years when an accident made me aware of her great heroisrn and wonderful self control It seems that my husband had first courted her. and she had deeply returned his devotion. Our father would not consent to her marriage, just then; she was too young, he thought, and 1t would be better for both to wait. In two years time, he said, if they still wish it, he would heartily approve.
 They consented. My Wallace went South to look after the property of a client, when, hearing accidentally of my being in Tallahassee, he, as a cour- tesy to her, stopped to see me. There was no need for haste, so he tarried. In reality we seemed made for each other. had never heard of his courtship of my sister, being off at boarding school, and my sister was always reserved, as are most deep natures. For honor's sake he fully intending sacrificing his own happiness, but she saw at once how it was, and that my own, as well as my lovers happiness was involved, and would not hear of their union. She insisted that I be kept in ignorance of their former plans. My father demurr- ed but she said it would spoil three lives if knew, so all was kept quiet.
 She left home and wrote that she would not return until the cake was baked, the invitations out, for my -r-