The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-11-30

dull.
The boy removed his hat and wiped hi
forehead.
"But, Phil, if you go to the city wha
will become of me?' queried his sister il
weak voice.
"You? Why can't you stay here will
Aunt Matty and Uncle Ned?' Their
was genuine surprise in the boys voice
and this was increased when he saw tina
Bess had turned a shade paler than usual
'Oh, yes, I suppose I could stay
was the quiet answer, "but did it eve
occur to you that I might be lonely, and
and-''
There was a suspicious weakness in thu
voice, and when it grew husky the cir
stopped .and turned her face away.
s'Why, Bess, I don't see-why, il
time I'd take you to the city, too. TG
get good position and work up in it and
ther we live there together
eyes, but how many years would
have to waltz resentfully replied the girl
"Do you think Ed Spencer could support
his sister? And if he could, why doesn
he? I'm sure he has hard enough time
to pinch along
"But,' began Phil in self -extenuation,
"I'm not like Ed Spencer in some re-
spects, and-''
"No, and I'm thankful you're not, -
interrupted Bess.
A glow of pride made Phil quiet and
more thoughtful. He remembered now that
Eds sister worked hard at dressmaking,
besides her duties on the farm, to make
both ends meet. In dim way he seemed
to remember several of Eds selfish ways
when they were school companions, and
he admitted that he did not treat his sister
very literally. The fash of the roll of
bills appeared before his mind, and he
wondered if Ed would present his hard
worked sister with some of the money.
Probably they were allfor her-a birthday
present, perhaps, for Mandy was sixteen
that month.
"Oh, Ed has his bad points, he re-
piled, "and so has every fellow. But he s
doing we'll in the city, and don't see why
I shouldn't do as well. I was always
smarter in my studies than Ed"
eyes, and in everything else," Loyalty
responded Bess.
"Then, why shouldn't go to the city
and make something of myself? 1 Can
never do it here"
"Phil, I don think you would do much
better" protested Bess. "In few years
now, you we-will have the farm all to
ourselves. Uncle Ned and Aunt Matty
must turn it over to us then-they only
hold it in trust until you become of age,
you know-and they'll be glad to get rid
of the responsibility. Then we can-''
Phil kicked viciously at stone. This
sort Of argument did not please him.
"But, Bess, there's no money in farm
ing he interrupted. "Uncle Ned says
that, and everybody else. What's the
use of killing yourself on the farm for
nothing?''
"But what would you do with it?'
gasped Bess in surprise.
"Oh, sell it, or let Uncle Ned run ii
until become of age. Then "a new
light shone in his eyes-"then the money
will start me in business I'll have the
experience, and-and-''
Oh, Phil exclaimed Bess in panied
voice. elbow would you sell it p
"Why not p stubbornly asked Phil.
Bess did not reply. If he could not
understand the sacredness of the associa,
tions that clustered about the old home
stead, she could not make him. She
turned abruptly and walked away, but moi
until Phil saw tear glisteningin her eyes,
"Girls are so funny and-and-unrea
souing,' the discontented boy remarked
aloud.
Phil was strong minded and determined
in his way Once his mind was made up,
it was difficult for him to change his point
of view. For three years now he had beer
steadily drifting toward this important de
cision He longed for the city, and wished
to make his mark in a wider field thar
farming.
Bess will be terribly disappointed a
first he reasoned, "and she II be lonely
the first month. But She II soon see tht
wisdom of my way. When I can take he
to the city she will have happier time Of
it than here
Nothing further was said of his changt
of plans for few days, but Phil could no
fail to notice the change in Bess's appear
ance. Her face was pale and demure, ane
the eyes looked as if she had spent sleeples
nights worrying over the matter.
"I wish she wouldn't take it so tt
heart Phil reflected more than once
Then little irritably, "Girls expect 81
much of brothers. They want to tie then
down TO their apron strings.
This sort of argument did not tend tt
convince Phil of his mistaken line O
thought.
A week later he had fully made up hi
mind to carry out his long cherished plans
One afternoon he walked over to the ole
Spencer home to get Eds city address
He would write to his old companion ant
find out what he could do for him.
The Spencer home was a tumbledown
neglected farm of some half dozen acres
The only one of the family, in Phil esti
nation in the past, was Mandy; but th'
odds were against her in the uphill strug
gle, and today Phils heart beat sympa
thetically for her.
She was pale and then, and worried
expression marked her face. At the sigh
of Phil she flushed and tried to straighter
out the stray locks of hair on her head ant
to arrange her faded dress.
"rve been so busy she apologizet
''that I've hardly had time to fix up de
Gently
Phil laughed and tried to make her fee
at ease.
"I've come over to get Eds address ii
the city," he said pleasantly, after a few
moments of conversation. 81 want Il
write to him."
"rm not sure I have it," Mandy re
piled. blushing deeper than before. "Et