Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1906-08-24
yUZETTE,S
SOLUTION
BY Il. M. DaVics Ogden

ing had been wandering restlessly
about the house forced her reluctant
consciousness to the realization of the
fact that soon, very soon, Suzette
would be here. Suzette, after her four
years at an eastern college, was COM
ing home And what was she, Helena
Crosby, going to say to the girl? 1t
was in answer to Helena's own urgent
appeal that the girl was coming-that
and Sanford's letter. Despite the
warmth of the sweet June day Helena
( shivered. What was she to say?
Sanford's letter spoke for itself In
clear, unmistakable terms it begged
Suzette to give up that long dreamed
of year in Europe and come back and
marry him. His anXiously awaited
promotion had arrived. He was at last
in position to ask the fulfllment of
their boy and girl pledge Helena
knew well enough what the letter con-
tanned. Had she not practically die
tated the substance of it?
And Suzette's only answer had been
noncommittal telegram, Starting for
home today"
Did she. mean to marry Robert or
did she not? That was the question
which over and over again rose fever
ishly to the sisters mind Since Su-
Zette was sixteen and Robert twenty.
three the two had been engaged; or,
rather, there had been an understand
ing between them. Then SuZette had
gone to college and Robert had follow
ed his regiment to the Philippines.
Had the trouble begun, then, Won
dered Helena duly, when a triangular
chain of correspondence linked the
three? Or was it not until Sanford
had come to Helena first to talk about
the absent Suzette, then to argue and
tease about her own concerns and, last
ly, to discuss that never firing topic of
conversation to q man-himSelf? Hell
ena could not tell, but lightly, unthink-
ingly, they had drifted along until all
unwittingly a sudden shock laid bare
the truth to lover and sister that new
feeling, stronger, deeper, had taken the
place of that childish affection
Sanford, manlike, had wanted to adj
NIT the truth and face the conse-
quences. but Helena, her heart fiery
turmoil of conflicting emotions, would
not listen. She who, although only a
year and half the elder, had been al
ways mother, nurse, everything to the
cherished little sister-she to be the one
to destroy that sisters happiness,
break forever her faith in humankind?
''Impossible" cried Helena, her gray
eyes dark with anguish, and from that
determination she could not be shaken,
despite Roberts most impassioned
pleadings
Il cannot hurt Suzette," was her
answering answer, and at last Rob-
ert, desperate, had written Suzette
Since the thing must be met let it be
met at once. Let them be married at
once and return to the Philippines. It
was the only remedy either could see.
And so it was that Helena Crosby
could see nothing fair or lovely in the
clear, warm sunshine, the rustling
bird filled trees. When would SuZette
come? And what would be the end?
This was all her tired brain could
carry.
There was crisp football in the
street. a sharp tinkle of the bell, then
the sound of Suzettes voice in Il low
interchange of words; a retreating.
heavier footstep. The next moment
the girl had sprung into the room
Her arms closed about Helena.
why, you darlingr' she cried
why, Helena, DEAR" as her quick eye
noted the signs of suffering in the
elders face. Helena tried to smile
ut is nothing, sweetheart" she an
swered. "Only a touch of headache"
falling back on woman's never failing
excuse. ooh, Suzette! How glad an
to see you!"
Suzette laughed, hugging her close
The girls cheeks were flushed to a
vivid pink; her blue eyes, her piquant
little mouth, her wavy soft brown hair
all seemed alive, a-quiver with youth
and joyousness. A breath from the
brilliant, blOSsomy outer world seemed
to have strayed in with her. A sob
Il,
how soon would Robert forget
Suzette, tossing off hat and gloves,
turned suddenly and catching the older
girls hands, pulled her down into the
big chair, so often the shelter for them
both. Her eyes were serious now.
Tell me what it all MEANS" she
demanded practically. 'Why is Rob-
nrfi in
seems to have existed without me hith-
erto fairly WELL" with an amused little
laugh. why, then, this sudden eager
nesS?'
His promotion-his return to the
Philippines" stammered Helena. 1t
was going to be even harder than she
had fancied. If to give up Robert to
an invisible, intangible little sister had
been difficult enough, the renouncing
of him to this radiant, splendid young
creature "He-he thinks best" she
faltered. He
HE thinks l will go with him to the
Philippines" put in Suzette keenly.
''Ir' There was incredulous protest in
every line of the pretty face.
Helena flushed.
"Why, surely, dear, as his wife,
she began, but Suzette interrupted
Not Iw she declared decisively
mo heather lands for me, It's alb
surdr'
Absurd" echoed Helena. But ST.
zctte, dear-if you love him. Surely
You love him?" she insisted streuu