Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-06-13
,gUZETTE,y
SOLUTION
BY Il. NJ. Daviss Ogden
COPYRIGHT. 1908. By Z. c. Parcels


time and the woman who all the morn
,ng had been wandering restlessiy
ahout the house forced her reluctant
oo,seiousness TO the realization Of the
fact that soon. very soon. Suzette
,vond he here. Suzette, after her four
xears at an eastern college. was COM
inc 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 sayl
sanford's letter spoke for itself. In
clear. unmlstakable terms It begged
suxette TO give up that long dreamed
NJ year In Europe and come back and
marry him. His anxiously awaited
promotion had arrived. He was at last
"a a position to ask the fulhllment OF
their boy and girl pledge. Helena
knew we'll enough what the letter con-
famed. Had she not practically die
tated the substance OF It?
And Suzette's only answer had been
n noncommlttal 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
,shly TO the sisters mind Since SUI
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
cd his regiment TO the Philippines
Had the trouble begun, then, won
dered Helena duly. when triangular
chain OF correspondence linked the
three? Or was It not until Sanford
had come to Helena first to talk about
the absent Suyette, then 10 argue and
tease about her own concerns and. last.
Is. 10 discuss that never firing topic of
conversation to man-himselfi Hell.
ena could not tell. bat lightly. unthink-
ingiy, they had drifted along until all
unwittingly sudden shock laid bare
the truth to lover and sister that q new
feeling, stronger. deeper, had taken the
place Of that childish affection.
Sanford, manlike had wanted TO ad-
nit the truth and face the conse-
uuences but Helena. her heart fiery
turmoil Of conflicting emotions, would
not listen. She who. although only
year and half the elder, had been al.
ways mother, nurse, everything 10 the
cherished little slster-she TO be the one
to destroy that sisters happiness.
break forever her faith In humankind?
'lmpossihle" cried Helena, her gray
eyes dark with anguish. and from that
determination she could not be shaken.
despite Roberts most impassioned
pleadings.
y cannot hurt Suzstte' was her
answering answer. and at last Rob.
ert, desperate, had written Suzctte
Since the thing must be met let II be
met al once. Let them be married Mt
once and return to the Philippines. 1t
was the only remedy either could see.
And so 1t was that Helena Crosby
could see nothing fair or lovely in the
clear, warm sunshine, the rustling
bird filed trees. When would Suzette
conner And what would be the end?
This was all her tired brain could |
carry.
There was crisp football In the |
street sharp tinkle OF the bell. then |
The sound OF Suzette's voice In low /
interchange Of words; retreatIng. |
heavier footstep. The next moment |
TIE 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 |
eders face. Helena tried TO smile
III IS nothing. sweetheart" she an
swered- "only touch OF headache"
failing back on woman's never falling /
excuse. ''oh. Suzette! How glad am
to see you!"
snzette laughed. hugglng her close.
Ihe girls cheeks were flushed TO a
vivid pink; her blue eyes. her piquant |
httie mouth, Der wavy soft brown hair
all seemed alive. a-quiver with youth /
and toyousness. A breath from the |
brilliant, blcssomy outer world seemed
10 have strayed In with her. A sob
rose In Helen's throat. How soon-ah.
now soon would Robert forget
snzette. tossing of hat and gloves.
turned suddenly and. catching the older
GIFTS hands, pulled her down into the
Dig chair, so often the shelter for them
both Her eyes were serious now.
Tell me what II all means" she
demanded practically. "Why is Rob
ert In such hurry all at once? He
seems to have existed without me hith-
erto fairly WELL" with an amused little
laugh. why. then. this sudden eager
nessp
His promotion-his return to the
fhlippines," stammered Helena. 1t
was going to be even harder than she
had fancied. II to give up Robert to
an Invisible. intangible little sister had
been difficult enough. the renounclng