Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-10-02

FIRST" he reasoned, land she'll be lonely
the first month. But she'll soon see the
wisdom of my way. When 1 can take
her to the city she viii have a happier
time of 1t than here"
Nothing further was said of his
change of plans for a few days, but
Phil could not fail TO notice the charge
in Bess' appearance. Her face was
pale and demure, and the eyes looked
as II she had spent sleepless nights
worrying over the matter.
~ wish she wouldn't take 1t so to
heart" Phil reflected more than once.
Then little irritably, "Girls expect so
much of brothers. They want to tie
them down to their apron strings"
This sort of argument did not tend to
convince Phil of his mistaken line of
thought.
A week later he had fully made up
his mind to carry out his long-cherished
plans One afternoon he walked over
to the old Spencer home to get Eds
city address. He would write to his
old companion and find what he could
do for him.
The Spencer home was a tumble
down, neglected farm Of some half
dozen acres. The only one of the fam
lily, In Phil's estimation in the past.
was Mandy; but the odds were against
her in the uphill struggle, and to-day
Pills heart beat alphabetically for
her.
She was pale and thin, and worried
expression marked her face. At the
sight of Phil she flushed, and tried to
straighten out these stray locks Of nair
on her head and to arrange her faded
dress.
I've been so busy" she apologlzed,
that I've had hard time to fix up de.
Gently"
Phil laughed and tried to make her
feel at ease.
1--WE come over to get Eds address
in the city," he said pleasantly, after
few moments of conversation. 81
want to write to him.
'I'm not sure l have It," Mandy re.
piled, blushing deeper than before. I'D
has changed it several times lately
He doesn't seem to stay In one place
long"
1--WE always heard that they move
often In the city," Phil answered. 81
suppose he's rising so rapidly that hi
; has to change every little while to bet
ter quarters"
Mandy tried to laugh at this sugges
ton, but it was a poor attempt.
I'D ls very restless" she venturet
finally. "He lost his old position, yoJ
know, and don't know whether he will
like his new one"
mo; l didn't know he had lost thu
old one" returned Phil slowly.
Eyes, there was something that-tha
well, Ed is very restless. l wish b
was nearer home, 30 could look aftel
him a little"
II think all sisters want their broth
ers under their WINGS" replied Phil
with a laugh. "Bess now doesn't wan
me to go to the city to work"
"Are you thinking Of going" Quickl!
asked Mandy Spencer.
"Yes-that is, Ed said he could &c
me a position II"
Mandy dropped her sewing, and will
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, sale
vehemently: please don't go, then
} Phil-for Bess' sake and NINE"
"Why-what-"
swell, because-well miss you, ant
, then you'll be happier here. Ed is no
, doing as well as you think, and"
) "I'm not sure Of that. He seemed t.
have plenty of money with him las
week. But l suppose he gave 1t to yol
: for a birthday present"
:. Birthday present? Oh, did you re
member that my birthday was las
week? I'm so glad. l thought"
t Didn't Ed remember it?"
{ Mandy bent over her work and mad
) no reply. She was too loyal to max
l any confession that would reflect upol
her brother.
' When they parted a few minute
later, she took Pills hand, and salt
? earnestly: "Please do not leave Bess-
4 and me. We should miss you so much
Phil"
D Phil walked home in an uncertnIl
a state of mind. Somehow his desire t,
e go to the city cooled down, and tn
t sight Of two anxious faces made hin
= hesitate.
: ED Is about as selfish as ever" b.
9 acknowledged. "A fellow with all o
. his money who doesn't remember hi
own sisters birthday is a good deal o
. | A." ~
He didn't finish the sentence, but b.
= knew pretty well in his own mind wha
3 he meant Suddenly he stopped In hi
9 walk. A strangely Unpleasant though
r occurred to him. Was he also selfisl
and thOughtless because he ignore,
y Bess' wishes and desires2 No; a DO,
had to make his way In the world
1 even II he did sacrifice the old home
" stead.
a Phil deferred writing his letter t
J. Ed for a full week. Then something
" happened that made it unnecessary. Il
r one Of the city papers there was
small news item tucked away In a col