The Carlisle independent., 1909-09-02

 feeting glance he had of them told him they were people from a world unknown to him the last few years. He did not see that the man in the carriage had turned and was looking earnestly back at him.
 \ woman's light laugh foated back; there was the scent of violet in the air Lester's thoughts went back to days which it was his constant en- deaFor to forget. She had had such laugh. and she had always about her faint odor of viclets. He gave his shoulders an impatient shake. and quiekened his horses movement He would not let the memory of those past days take possession of his mind.
 When within a half mile of the vii lage he reached road leading direct. ly to the river The thought came te him that there would be some inter. est in seeingthe river at nearer range. He turned his horse in that direction He rode slowly. taking in the breadth of landscape before him. Suddenly 9 ehild's cry awoke the stiffness. Les. ter looked around. At the side of the road sat a child, a girl of four or five years. She was holding one foot iu , both her small hands.
 "HeIlo." exclaimed Lester. jumping from his horse. What is the matter. little one?"
 The little child looked up at him i My foot, it hurts" There was 6 fresh burst Of tears. And I'm lost. l want to go back"
 Lester bent over her. She was g beautiful little creature. She had a Brofusion of brown wavy hair and great gray eyes shaded by thick dark i Iashes.
 She cried softly as Lester examined her foot. She had evidently turned her ankle violently in walking over the rough stones of the road.
 "Where do you Hye?' asked Les. ter. Don't cry, I'll take you home ,
 Don't live here, we're at the hotel. " She stopped crying, and looked at Lester with the confidence which the glance of his eyes and his smile al ways won for him.
 At the hotel2 We'll, my horse will take Us there very soon" He lifted her in his arms. and placing her on his saddle. sBrang up behind her. She belongs, 10 doubt. to those peo- pie that Morris said are staying over on account of the food, he thought
 The little girl leaned against him comfortably Lester chatted gayly to her. and soon she was laughing merrily. Her name was Dolly, she told him. and she had run away be. cause she wanted to see the river.
 By the time they reached the viii lage and were riding up to the hotel. she seemed to have forgotten the pain in her foot. The street seemed deserted and there was no one visible about the hotel except a young woman stand ing on the yeranda which ran around the building Dolly called out as she say her: Here I am! Here I am!"
 The young woman screamed anu ran down to the road.
 "oh, Dolly. Dolly. you naughty child."
 Then as Lester drew rein, she saw his face. You, John!"
 Lester had turned white to the lips. "Is this your child?" he asked. his voice sharp.
 He had dismounted and held the child in his arms My childl" she returned, impetuously. "No, John, l am not married. No" as Lester made a movement toward her Mat ters are unchanged but l am going to tell you what I would not before. because l did not want to appear as trying to influence you to accept your steBm0tner She-is my sister. She was married to your father while I was at France in school I did not know for some time after l met you that you were her stepson. When it was known to mel decided not to marry you But now-Well, Dolly is your stepsister She was left with ne this morning while your father and my sister went for a drive with another member Of our party Sud. EE4IlE 6lIC N cS ltAaHEt4 O4lt NdS SC frightened-you father adores her. and if anything had happened to her and oh. John, to think that you found her!"
 Lester had stood rigid and white during this explanation, his eyes on i the sweet face of the speaker.
 Now he folded the little girl closely in his arms and rested his cheek ! against hers.
 T have been a fool" he said, terse. l ly. "Fll tell my father and your sis ter so. Is she as sweet as you, Alice 2"
 Much nicer than I. Oh, John, your father will be so happy to have you back
 And you. Alice? Will you have me now?"
 Yes. John"
 Lester laughed happily. T must carry Dolly in. Her foot must be at tended to- She has hurt it." i Dolly seemed to thoroughly under stand all that had been said. She put her arms around Lester's neck.
 'I am glad that you are my broth.