The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-03-03

| Mhptl BlhIeu AT nef younger sister
she was badly spoiled, and all alonq
had tyrannized over everybody espe
cially this gawky creature, willing as
she was gawky. Now, she was grow,
ing unbearable-at seventeen a girl
should know better than TO be sauey.
Sybilla had taken cast-off clothes
studied in cast-on books, waited on
everybody, and eaten at the second
table, unmurmurlng. or late she had
grown restive-the frochs were too
short-Mabel was several inches lower
than she, Then, too, she had deYel-
oped a quaint and ready bitterness Of
speech, an insight that was critical,
and worse still, a reckless regard for
the truth.
Therefore when Mabel asked tart
ly: well. Miss Smarty, where have
you been all afternoon?" she answered
with lovely flush, but clear-eyed and
high-headed: "Oh, out riding with Len
Hampton. He saw me up in the apple
tree and said he'd give me a drive for
three red apples"
"Just as you are? My" Mabel
gasped, glancing at Sybilla's faded
serge froek. scuffed shoes and bat
tered hat.
Sybilla smiled softly nodded and
murmured: 81 don't believe Len no
ticed what had on-he was too busy
looking at me-"
II never heard such insolence.
Mother, she'll be the talk Of the
town. People have said always you
couldn't raise a forward daughter. but
I'm afraid"
"They won't keep saying it?"
sybilla interrupted. Wrong, honey
Len says I'm as shy as I'm sweet
Nab, did he ever say anything nicer
to you?"
"Ill send you to school day after
tomorrow" Mrs. Ray groaned. "Ii
your poor father does say it's no use
you've got to 60"
"Thanky, ma'am-Tve wanted to
this ever so long" Sybilla countered
undauntedly. Not for what books
will teach mel can get that at home
but so as to rub off the angles and
make me sweet and attractive-like
Nab"
She ended with laugh of genuine
amusement that had yet sound un.
like her usual bubbling. Still, she had
her way about the frock after all, in.
citing her father to exercise husband.
ly authority for once, and send his
wife to bed betimes.
All next day she was singularly
gentle, singularly willing-not once
did she say a briery thing, nor fail OF
doing the most exacting duty.
Rested and refreshed. Mrs. Ray did
marvels with the pink silk. When IL
lay complete upon the bed in the
spare room, Mabel surveyed it with
a happy smile. and even said to Sy
billa:
"Syb-when your time comes. I'm
going to see to it that you have new
real pretty ones. OF
course I'll be married then-but |
shan't forget how nice you can be
when you try"
"Thanky, maam," Sybilla said, heI
eyes dancing. But isn't it lucky.
never cared for clothes? If l did care
II would spoil all my fun tonight I've
to wear to the hop, but my
pink organdy-and I've had to lei
down every tuck in It."
you must have your joke" Mabel
said smiling indulgently.
Syuilla also smiled. IF you take IL
that way-Tm glad" she said. g.
thought maybe you'd be mad as Tuck
er over my going, but when Len asked
me why, just had to say yes"
Mabel stared at her as if paralyzed
'You-you don't mean to tell me you're
going with Len Hampton?" she gasp
ID. why! IL was sure"
81 know" Sybilla nodded. But don't
you mind Nab. l won't ever cheer
o him what you thought. He's go
ng to take us both, and Mrs. Dear
nto the bargain-his car is big enough
,ou know, though we don't actually
iced a chaperon, now we're engaged
Oh, say Nab, will It be too much out
# the picture If wear my diamond
ing with the pink organdy?"
Mabel said nothing. In fact, just
hen 1t appeared to her there was
lothing left to say. But when next
Sunday Peter Benn preached about
leah and Rachel, she, Of all the con
,repation. understood him hest