The Holly chieftain., 1911-07-28

Vicky was younger than Edith. but
she seemed older. She had such an
assured air. and = woman-of-the-worid
manner which seemed to set her be-
yond all youthful folly. It was only
when she was alone with Edith that
she showed the child In her.
"One Of US has to seem grown up"
She could explain to Edith. "and you are
such baby that have to put on An
extreme amount Of dignity"
Edith smiled. II am not such .
baby" she said. but you have more
courage than l. vicky: do mot be-
lieve that you are afraid Of anything"
Yes am" Vicky admitted. Il
am afraid of George Miller. Edith"
The color famed into Edith's face.
Why. why should you be. vickyf"
she demanded.
He always looks at me - II he
could see through me-" vicky con-
fessed. "and / feel az II l ought to
be In short dresses and wear my hair
in pig-tails.'
He does not make me feel that
way" she said
Vicky's short nose was up in the
air. "Of course not. he's In love with
you. Edith"
Il hope not said Edith gravely.
why not? Vicky demanded.
Because don't love him." was the
response.
And he loves you. Isn't that Just
the way of It? All the good things
come to you and you don't want them.
while l.
Edith looked at her In astonishment.
Why. vicky Osborn" she said Il don't
see why you should care.
Il DON'T" said vicky bravely, but
George Miller is too good to be hurt"
She said the same thing to the
young man that evening when he
came out white-faced from a talk with
Edith.
II want you to be happy. George"
she said.
You are nice little thing. vicky."
he told her. "and we've always been
good chums. But I cannot come here
any more"
Vicky looked after him forlornly. II
couldn't tell him the truth" was her
| thought. that Edith cares for some
one else"
She found Edith in tears on the
porch. Il am not going to sympa-
thize." vicky scolded: you ought to
love him. II you don't"
But there il Richard" Edith
faltered.
"He cannot hold a candle to
George" vicky said.
Il believe you are in love with him
yourself. vicky."
Vicky turned on her, her eyes blaz-
ing. do you think I'd love q man
who didn't care anything for met"
But that night she cried herself to
sleep. and In the morning she rose
early and went for walk through the
garden and down the rosd which led
to the river. Her big dog, Laddie.
followed her. She talked to him on
the pier while watching q fisherman
drawn in the nets with the mornings
catch.
Edith has always had everything" !"
she said. She's the pretty one and
the popular one. wouldn't care.
Laddie. II she loved George: I'd give
him up. but 1t is such q pity to have
SO much devotion 60 to waste"
In silence she watched boat shoot
out from the upper rapids into .
placid pond
ITS George" vicky said. and rose.
ready for flight.
He saw her and waved to her.
Don't you want to 60 for \ rowf" he
asked
vicky consented, and with LAddie in
the stern they turned down stream.
There was q little inn on a wooded
point. There they had breakfast, tel
ephoning to Edith that they would be
back at noon.
All that morning George poured the
tale Of his troubles into vicky's SYM
pathetic ears. And Vicky listening,
said within her soul: 1T isn't Edith
that he really loves. It's what he
thinks Edith is."
Yet she dared bring him no disillu-
sion, for she could not break faith with
her sister.
When she reached home she found
Edith in fever Of excitement. rich.
ard wants me to marry him." she said.
He has It all planned. we are to live
In his college town and he will finish
his studies and have me for his In
spiration."
Nothing that vicky could say or do
could influence Edith. and 80 It hap