Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-05-27
SUZETTE'S
SOLUTION
The Way She Brought Helena
and Robert Together.
BY A. M. DAVIES OGDEN.


Ing had been wandering restlessly
about the house forced her reluctant
consciousness to the realization of the
fact that soon, very soon, Suzette
would be here. Suzette, after her four
years at an eastern college. was COM
ing home. And what was she, Helena
Crosby, going to say to the girl? It
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 say?
Sanfords letter spoke for itself. In
clear, unmistakable terms 1t begged
Suzette to give up that long dreamed
of year in Europe and come back and
marry him. His anxiously awaited
promotion had arrived. He was at last
in position to ask the fulillment of
their boy and girl pledge. Helena
knew well enough what the letter con-
tained. Had she not practically die
tated the substance Of it7
And Suzette's only answer had been
a noncommittal 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
ishly to his 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.
ed his regiment to the Philippines.
Had the trouble begun then, won
dered Helena DULY, when triangular
chain of correspondence linked the
three, or was 1t not until Sanford
had come to Helena first to talk about
the absent Suzette, then to argue and
tease about her own concerns and, last
ly, to discuss that never firing topic of
conversation to a man-himself? Hell
ena could not tell. but lightly. unthink-
ingly, they had drifted along until all
unwittingly a sudden shock laid bare
the truth to lover and sister that a
new feeling, stronger, deeper. had TAX
en- the place of that childish affection
Sanford, manlike, had wanted to ad-
NIT the truth and face the conse-
quences, but Helena, her heart a fiery
turmoil of conflicting emotions. would
not listen. She who, although only a
year and half the elder. had been al
ways mother, nurse, everything to the
cherished little sister-she to be the
one to destroy that sisters happiness,
break forever her faith in Humankind
'TmpossibleT cried Helena, her gray
eyes dark with anguish, and from that
determination she could not be shaken
despite Roberts most tmpassioned
pleadings.
IT cannot hurt Suzette," was her I'M
swerving answer, and at last Robert,
desperate, had written Suzette. Since
the thing must be met. let it be met at
once. Let them be married at 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
come, and what would be the end?
This was all her tired brain could
carry.
There was crisp football in the
street, a sharp tinkle of the bell, then
the sound of suzette's voice in low
interchange of words; retreating,
heavier footstep. The next moment
the girl had sprung into the room. Her
arms closed about Helena.
"Why, you darlingP she cried. "Why,
Helena, dearp' as her quick eye noted
the signs of suffering In the elders
face. Helena tried to smile.
at is nothing, sweetheart" she an
swered. "Only touch of headache"
falling back on woman's never failing
excuse. "Oh. Suzette, how glad l am
to see your
Suzette laughed, hugging her close.
The girls cheeks were flushed to a
vivid pink; her blue eyes, her piquant
little mouth, her wavy soft brown hair.
all seemed alive. a-quiver with youth
and joyousness. A breath from the
brilliant, blossomy outer world seemed
to have strayed In with her. A sob
rose in. Helena's throat. How soon
ah, how soon would Robert forgetl
Suzette, tossing OF hat and gloves,
turned suddenly and, catching the
older girls hands, piled her down into
the big chair, so often the shelter for
them both. Her eyes were serious
now.
Tell me what It all MEANS" she
demanded practically. "Why is Robert
in such a hurry all at once? He seems
to have existed without me hitherto
fairly WELL" with an amused little
laugh. "why, then, this sudden eager
ness?"
Ills promotion-his return to the
Philippines" stammered Helena. II
was going to be even harder than she
had fancied. If to give up Robert to
an invisible, intangible little sister had
been difficult enough. the renouncing
OF him to this radiant. splendid young
creature "He-he thinks BEST" she
faltered. "He"-
"He thinks will go with him to the
Philippines" put In Suzette keenly.
The state board of library COM
missioners are receiving frequent re-
quests for the loan of picture col