The daily Alaskan., 1912-10-21
BROTHER AND
 SISTER
There Was a Great Social
 Gap Between Them
By E. A. rIITcHEL

I can never forget that dreadful day Bert and | parted Unmerciful dis aster had followed fast and followed faster" and this was the crowning trouble. Father had failed in business, and the shock had killed him, Mother accustomed to every luxury and now reduced to peuury, followed him In a few months. Neither father nor mother had any near relatives, and it fell to some old friends to determine for Bert and me what we should do,
 Bert was twelve and ! eight Had we been but few years older We might have taken some action for our selves. As it was, it was decided that We must be separated. A friend of fathers offered to take Bert and give him an education. A lady was found who would do the same for me We cIung Co each other, declaring that we would stay together, Bert saying that he would take a position as telegraph mcsscngcr-thc only occupation for boys he had uoticed-but despite our nIeadings We were sent ln different directions This. of course, promised better for us than trying to make our way in the world for ourselves at that tender age. but it seemed droldfuI'y hard to us.
 It did turn out better, though in my case the good results were delayed for a long while. The lady who took me had mo children and intended Co adopt me- But persons who have not and never have had children or their own cannot begin with a child of ten without great trouble It is like taking un any other occupation about which wc have learned nothing Besides my foster mother was very nervous woman. and whatever ! did worried her. I had been with hcr but a short while when she decided that her health required that she should he relieved of my care. and ! was given up Co another person who was paid Co take me-
 When was fourteen my foster mother died. and. since she had made no provision for me, ! was told that I must earn money. This ] began do. ing by being hahy's nurse, and from that I durtpd Into other moniGl duties uI ! became a housom0il in the lam. fly Of wealthy gentleman whose only child was a daughter about my own age. This young lady upon learn ing the story of my life was very sym pathetic and kind. She would not ad- init that ! would always remain a servant and helped me Go prepare my self for something better. She made me her own maid. though she was not of the kind Co need a maid. preforring to do everything for herself. giving me the position that l might have more time t0 improve myself She was a strong character. we'll educated and possessing intellectual tastes. She be came my teacher. and under her tui. ton. beginning where ! had left or at my fathers death ! gained what might be considered a fair education. Indeed l proved am apt scholar, and absorbed in short while what some girls would be years iD learning. Mss Gwcndolcn UawIey, my mistress. my teacher and my friend. was delighted with the success Of her efforts iu my behalf. assuring me when | expressed my gratitude that she was indebted to mo. since | had given her something to interest her.
 When Bert and | were separated we were too young to keep track of each other | pined for him for awhile, but the memory Of children requires time to develop. and within two or three years | had forgotten much about bIm This was Co bo expected 0f him con CornIng his remembrance or me. Chil- drcn oG the same family not brought mp together have little or nothing In common. SUT had a brother and lungrd for him One fearful letter written a few days after Bert and ! parted was the only message ! receiv ed from him while We were children.
 Miss UawIcy had a GDc social posi- tfou. but only mingled in society to a moderate extent She was prominent in orgaufzaU0ns whose object was Co ameTiorato Che condition of Che poor. or course. she had a number of friends and acGuaint8nccs. but as she did not entertain largely | had little or no knowledge Of them. She was SO inter ostrd In intellectual and charitable pur suits that ! fancicd she would not be likely Co marry; for she was twenty two. and passing out from an age when the feelings are easily enlisted But one evening when she had two young men and a girl friend In Co play bridge with her | noticed a treatment of one of Che men by her different from what she had shown any other. I served some refreshments. and during the few minutes that was In the room was convinced or this and noticed that thc other man Of tho party favored me with a look of admiration he should not have bestowed upon a servant After the party had gone Miss Uawley told me that this young man had not hpsItatod Co comment upon my appear ancc raDturously.
 Hrn