The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-09-04
RUSE OF SISTER JEAN
BY MARTHA M'CULLOCH-WIL-
LlAMS.

Wingfeld looked at his sister Jear
frowning heavily. She sat across tn
room from him her head bent, he
hands discolored but stitching deftl.
at something-something that rouse'
him to anger. He flung his book hal
way across the desk in front of him
got up laggardly, and said, ~balancin.
himself with both hands upon tbi
desk-top:
Patches are premeditated pov
erty. You know that-yet you dc
worse than patch. Is this the third OF
fourth time you've made over thai
hat?, I'm sick of seeing it--of seeing
you messing with it. A new one
much better looking, would cost only
a couple of dollars-I believe you in
sist upon trimming such things your.
self
Correct! Every way" Jean an.
swered impassively. 81 am not in love
with my hat-making-nor even with
my own way of trimming. Maybe l
might be if
IF what?' Wingfeld asked almost
savagely as she paused.
She smiled at him-rather a hard
smile but wistful. Il was about to
say if I could buy the things l like
rather than the things I can afford"
she said.
You mean those poodle-dog feath-
ers that fly in the face of everybody
Wingdeld queried.
She shook her head, saying, No
praise be. Willow plumes don't tempt
me in the least. But l would like
say for this summer-a real fine straw
the ~seven-dollar sort, as pliable as
cloth almost and very rich broad pale
purple velvet for a bow and a trail of
orchids. | say just the thing yester-
day-for seventeen dolIars-and a
Paris tip, inside the crown-to make
believe it came from there"
go get it, WingieId ordered, pull
ing a roll of bills from his pocket and
tossing them to her.
She did not touch the money. She
looked at him steadily, smiling still
that old smile. Il have never yet put
the rent into fnery,' she said, drop
ping her eyes.
Wingfeld scowled. Il am begin
ming to believe it might better for US
if you did" he said. You're not a bit
bad-looking-but nobody wants a
dowdy anywhere. That's how you're
left out of things. | have to go-it is
part of the game to be seen right
and things are slow enough as it is
Il have not complained Jean said
calmly. ut is not very-exhilarating
eating bread and cheese in the kitch-
en- alone, when you are with your
friends. Still, somehow | would rath-
er stick to the bread and cheese. They
do not bore me-not anything like the
gang which haunts those table d'hote
places"
Jean has risen, hat in hand. She
turned to the mirror and set it upon
her head, speculation in her eyes, a
stronger frown underneath the brim.
1T looks like a last years bird
nest she commented, tossing it to
the ceiling and catching it askew.
Nobody would believe l was once a
fielder, though a substitute" she said
with a faint twinkle. DO you re-
member the game, Tim? Out in the
back lott was just thirteen and
gawky as a young calf-but could
run-and had the only pair Of real
legs left available
q remember-well," Tim nodded.
That was a game sure. Accident
was epidemic-ten Of our noble team
canned with sprained legs, arms,
houlders-what not. But not a n
,ould have caught the fly you did-it
the game for us. That reminds
ne-I met Treptow last weeh-and al
most the first thing he said was;
Where is that sister Of yours? The {
irl of the hy2N"
"You didn't tell him-of course {
can said quietly.
Wingfeld Looked down. You know l
cant tell people, he said almost !
retfully, ii they knew I've kept !
ouse they'd expect-Ol hang it. =
-ou know why" !
Perfectly Jean said. "you are :
to seem poor-you'd mind o
hat worse. much worse, than being
cor. You like to be liberal-mind- q
don't say ~extravagant. Since VI
arm most of the money, you have-
!ght to spend it as 0 choose.
ave never complained never sha,,
ut this | ask-if Rilly TreptcVne >
omes in your way again-ask hiAlre 1
ere to dinner" NY I
ASK HIM When he has all the ri ~ {
TX running after himl Don't " [
low that?" Wingield demanded.
lean nodded, but persisted. "A
~ ~ oooL~ not
Somehow Wingfield did ask Bilf 80
fact, he could not very well escaI -
because Billy developed suddenly
IN of inquiry that quickly brougl
t the facts. Jean was in the city
'eping house for her brother-Bills
demanded the address. ~
Wingield went home laggardly. 1t
IS late when he got there-too late ]
: anything but a hurried change of sl'
stume. 1t took him all aback to find W.
2 living room deserted, the dining
ON, a tiny place, likewise empty va