The daily Alaskan., 1916-07-24

another kiss. Naturally this served to deepen the blush. playfuily boxed his ears, which, instead of making the matter appear more brOtherly and sis teriy, had the reverse effect.
 "The last ear box l got for a kiss was for another fellows sister," he said and, giving me a second kiss, re- leased me. stood for moment pant ing. not knowing what to do or say, then walked away in a digniied man. ner followed by laugh from George, which made me feel that l had come very near a glveaway.
 But a worse one followed. A friend of mine, Bessy Lawrence, made me visit, and George seemed to me to be very much struck with her. This was the first revelation to me of the fact that 1 did not relish any other girl stepping in between George and me. tried not to show Jealousy, but did not succeed. Bess ended her visit in huff. and George asked me what in the world was the matter with me. Since could not explain, walked out of the room, leaving him to put his own interpretation on my action.
 There seemed to be plenty of funds in our family and, since George was not in hurry to settle down to busi ness, he concluded to spend a year fin travel. He asked me to go with him; but, knowing what 1 did, of course I declined. He urged me for some time, insisting on my giving him reason for my refusal. I gave him a number of them-aH trumped up-and he laugh ed at me When he started on his journey he called out:
 Isis, don't you pick up a fellow while I'm goner'
 "I won't promiser' I shouted. And he drove away, waving his handkerS chief till l could see him no more,
 He returned in six months, and after the first welcome, when he and were alone together, he came to me and said:
 Isis, do you know the reason why came home sooner than intendedT
 No. WhyT
 Because I couldn't stay any longer away from my dear sister"
 "You'n be saying that to some other fellows sister pretty soon."
 Have you a brotherT'
 "What a question:
 ''If you have I'm saying 1t to some other fellows sister now"
 I wondered if he could have got the secret
 "Sit down here" he added, drawing me to an easy chair big'enough for us both. Then he continued:
 You and [ were betrothed the day you were born. have not known these things as long as you have, but I have known more than you. I have long known that papa and mamma are not my real parents. My real parents I never saw. My real mother arranged with my second mother that I should come into this family and be brought up with you, hoping that we would make a match. When 1t came time for me to come here mamma settled everything in her own way, and I con. slider 1t the right way. She is not to be blamed for anything. though some persons will say that she made mis- take. She certainly gave you a brother and me sister. It now remains to be seen whether we shall be transformed from the grub brother and sister to the butterfly lover and lovers"
 was surprised at the relief and joy this declaration gave me. The e. cret between us having taken wings, left me very happy.
 The rest would only sound pleasing if given in the terms of the novelist who causes the hero lover to declare himself in terms that have been care fully written and duly worked over. l need only add that an understanding of the situation. as had been intended years before. and its termination were a relief and a matter of satisfaction to our dear papa and mamma as well as to ourselves.