The Press., 1916-09-07
John AtWater'S Little Sister
 How She Entertained His
 Guest During His Absence.
By ESTHER vANDEvEER


 
 Miss Susan Atwater kept house for brother much older than herself. John Atwater was thirty-eight years old: Susan was nineteen. John was law yer who dabbled in politics-not for office, but because the game interested him.
 While John and his sister were quite chummy, he never talked to her about his professional work or his interest in this or that political deal
 One day John Atwater told his sister that he must go to attend court in an- other city and would be gone probably several days. She was to open his let ters while he was gone. attend to any thing needing attention so far as she was able and communicate any matter of which he should be advised. This was asking a good deal, considering that he kept his affairs so rigidly to himself. He had not been long away before a letter came for him bearing the official mark of the governor of the state Susan opened it and read:
 Dear John-I'm going to run down to see you tomorrow. My purpose Is to get away from under the harrow for brief season I shall eschew all affairs of state except the canal matter on which wish to con fer with you; but. that on my mind. I pro pose to take a rest Yours.
 JAMES R. MARTINDALE. F. S.-Something of importance may come up to Seep me here, but hope not Miss Atwater was quite upset by this letter The governor of the state was altogether too big man for her to en- certain during Ter fathers absence. What shoull she do? Telegraph, of course. that her brother would be out of town. Why not telephone? The state capital was not far distant. and the expense would be about the same. It was II o'clock in the morning. and the governor would doubtless be in his office. Going to the telephone booth, she consulted the subscribers names and. finding the governors number. took down the receiver and called for him. He was sitting at his desk at the time and answered the call at once. 'Is this Governor Martindale?" asked a soft voice.
 ''Yes, I'm Martindale."
 
 brother Is away and before leaving asked me to open any letters that might come for him. One came from you stating that you were coming to see him. thought it advisable to tel ephone you that he is absent"
 Thank you very much. When do you expect your brother lsmeT'
 "He said that he would probably be away several days"
 "U'mr' The governor seemed to be considering.
 You are Miss Susan Atwater. are you notY'
 II am.'
 i've heard your brother speak of you"
 Susie wondered what John could have had to say to the governor of the state about her. Surely she could have nothing to do with the momentous po- htical questions that were discussed between them
 Well" continued the governor. after a brief silence. T presume Hi have to defer my visit. I'm sorry. Very much obliged to you for your information. Goodby."
 Susie hung up the receiver. feeling much relieved.
 Of all the months in the year the month of June is the most delicious. and the morning after Susie Atwater had headed of the governor was one of the brightest mornings of that bright month. Susie Atwater, having finished her morning duties, was sit ting on the porch with some embroid- cry work when she saw a man ap- preaching, dressed in a white flannel suit and a straw hat. He looked to be about thirty-fiye years old, and there was something altogether very attractive in his appearance. He stop ped at the foot of the steps and asked: "DOes John Atwater live here?' He does"
 'Is he at homer"
 ''No; he went away yesterday, to be gone several days"
 ''That's too bad" said the stranger in disappointed tone.
 Wont you come up on to the porch?''
 The stranger availed himself of the invitation and seated himself fin a wicker chair. Everything about him was very lovely. A climbing rose vine was in bloom. A field opposite was full of daisies; pretty girl was beside him
 "Are you related to John?' he asked of Susie.
 "I'm his sister,"
 "John and I were classmates iR col lege. John entered at twenty, I at sixteen. but that didn't prevent our being chums. Having some time on my hands. I thought I would run down to see him. It's a long while since we met"
 "I dare say he will be greatly disap- pointed to miss your visit.''
 "Not more than l." The gentleman took out his watch and a railroad time table at the same time and examined both.
 There's no train back till 8 o'clock" he said.
 ''I sAall be happy to do what can to relieve the tedium of your stay till hen and can give you bite of lunch Sn.'
 'ThaTk you very much"
 An hour was spent very pleasantly, then Susie went inside to give some orders about the luncheon. When she returned the two spend another hour, during which the stranger made him. self so entertaining that Susie began to lay plans for keeping him till her brother returned. There was an apol- ogy for a chaperon in an invalid aunt. very old, in the house, whose presence would render his stay proper. After luncheon Susie said to her brothers friend:
 ''If you choose to wait Johns coming you can be accommodated"
 i've been thinking that might wait a day or two, but would not think of tntruding upon you. I'm stopping at