Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-07-21
John AtWater'S
Little Sister
How She Entertained His
Guest During His Absence.
By ESTHER vANDRvHRR

Miss Susan Atwater kept house for
brother much older than herself. John
Atwater was thirty-eight years old;
Susan was nineteen. John was q 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
tiers 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 good deal, considering
that he kept his affairs SO rigidly to
himself He had not been long away
before letter came for him bearing
the official mark Of the governor of the
state. Susan opened 1t 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.
l shall eschew all affairs OF state except
the canal matter. on which wish to con-
fer with you: but that of my mind, pro-
pose TO take rest Yours.
JAMES r. MARTINDALE.
p. S.-5omething of importance may
come up to keep 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-
terrain during her fathers absence.
What should she do? Telegraph, of
course, that her brother would be out
Of town. Why not telephone2 The
state capital was not far distant, and
the expense would be about the same.
1t was IL 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.
rs this Governor MartindaleT asked
q soft voice
yes, I'm Martindale."
II am John Atwater's sister. My
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. l thought 1t advisable to tel
ephone you that he IL absent"
THANK you very much. When do
you expect your brother homer
HE said ct he would probably be
away sew lays"
"U'mr i nc governor seemed to be
considering.
"You are Miss Susan Atwater, are
you notf"'
II am"
I've heard your brother speak of
you"
Susie wondered what John could
have had to say to the governor of tho
state about her. Surely she could have
nothing to do with the momentous po-
litical questions that ", discussed
between them.
well" continued the governor, after
u brief silence, 81 presume Ill have to
defer my visit. I'm sorry. Very much
obliged to you for your information.
Coodby."
Susie hung up the receiver, feeling
much relieved.
OF all the months In the year the
month Of June IL the most delicious,
and the morning after Susie Atwater
had headed Off 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-hve 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 herer"
HE does
as he at homer"
"No; he went away yesterday. to
be gone several days"
That's too bad" said the stranger
in a disappointed tone.
won't you come up on to the
porchf
The stranger awaited himself Of the
invitation and seated himself In a
wicker chair. Everything about him
was very lovely. A climbing rose
vine was in bloom. A field opposite
was full Of daisies; a pretty girl was
beside him.
"Are you related to Johnr he asked
Of Susie.
"T'm his sister"
John and were classmates in col
lege. John entered at twenty, at
sixteen, but that didn't prevent our
being chums. Having some time on
my hands. 7 thought would run
down to see him. It's a long while
since we met"
~ dare say he will be greatly disap-
pointed to miss your visit"
"Not more than l."
The gentleman took out his watch
and railroad time table at the same
time and examined both.
There's no train back till 3 O'clock"
he said.
IT shall be happy to do what can
to relieve the tedium Of your stay TIL
then and can give you bite OF lunch.
con-"
THANK you very much"