New Britain herald., 1916-05-26

hide the ungraciousness of the words But I am puzzled over one thing. l thought I knew all the com- panions of those awful trlps or Jacks, but I do not recall the name 'Sonnot'"
 of course not, for my brother is only my half-prother, and ms name is not Sonnet, but Earle.'
 Mark Earle! Are you Mark Earle's little sister, Katherine?'
 "The same." She smiled at me mischievousy.
 ''Then I know you very well ln- deed," I returned, flor three years ago when Jack returned from the expedition which MT. Earle shared, he could talk of little else but the wonderful qualities of Mark Earle. And he spoke often of Marks sister, saying he had seen her letters and her photograph, and would like to meet her. But of course l had the inn pression that her name was Earle"
 I told her nothing save the truth, but I did not tell her all the truth. I had a very distinct impression, in deed. of Mark Earle's little sister, ] Katherine" In those days I had had no inkling of Jacks real feelings | toward me, which he had revealed to 1 me so dramatically after my mar riage. I had thought more than once | when he was talking of the girl whom he knew only through her | photograph and letters, that he was romantically impressed. l remem-
 bered that I had distinctly resented
 the idea, and had been glad When
 he finally stopped talking about his | Chum's sister.
 was ashamed to find that the old resentment still fingered. I realized now what Dicky's sisters must have felt when they knew he was to marry | me- Jack Bickett was not my brother, in blood but a kingly one in | reality. I had been the only woman
 n his existence so long that the Idea of any other woman dominating ms | life was a distinct shock to me.
 A Feasible Plan. 'Where's your brother, Mark, noW?' I asked, more to gain tune | than because I cared anything about 1 the answer.
 He has been in the Philippines for two years," she answered, note or constraint in her voice. I understood at once. A proud, sensitive girl, she had read my unworthy resentment, and was regretting deeply her | momentary confidence.
 I put all selfish considerations | down with an iron hand and smiled in most friendly fashion at her.
 Isn't it wonderful that after hearing so much of each other we should meet in this way?" I said heartily "If only our brothers were here"
 Miss Sonnot's face frightened again. "Is MT! Bickett in this coun- try" she asked her voice carefully nonchalant. "I have not heard any | thing about him for two or three 3ears''
 He sailed for France a week ago." I answered slowly. ''He intends to join the French engineering corps"
 There was a long moment of silence. Then Miss Sonnot spoke slowly, and there was a note almost of reverence in her voice.
 That is just what he would do,' and then, impetuously, Flow I envy him!"
 "Envy him? ?' I repeated incredu- lously.
 Yes, indeed" Her voice was mili- tant, her eyes shining, her face aglow. "How I have wished I were a man l ever since this war started! I am 1 just waiting a good chance to join a | hospital unit, but I do not happen to | know any surgeon who has gone, and of course they all pick their own l rurses But my chance will come. l I am sure of it, and then I am going | to do my part. Why! my Great | grandfather was an officer in Ma | poleon's army. I feel ashamed not | to be over there!" I opened my lips to tell her some | thing that had just occurred to me, | then closed them again. No need to raise false hopes. But I was reason ably sure that the little nurse would have her chance. Dicky's brother in-law, pr. Edwin Braithwaite of France, taking a corps of physicians and nurses with him. I knew that Miss Sonnot was high in the good eraces of Dicky's mother, which would insure her name being men, toned to the eminent surgeon, if she wished it. That she was an un- usually competent nurse I knew from pr. Pettit's praise of her. The chances were in favor of her securing the post she coveted.
 It rested with mo to pull the diff ferent wires for the desired result. Did I wish to do so? I did not dare to name even to myself, the reluc tance l felt to lift one finger toward the sending of this attractive girl across the seas.