The Press., 1916-06-21


 death, but it was then impossible. There had been an arrangement be- tween me and her to that effect, and I carried 1t out as soon as was able to do SOL
 Mother paused nere for awhile in or der, I presume, to give me time to get somewhat used to what she had told me, then concluded what she was say. ing.
 And now, my dear little girl, wish you to be brave and strong and say nothing to papa or George as to what you have learned, but leave it to me to make it all known whenever i
 find that 1t will give the least shock. "
 made the promise sadly and kept it. This, for child, great responsibility that was thrown upon me added sev- eral years to the few I had lived and made a woman of me earlier than l would have been without it. I pre- sume my papa, as continued to call him, was told that I had stumbled on the family secrets, but he never men, toned the matter to me nor to him. There was no change in our treatment of each other except that, having learn ed that he had treated me as his daugh- ter who was not his daughter, my af- lection for him increased rather than diminished.
 I have since been quite proud of my self for giving mother free rein as to what course she should take with re- gard to giving George his part of the family secret. From the day I gave her the promise to keep it never men, toned it to her or asked her when she would tell him. This think was more than was to be expected of a child Month after month, year after year passed, and the matter was never men, toned.
 But time came when the relation ship between George and me became a matter of importance. When he was in his eighteenth year and I fifteen he was treating me as a sister, while knew he was not my brother The statement of the lady through whom I had learned the facts that boy looks without rather than within the home circle was verified in this case. George seemed to me to be very stupid about it. Nevertheless there were times when 1 wondered if he had not fallen upon the secret and was keeping his knowledge of it from me as was keep ing mine from him.
 On his return from an absence when was sixteen he took me in his arms and kissed me. Then, holding me off and looking at me. he saw a blush on my face.
 Look at the red.' he exclaimed, and, drawing me to him again, he gave me another kiss. Naturally this served to deepen the blush. I playfuliy boxed his ears, which, instead of making the matter appear more brOtherly and sis terly, had the reverse effect
 "The last ear box I 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 dignified man. ner, followed by a laugh from George, which made me feel that I had come very near giveaway.
 But worse one followed. A friend visit, and George seemed to me to be very much struck with her. This was the first revelation to me of the fact that I did not relish any other girl stepping in between George and me. l tried not to show jealousy, but did not succeed. Bess ended her visit in 8 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 in | travel. He asked me to go with him; but, knowing what I did, of course l declined. He urged me for some time, insisting on my giving him a reason For my refusal. I gave him number | of them-all trumped up-and he laugh | ed at me. When he started on his | Journey he called out:
 "Sis, don't you pick up fellow while Pm gonew
 "1 won't promisew I shouted. And ne drove away, waving his handker- thief till could see him no more.
 He returned in six months, and after he first welcome, when he and I were alone together, he came to me and ,aid:
 Isis, do you know the reason why I 'ame home sooner than intendedY'
 "No. Why?"
 Because couldn't stay any longer way from my dear sister,"
 You'll be saying that to some other elbows sister pretty soon." ..-s
 Have you a brotherT' .e~., What question:
 'If you have I'm saying it to some ther fellows sister now"
 I wondered if he could have got the ecret. "Sit down here," he added, drawing ne to an easy chair big enough for us oth. Then he continued: "You and I were betrothed the day 0u were born. I have not known uese tnlngS as long as you have, but have known more than you. I have ,ng known that papa and mamma are ot my real parents. My real parents { never saw. My real mother arranged ] nth my second mother that should ome into this family and be brought with you, hoping that we would l lake match. When 1t came time | ,r me to come here mamma settled in her own way, and con- der 1t the right way. She is not to :, g blamed for anything, though some ersons will say that she made a mis- Ike. She certainly gave you brother nd me sister. It now remains to be 'en whether we shall be transformed om the grub brother and sister to the :. ltterfy lover and lovers' I was surprised at the relief and joy