The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-11-12
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE LITTLE WIZARD
lUIIIIIInlnlllIIlllllIllnlIlIlIInlIIIII
BY MADGE WESTON.

Nllil NOllNiuFIth lllt liOnlfIls ItWUEH
3 Eleanor's lips We're pressed together
firmly, there was about her l0ng-lashed
eyes an expression of childliGe appeal
cut of all the chaos of change, some
sort of home must be saved for Eliza
beth, and how to make that home was
Eieanor's problem. She had kept the
country home as long as their small
legacy would allow, and 1t had been
the fact of Elizabeths helplessness
Which prevented the elder sister from
going TO seek work in the city.
Beth had always been frail little
creature, with no positive ailment, and
no strength Of constitution. The light
est household tasks were all that had
fallen to her share. CheerfullN willing
was the little sister, hut pathctlcally
incapable. Eleauor had shouldered nat
urhlly the hardest part, the scanly side
Of living. Its material cares We're borne
in silence; anxiety also upon any sub
icct was apt TO put the child into II
depression which was hard to dispel.
The old home must be sold for what
il would bring, and in the meantime
she, Eleanor, must go To the city TO
seek Il position which later would sup
ply their needs. Elizabeth could visit
with one of their old nclghbors until
Eleanor should send for her. But with
sweet obslinacy the little sister OBJ
jcctcd
81 viii go when you go she said.
Reasoning was useless. "Ihe room
which will hold YOU will hold me also"
Elizabeth insisted.
So to the dingy room which Eleanor
found she brought as many comforts
as she conveniently could from the
pleasant home which had been theirs.
She was promptly successful in find
Ing, through the influence of one OF her
fathers friends, a position which
would grow in advantage with her own
efficiency,
1t Was comforting, returning at eve
ming from an Indifferent world, TO find
Elizabeth waiting always in the lighted
transformed room of the city boarding
house. The old piano, which Eleanor
had saved from the selling gave to the
little sister many hours of pleasure 1t
was usually seated before this instru-
mcnt that Eleanor found her, the little
hands touching with loving harmony
the yellowed keys.
"What do YOU do TO amuse yourself
all day, dear?' Eleanor asked one eve
ming. "rhcse four narrow walls in
close SO litte.'
Beth with one of her gay laughs
dropped down resting her head against
her sisters knees,
"Thcse four walls" she replied, Gin
close my whole world-that is your
self Nell, and my music. For when
YOU are not here / am dreaming Of all
that you have been to me, and OF all
that | would wish for YOU in the fu-
ture.' The girl raised her face slowly.
"And when my wishing grows too
great for my heart to hold ! voice it
all in music. Wait" She ran TO the
piano and dashed off a brilliant intro
duction.
Listen" said Beth. This is your
love song"
Eleanor's tired face frightened.
You are wizard, Beth she said,
"You can drive dull care away
1t was the appearance of the man
which disturbed NclIs serenity and
brought her TO her disQuietins fears.
She had found him in The coy room
upon her return one evening. lie
was hanging over Elizabeth at her
piano with an air of very evident adj
grafton.
Rebellion at his intrusion possessed
the elder sister. Who was he to on
Ter into the quiet Of their home with
his daring admiration?
Elizabeth explained the strangers
presence easily.
"A neighbor Of ours who lives in the
big room across the hail, Nell,' she i'll
troduccd. Mr.. Shaw is his name and
Mrs. Brandon brought him in To meet
me-"
at my request" the man added
smiingly but Nell did not smile.
Elizabeths eyes were sparkling, her
checks were flushed with some new ex-
element
Long had she guarded tle frail little
sister lest love finding Elizabeth might
pass on to her hurt True love comes
not always; her charge must suffer no
grief.
Leonard Shaw's personality was one
to inspire confidence, his manner one
of frank charm. NellS heart sanb
within her rs She found him Ottenel
at her sisters side. Sometimes lac
would walk down the block in order tC
meet Eleanor and return with her.
To tile elder sister these 'evenin2
hours brought Il mixture Of pain anc
pleasure. Then at last She faced the
truth: Her resentment against Eliza
beth's evident approaching happiness
was not apprehension for her sisters
welfare, rather was it "a regretful crl
from all her years of sacrifice. Wa
she growing selfish nowl Had Sh'
not always chosen for Elizabeth "th'
better partf"
Dear" cried Elizabeth. "Ieonar'
Shaw was at The piano tonight am
Beth bent above her sister, speaking
ia breathless whispers. Il can keel
the secret no longer. Mr.. Shaw is tn
writer OF popular songs. lie heard IN
singing and hat is why he asked Mr.
Brandon To bring him in. Ny song