Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-09-12
GOLDEN HEART
BY AGNES G. eRoeAN.

seemed always to be perfectly h,nnv.
ana because she had so very little to
make her happy, folks wondered and
thought her queer. She was different
from those around her, different from
the beautiful sister who was Snl,ie's
JOY and pride.
HOW 1t had happened that PHYLLIS
enjoyed life's benefits and PRIVILEGES
whlie Sallie worked about the neat
nome, no one knew. Least Of all. Snllie
herself. The tasks hid just naturally
lhilen to her share when the sncrific-
ing mother laid them down forever.
And when Phyllis returning from col
.eSe regarded with yelled contempt
the simplicity of her sisters daily
routine, Sallie cheerfully hastened to
brighten, MS 1t might suit her, her SIS
terS days. So Phyllis, beautiful and
well g0wned, rode In costly motorcnrs
or entertained woman friends rs she
was entertained. Sallie never entered
into the parties. She felt constrained
and Ill Mt ease among the friends of
fhyll1s. Their easy chatter about
matters Of which she knew nothing
embarrassed her Also 1t was an I'M
necessary strain upon old Dads pocket
hook-so Sally said-to provide party
frocks for two daughters.
1.-THE affairs We're really silly
waste Of time" she further confided.
And old Dad, whose law practice
grew less and less. was relieved by
lei
Dad Of recent experience. when
Phyllis had cold!y asked her to attend
n meeting of her club, and had been
Inundated, Sallie knew, by her own
lack OF assurance. She had been n
"dolt," she reflected sadly; too con-
fused by the strangeness of it oil to
answer intelligently simple ques. ions
put to her.
So Sallie went back to her own
life with its constant duties; and be-
cause old Dad confided to her the
anNieties Of his decreasing income
Sallie had accepted the application
of two men from the city who wished
to spend several weeks as boarders in
the country town.
The objections of Phyllis had been
overruled by Dad; Phyllis was re-
signed to the coming of the civil en-
gineer, impressed with that young
mans distinguished appearance. But
the other wOuld-be boarder she desig-
mated as impossible"
Michael Dawn's references were of
the best" her father told her; "Judge
Lewis himself was sponsor"
Michael Dawn's appearance was
certainly not preposscssing-that is,
as far as clothes were concerned. For
he wore rusty velveteen jacket, and
as the days passed he sat for the most
part back in the garden smoking an
old hriar pipe. At meal times he re-
sponded laconically TO the civil cngi-
necrs conversation, and had smiles for
no one but Sallie. When quaint little
Sallic entered the room Michael
Dawn's fine eyes would light with wei
come. lie liked to sit. too. upon the
back porch with Sallie. helping in peel
ing the peaches or joining in her whis-
tied conversation with the robin.
His fine eyes would grow luminous
and he would murmur again his new
name for her, Little Golden Heart"
And though Michael Dawn was also
'QH"er" Snllie'S trust and admiration
were unfAi!ing. There were days when
he would absent himself from the
home. with neither excuse nor apology.
would tell Snllie that he had been
Every busy" And Snllie, wondering.
would yet nod and smile without
question.
The summer was hot and Sallie
grew pale with her tireless labor.
These peaceful evenings In the COM
panlonship of Michael had come to be
her relaxation and exceeding joy.
"Why," he asked her lmpatiently,
"do you not ask your sister to help
your"
"She wouldn't know how" Snllie
gave ingenious reply. 1--WE were born
different. Phyllis is a golden butter
fly, made to hover over flowers. Pm
that busy little ant-happiest In the
building of my home"
One day Phyllis came grudg!ngly
"You will have to attend the big club
reception, Sallic," she said cor people
will talk. Couldn't you fix over my
old white dress for yourself? John
Stewart, the author, Is to be there;
everyone Is crazy to meet him. His
looks are very popular, you know;
he's student Of types"
Sallie hated to 90. She conflded her
trcpidatiOn to Michael Dawn.
Don't you he afraid" he cOnsoleG
her "I'll he there and will talk to
you"
Co1Iin wont Tho hriJitonflr