The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-11-15
THE LITTLE WIZARD

BY MADcE WESTON.
fright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union

Eleanor leaned back In her chair
and considered the problem. Though
Eleanor's lips were pressed together
firmly, there was about her long-lashed
eyes an expression of childlike appeal.
Out of al, the chaos of change. some
sort Of home must he saved COR Eliza
beth. aid how to make that home was
Eleanor's problem. She had kept the
country home as long as their small
legacy would allow, and 1t had beer
the fact of Elizabeth's helplessness
which prevented the elder sister from
going to seek work in the city.
Beth had always been a 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. Cheerfully willing
was the little sister, but pathetically
incapable. Eleanor had shouldered nat
urally the hardest part, the seamy side
of living. It's material cares were borne
In silence; anxiety also upon any sub
ject was apt TO put the child into a
depression which was hard to dispei.
The old home must be sold for what
it would bring. and in the meantime.
she, Eleanor, must go to the city to
seek a position which later would sup
ply their needs. Elizabeth could visit
with n of their old %neighbors until
Eleanor should send for her. But with
sweet obstinacy the little sister OBJ
jected.
II will go when you GO" she said.
Reasoning was useless. "The 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 CAV to the
little sister many hours of pleasure. 1t
was usually seated before this instru-
ment 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. These four narrow walls in
close SO little"
Beth with one of her gay laughs
dropped down resting her head against
her sisters knees.
"These four walls" she replied, I'm
close my whole world-that is your
self, Nell, and my music. For when
you are not here l am dreaming of all
hat you have been to me, and of all
that | would wish for you in the flu
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 a wizard, Beth she said.
you can drive dull care away"
1t was the appearance of the man
which disturbed Nell's serenity and
brought her to her disquieting fears.
She had found him in the cozy 0
upon her return one evening. He
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 en-
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 hall, Nell" she in
troduced. Mr.. Shaw is his name and
Mrs. Brandon brought him in to meet
me-"
"At my request" the man added
smilingly. but Nell did not smile.
Elizabeth's eyes were sparkling. her
cheeks were flushed with some new TX
element.
Long had she guarded the 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. Nelrs heart sank
within her as she found him oftener
at her sisters side. Sometimes he
would walk down the block in order to
meet Eleanor and return with her.
To the elder sister these evening
hours brought a mixture of pain and
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 1t ii regretful cry
from all her years of sacrifice. Was