The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-11-12

NoiNs Astthefh ~ ~ ~.@>Nss
"and / love her TO distraction"
FANS elder sister smiled.
Fan usually appreciates what others
prize" she suggested meaningly.
you think" the lover asked, shat
ought TO go about flirting with other
girls in order to win Fans fayorf
WE'LL can't. Besides the other girls
might not be so impressionable."
"Charmlng modesty," Eleanor laugh
ed, but she realized the truth of the
statement.
"It is strange" she said. "how all
men young and old, flock about my
little Fan. or course. she is the dear
est girl i'm the world, but she treats
them all so mockingly, one would
think they'd resent 1t. Her young
heart has not yet been awakened,
Dicky, and you have as good IA chance
as any. / have told you-Fan always
desires the unobtainable. II you could
make her just bit Jealous
"Of whom?" the man asked brusque-
ly.
Eleanor considered.
Girls were inexplicable creatures.
Far be IL from herself to bring upon
this earnest friend the reproach OF
broken heart. Richard broke the
silence.
81 know" he said. ''great idea, IL
you will coincide. You shall be the
object of my apparent alteration, Nell ;
I'll make love To you under Fans
saucy nose, and If she should become
jealous we will take II for sign"
ME" Eleanor gasped. "Ohl she
wouldn't be jealous of me, Dicky. I'm
too old, older even than YOU
by few months" the man
answered calmly, land not observa-
BILE to the others eyes. You are SAT-
est gness, Nell. When the game is over
you can return to-your knitting"
Eleanor gazed down at the colored
wool in her hands. Something in the
careless remark saddened her. AL
ways, it seemed, that had been her
lot. After the game was oversize re-
turned to her knitting. At Fans age she
had been as gay and popular as she,
but the merry game had not lasted
long, for the arms of her small or
phaned sister had reached out TO her
loving protection. And
Eleanor had not failed in the giving.
She wondered now wistfully, II Fan
might not laugh at the very thought
of herself as a rival
"You cannot object II you would
Richard said, II am determined TO be
your adoring slave. A certain red-gold
head appears on the horizon. Kindly
unwind this wool from my trembling
fingers"
Eleanor laughed. Dicky had posed
ridiculously at her feet with the Grim
son wool stretched between his hands.
Obediently she began to unwind. as
he watched her. The intentness of his
gaze brought a flush to Eleanor's
cheek; it was an amusing game. the
elder sister desperately restraining
girlish giggle as Fan came suddenly
upon them.
81 want" Fan began promptly, ito
go in my boat; please. get it for me,
Dicky."
Cant" Richard absently muir
INJURED. "Have to help Nell with this
wool; afterward she's going to show
me the view from the ridge"
The young girls eyes widened.
"You mean," she asked. that you
don't want to go with me?"
mot exactly that" Richard replied
apologetically. He was evidently en-
barrassed; Nell asked me first, you
see"
"Ohl all right" Fan answered airily.
Bobby will be glad TO take me-"
She was humming a tune as she left
them. but the glance she threw at her
sister was inquiring. Eleanor seemed
happily oblivious.
Throughout days which followed,
the elder sister often found that In
quiring glance bent upon her. Richard
persistently played his part. He
formed a habit of reading aloud TO
Eleanor afternoons In a nook on the
shore, plainly discernible from the
bathing spot which Fan and her adj
mirers frequented.
The game grew In interest and ex-
element. When the younger sister
was absent they discussed in secret
enjoyment her fancied symptoms of
jealousy. Then one day Eleanor came
to meet Richard vaguely troubled.
Fan is with that Bobby person all
the time" she said. 81 thought at first
that she was trying merely to pay you
back In your own coin. But Bobby's
a winsome lad. You'd better go back
to her, Dicky, before it is too late"
SO Richard went to take up his old
allegiance. Fan proved strangely dis
appointing. He had never before real
lied her lack Of appreciation for lit
erature. He and Nell had so enjoyed
those old books together. and Fan was
frankly disinterested In his work. Nell
had grasped with wonderful intuition
the details of his business. Swimming
and motoring were all right In their
way, but one couldn't be dragged about
In that sort of foolishness forever, he
reflected: so for comfort Richard went