The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-06-24
GOLDEN HEART
BY AGNES @. HRooAN.

seemed always to be perfectly happy ;
and 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 Sallie's
Joy and pride.
/ How It had happened that Phyllis
enjoyed llfe's benefits and privileges,
while Sallle worked about the neat
home, no one knew Least of oil, Sallle
herself. The tasks had just naturally
fallen to her share when the sacrific-
ing mother laid them down forever.
And when Phyllis returning from col
lege regarded with yelled contempt
the simplicity of her sisters daily
routine, Sallle cheerfully FASTENED to
brighten, as It might suit her her sis
ter's days. So Phyllis, beautiful and
well gowned, rode in costly motorcars
or entertained woman friends as she
was entertained. Sallle never entered
into the parties. She felt constrained
and III at ease among the friends Of
Phyllis. Their easy chatter about
matters of which she knew nothing
embarrassed her Also 1t was an un-
necessary strain upon old Dads pocket
book-sO Sally sald-tO provide party
frocks for two daughters.
"The affairs were really n silly
waste of time" she further conhded.
And old Dad, whose law practice
grew less and less, was relieved by
Salle's decision. She had not told
Dad of a recent experience, when
Phyllis had coldly asked her to attend
a meeting of her club, and had been
humlllated Sallie knew, by her own
lack of assurance. She had been
"dolt," she reflected sadly; too con-
fused by the strangeness of 1t all to
answer intelligently simple questions
put to her
SO Sallie went back to her own
life with its constant duties; and be-
cause old Dad con6ded to her the
anxietles Of his decreasing income
Sallle 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-
glneer, 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 prepossessing- Is,
as far as clothes were concerned. For
he wore a rusty velveteen jacket, and
as the days passed he sat for the most
part back in the garden smoking an
old brlar pipe. At meal times he re-
sponded laconlcally to the civil engi-
neer's conversation, and had smiles for
no one but Sallle. When quaint little
Sallle entered the room Michael
Dawns fine eyes would light with well
come. He 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
queer" Sallle's trust and admiration
were unfaillng. There were days when
he would absent himself from the
home, with neither excuse nor apology.
When he came back at twilight he
would tell Sallie that he had been
Every busy" And Sallie, wondering,
would yet nod and smile without
question.
The summer was hot and Sallle
grew pale with her tlreless labor.
These peaceful evenings in the COM
panlonship of Michael had come to be
her relaxation and exceeding joy.
'Why," he asked her impatiently,
edo you not ask your sister to help
you?'
"She wouldn't know how" Sallie
gave ingenious reply 1--WE were born
different. Phyllis is a golden butter
fly, made to hover over flowers. I'm
that busy little ant-happiest in the
building of my home"
One day Phyllis came grudglngly.
'You will have to attend the big club
Sallie," she said, "or 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
books are very popular. you know;
he's a student of types" q
Sallie hated to go. She confided her
b epidatlon to Michael Dawn. Il
Don't you be afraid" he coDsoled
her; 'Tll be there and l will talk to
you" n
So Salie went. The brilliantly
lighted rooms, the scent of many flow
nrs, the people all crowding around
Dne mans tall figure confused her.
Then the man. turning, was but Mi
chael Dawn after all. Directly he
came and tucked Sallie's hand beneath
his arm.
Don't be frightened. Sallle." he
said, 81 am John Stewart; that's my
pen name. Phyllis. all of them are
they'll be more surprised
when they read ny new book, Little
Golden Heart They will appreciate
rou then when you are far away" II
Tenderly Michael Dawn smiled into
Sallie's upraised. wondering eyes. "For