The Wrangell sentinel., 1919-10-02
LITTLEST SISTER
By AGNES G. BROGAN.

eyes which a sudden sunny smile could transform into dancing merri- ment.
 Tt is lovely to have you here," said the child, "before you came, 1t was so lonely. That's what it means, l guess, to be the littlest sister, special ly when you've had different mother from the rest They were all quite grown up you know, when my mother came, and they didn't need her. P'raps that's why she went away to Heaven. Daddy did not like to be bothered
 "The biggest sister had said Mercy me the child's too old to have a nurse and going to school, will not need a governess, whatever shall we | do with her? And I told her to ad- vertise for a--a sort of sister. Some | one to fix my clothes and read to me, and stay in at night when everyone else was away. Oh. you don't know how dreadful 1t is to be the lttlest sister,"
 The young woman nodded. "1 do know, darling" she replied, Il was | just like that" There was a sudden catch in the sweet voice. "They closed the doors," she went on dreamily, land went their different ways, and l was left alone"
 "For all of the evening"" asked the child.
 "Forever," answered the girl. |
 The young woman sadly shook her head. "There were so many things in the world to keep them busy" she said
 The child leaned forward eagerly, "Then, whatever did you do?'
 Into the somber eyes danced the sunny smile, "Why I came here," the girl replied "Your advertisement seemed just written for me, to make little sister happy was so exactly the thing I wanted to do.'
 "You might have been q secretary the child suggested shrewdly, "and have made more money" Again the companion smiled.
 q was very stupid" she said about making money. Perhaps I had forgot ten all that knew in caring for my invalid father"
 "Well," the child answered cheerful ly, "that was a good thing for me. Pm so much in the way, they all tell me that and they never did want me at all. Now, the biggest sister Is go- ing to be married and the other is go- ing abroad. The brother is going abroad, too, the one who calls me that kid and-'
 The young woman turned about, tall brother with the deep true eyes, not, the brother with the kind voice which makes you feel that somebody 'ares-he-is not going away?"
 The child regarded her companion perplexedly then shook her head. "Oh, mo-" she said, "that is the oldest broth CT who has always been painting pie lures somewhere far away. He came back not long ago, and yesterday he came up here to my big room. He was so very grave and so very cross, that I was afraid 'So,' he said, you are the little one? Where, is she?' s'pose he meant the biggest sister, and told him and he went away"
 The girl caught the child in her arms. "He asked like that?" she questioned eagerly "quickly, anxious ly, like that?"
 Bewildered the child nodded, then raised a startled face. 'what was that noise. back there among the shad- ows?" she asked.
 You are fanciful," the girl replied, "a log broke in the fire. Let me hold you close and I will tell story:
 "Once upon q time great artist came back to his native land to see his own, and perhaps to wed won drous lady. The hearts of his sisters were set upon this choice, for great was her influence in the world of let ters, and very great was her wealth. | To marry her, would be to bring to the artist all those things for which he had struggled sO the sisters told humble maid of their dwelling. This maid had but dared to raise her eyes to the man, as he passed her upon the stair. or-in the garden. Had but dared, meeting him upon the road, to ride home at his side in the great au- tOmobile. Yet the sisters seemed to know of the dream she had dreamed alone in her own little room with the stars for company. And so the mai den found that she must go away be- cause the kindness of his eyes grew so akin to love,-because the gentleness of his voice thrilled to tenderness" Didn't she care-fOr-him? the child asked drowsily.
 "It was because she cared so very much" answered the girl, "that she determined to go away-that he might marry the wonderful lady. who could bring to him victory" tear splash ed down upon the now sleeping eyes of the child, while from the shadows came mans figure.
 "So-dearest." said the mans low and jubiant voice, "that Is your req l .,