Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-28
SISTERS
BIZ KATHLEEN NORRIS
-u,s srARrs THE STORY
Author Of "Josseiun's wife"
(Copyright. 1919. by Kathleen Norris)

Cherry ,sr io,os her and JdHs In love
withn, witn,,st ni", .ooii. i"sy sSetr % design. chance
aoSdd'f .Uord OF Martin, Cherrys husodnd,
causes AIi1 to guess ne truth; OUT
s"e latter hintin0 at Mdrttn,s an.
a.vnt,iness. AIir talks to Martin and
. iis. 10 strdiohten out the problem,
h,t the condition appears more COM,
olicated, cherry and Peter make thetr
ppceond plans TO elope, and the sisters
T SSyv snsu about the house, haze ,oonderfM
hours together -
n,,T1rRDAY cameA a perfect day that
Ssiled the little valley to the brim with
alden sunshine. The mountain swan.
In pale haze OF sray,piue, int,. me SKY
nc forest about the old Strickland house
not breath of air stirred. Alix, driv.
ing alone to the mountain cabin, stared
IN ie the morning freshness at the blue
overhead and said aloud Oh what a
oaT Inc e. dog, sitting beside her on the
,.ont seat. tapped his tail In answer
~ her voice, and she laughed at him
~ Ant the laugh was quickly followed by
5sstlnrday," sssrn avn she unused. "and Martin
,Scts cherry to go with him on Mon
Sayi Expects her to 60 back with him
TO- a life Of misery for her, existence
with man she hates Oh, CherryEmy
little sister There can be no happiness
sor .'e Won there And Peter Peter is
iest bebind TO me, who cannot comfort
him, or still the ache that Is tearing ms
heart NV two loved ones, and what
can do to help them J.
Driving slowly on the noiseless pine
needles she looked up o,,gb a. ,msb ,ybicb
The Roadway wound like a shelf. Streaks
" we snnIIsht filtered through them; the
September air was soft and sweet. Inc it
forest was like an old friend TO Anf,
and the time ,;0tast she t3ms s3Ree' The " tempered
,SSSt ,MSS1 The air scented with .piny sweet.
ness the delicate summer humming OF
tInv forest voices, the brief snap OF
twies and the rustling OF tiny podles
in the underbrush, tnese ,,ost 'a,aG at home. me 4
"oh' whv can't we always be like chill
a,on inst happy to be free !" she mused,
ss she left the forest and came IN sight
OF the cabin How happy we useo ,no 10
ber,p be, p'ajI tjIrea and hungry to dad and sup
per, Buck" she said aloud, oog ID
bannier than a man. and perhaps
and Alix smiled her whimsical smile. az
the car moved under the lasI oars !, a the
mSS Sss,N"perhaps a tree Is the happiest
She had come up to the cabin 70 90
the usual last little daily fussing am9ns
the ducks and chickens ana to 70 tnwn'
back with her to Cherrys house: They
bad ali dlned in the old Strickland house
4 tba night before. and because or a suo-
den rainfall had decided to spend tne
| night there, too. The Chinese S D1y ,Se,r &
| bousecleaning had been persuaded 70
cook the dinner and get breakfast, anu
the evening about the old fireplace mao
Il been almost too poignantly sweet. MAJ M,
tin, who had been mixing cock,ah,,s' thns tbree hn
every inch of the house was 1u,i o,
banny memories softened and saddeneo1 =
by all that had happened since the o,, o,u
DAYS, by all that they knew ana tei, t,,
now and, accompanied os srd ,"e caves as
BY plaintive obligato. .,,
But suddenly. at about 10 O'CLOCK.
Peter had surprised them all by gettine
10 his feet. He was going up 70 the
"In all the rain % they had protested
I'm all the rain" he answered, snak-
ing himself into his coat; he liked ram
lie would rather walk. please. ne toio
Alx, when she offered TO drive ,ttin MN ar. M
| prehensive, she let him go. To CHERRY
who seemed to feel suddenly sad ano
uneasy. Alix laughed about 1t, but sne
was secretly worried herself. ana lmme'
/ diately after breakfast the next morh,ns
decided to run up to the CABIN IN tne
car and assure herself that everything
| was right there. ss
Cheiry, who had not slept and who
was pyle, had come out to the car, me-
distracted manner increasing ,iss Ans
The sisters had loitered at the car
| moment in the exquisite morning fresh
"' "Remember the day the rose win.
came down and you yi0S,aS STawlea Sac,s snt nj tSt
"'%oi oh, don't" Cherry had protested
why not?" her sister had asked ten
derly, reproaehfui.. .,.r.. ma 90 sad tc
th,nt now happy we were I" Cherry .hae
Answered, making an effort to spear
lightly TITS such a glorious morning:
she had AIDED, 'I wish I were gong u
or!SSr 'SWhY up dom don't your" Alix had said
sohEtoo much to do here" Cherr!
had answered, vaguely She had looket
at her sister as II she would IKE I,
speak, smiled un:erta1n,y'b baa aaa started art dor or
her trip with heavy heart, but TN
haif-hour's run soothed her in spite o
herself, and now she reached the capiI
In a much more cheerful mood.
n,unsed irso the work Of house ant
farm yarl she supposed. without givinl
the mi fter a conscious thought, that NJ
had gone to the city. , yo, a.,
Mis- Peter not go tram, now an
bounced, presently. All AiiAs 'asu
suspicious awakened. Ia,
Not 90 train?" she asked, with
premonitory pang ia,
Kow made a large gesture, as indi
eating affairs disorganized. .,..,o
Him no go to bed ne iuf'"e
stated.
AK stopped the busy chopping tina
she was carrying on at the END OF TN
kitchen table, and looked at the Chihes
boy fearfully. .,.o,
No sleep" Kow announced. posi-
lively. And pleased with her tense II II
teTsst, he added Boss come late ii
"He came in late and walked on tn
porch" Alix echoed in low, tone, a
u to herself. And you say he didh
sleep, Kow?"
Bed all same daytime" the boy said
And with the aptless laugh OF his rae
You slept. OF course" Alix answered
absently Where Mr., Peter go now!
she asked. He have some Coffee?
mo eat" the boy answered. He In
dicated the direction of the creek, an
after while Alix, with an Icy hear
went to the bridge and the pool wher
Peter had first found Cherry only
few weeks ago.
He was standing. staring vaguely a
the low and lisping stream, and All
felt great pang Of pity when she say
MIN, He came to her smiling, but a
sherry had smiled, with wan an
CHASTITY face.
Peter you're not well7" Alix said.
u think-I am a little upset" he an
swered. They walked back to the hous
together: Alix ordered him to take
not bath, and made him drink som
conee' when, refreshed and grateful, h
Tne gSnme out to the porch half an hour late