The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1920-10-02
FOR SISTERS
SAKE
BY RALPH HAMILTON.

err"
1t was John Mowbrey, father of the
young man named, who asked the
question, and some interest and sus-
pense showed in voice and face.
"Sit down, john" said Mrs. Now
brey In her quiet, sensible way. This
Is a subject that means our sons hap
piness or misery, and we must act
with prudence and wisdom. Ever
since the WeIby's and their two beau
tiful daughters, Eiita and Wanda,
moved into the town Walter has been
more than attracted by them"
"Yes, have observed that" nodded
John Mowbrey thoughtfully.
"When you told him that you would
present him with modern house and
lot he felt that 1t was time to look
around for a wife. While he seems
to think the world of the Welby girls,
! have noticed that he has been I'm
decided and worried, as though he
could not make up his mind. Today
I had quiet talk with him. His
choice is Wanda. Dear, gentle, loving
creature. she would be mine, too. II
the decision were left to me-"
"Then why doesn't he settle down
to that, and act accordingly quer-
led practical, hard-headed John.
"Well. love is capricious, you know,
and he doesn't think he knows
Wanda's mind. John made sort of
confession to me today. He says that
he became quite well acquainted with
Wanda. At the first, her bright,
sprlghtly ways captivated him COM
pleteiy. You see, she came first on
the scene. At the end of the week
Elita appeared. From the sis-t, John
declared. her grand, regal ways sort
Of awed him, and then he naturally
felt flattered when Elita began to
show decided preference for his
company"
"H'm! Ellta Is fipe-looking girl,
and no mistake" commented Mr.. Now
brey. "But the other sister-did she
turn against him?"
mot at all. Walter says she was
Just as pleasant and agreeable as be-
fore, only she encourages him to pay
the most attention to her sister. When
he goes around Saturdays and sees
Wanda first, and invites her to
drive, she manages to make some ex-
cuse and then, as II it was plan
made up between them, Elita appears,
smiling and condescending, and some
how 1t is she who goes motoring. while
Wanda stays at home. Walter is be-
wildered quite, for he feels it an honor
to have Elita, who treats other young
men with icy dignity, select him as
her escort"
tits puzzle, isn't it?" voiced Mr.
Mowbrey In a perplexed tone. whats
going to come Of it?"
Poor Walterl Adorable, but fur
tive Wanda 1t became patent to the
former there had come over the love-
Iy young girl great change. She no
longer encouraged his companionship.
which she at first seemed to so great
" enjoy. at times, too, Walter fam
cied shade Of growing sadness in
her horny eyes. She did not seem TO
care for any other Of the numerous
beaux In her train.
-Four times In succession, while they
started for Morton to the west. fol-
lowed by the observant and constant
gAze Of Mrs. Welby, little way out
Of town Elita had suggested that they
visit Lfscomb, to the east. Each time
she said she had some shopping TO do,
and each time she was lost to the
direct view Of patient, waiting Wal
tsr for over an hour. She was de-
pressed or buoyant by turns, and al
ways when she returned to the ma
chine, and Invariably On each occasion
she said to Walter:
you need not mention 1t at home
that we visited Liscomb, If you
please."
At which. Walter marveled, but one
afternoon the imperious, yet always
affable Miss Welby, requested him to
halt his car at the edge of Liscomb
and await her return. She was gone
for fully two hours. There was a new
brightness In her eyes as she reap
peared, flustered, and seeming to sup
press some great Joy.
"Mr. Mowbrey," she spoke at once,
Il owe you the deepest gratitude, If
you only knew 1t. hope that in our
close companionship which / have en-
couraged. You have never fancied that
was In love with you"
The amazing words overwhelmed
Walter. "How could think that you,
With your regal beauty, could deign
TO look upon me except as one Of the
many loyal suitors who think it an
honor to win from you the smallest
aotice7'
and you do love Wanda?"
This Is pretty plain questioning"
submltted Walter.
TT needs to be-" said the self-as-
sertfve young lady. "Thanks to you.
have lulled the watchfulness and sus-
pIcions Of my parents, and have just
secretly married the man love. He
has lust won a high position. and l