The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1920-07-17
SISTERS BOTH
BY AGNES C. BRoeAN.

BaDDeltS one-rOOm cottage nestled
at the side of the hill. Its floor was
as clean as white sand could make 1t,
and where the crisp folds of muslin
curtain parted in the window a ported
plant showed a CHEEKY crimson hover.
In fact everything about Babbette was
CHEEKY, her W bright face the sun
NEST thing Of all. Her grandfather in
leaving the cottage forever, bestowed
it upon Babbette, remembering the
years that she had ministered unto
him, repaying his loving are of her
childhood. They had been very happy,
these two, and when Gene came that
had but added to the happiness.
For with Genes coming love en-
tered the pure heart of the little maid,
and grandfather was relieved of his
lonely fears concerning her future.
Babbette earnestly searched her
heart and found that there was moth.
ing she would not sacrifice for this
man she loved; and 1t was after she
had begun to sew the long seams of
her marriage linen that Babbette be-
ttiAA0 wal VI liGI IOAtl y SlltIll dlll-
tude and asked the cause.
ITS no, use, Babbette," he burst out
,passionately. II can't go on with this
humdrum life.
The little maid stared unbelieving-
ly into the mans shamed, restless face,
then smiled her trusting smile.
IF it is So" she said. 'and you
must go, Gene, then how will you do
it?"
II have already a buyer for my
place. he answered eagerly, and Bah
bette sighed tha{akhis plans had all
been made.
when l paint the pictures" Gene
comforted, then I will come back for
you, Babbette, and you shall not live
humbly as you do now But when
she had kissed him good-by Babbette
went into her shining kitchen and
touched her cheek to the flower in the
window.
1T is so, hat l would live" she
b%reathed, troubled. She now wove her
dreams about the letters which came,
at first plentifully, then few and far
between, from Gene in the city. And
though Babbette went about her
daily tasks, she did not sing any more,
for before the final cruel letter came
she had known with loves instinct
what it would be.
I'm sorry" Gene wrote, shat I'm
not sure of myself any more, Babbette,
nor even SURE of my love for you.
Don't you think we'd better not be be-
trothed. you and but wait and see
how things turn out? There's a girl
here
Babbette folded the letter and put
it carefully in the linen chest. 1t was
Genes writing and it might be the last
she would have from him.
So summer passed, and fall, with no
word from Gene. And then, the sur
prise of his handwriting upon a broad
envelope caused her aching heart to
stop almost its beating. Gene was
i'll. He thought she ought to know.
There would be no one to tell her
if he should not get better. He
wanted her to know that he realized
now her worth. The other girl who
had been kind fled, he said, when it
was made known that he, too, had
succumbed to the infectious disease
which was sweeping the land. She
lived in the artists building, close to
him. Had she loved him, of course
she would not have gone without a
word. And he-was a failure. The
masters gave him no promise. His
money was all gone. There was even
little food. Abruptly Gene ended his
letter, ''good-by."
Babbette reached the great strange
city next day. 1t had been hard to
part with Nab, the COW, but grand
fathers friend paid for her sufficient
money to tide Babbette ove her jour
ney. And when she reached the ram
bling building where Gene really
lived, she sat bewildered on the stair
which led to the students rooms.
81 don't know" she said to a chic
pretty girl who started to pass, "where
l shall find Gene Martinez"
Inc pretty girl SdI uoNu Ou lue Slep
at Babbette's side.
You are-his sister," she asked
kindly.
II was his fancee," Babbette an
swered in her honest way, until Gene
went away and met-that other girl.
If she had loved him l would have
given him to her. But he is i'll, and
because of fear, the girl has gone
away. Sol came. I am Babbette."
The pretty girl smiled, then sudden
ly tears filled her eyes.
$50 you came" she softly repeated,
'and you are Babbettel" Impulsively
she put her arm through the little
maids. 81 will AXE you to Genes
door," she offered, and there-paused.
81 hope that you will be happy" the
girl said, land 1 hope that he will be
worthy of your love-"
She waited to see Babbette's face
-Jo-;G.1 90 che 10000 kA,,,I A.