The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1920-12-18
Star
By BESSIE HARRIS
1870. Western Newspaper Union }

TN iEht Va ShVtC ht W
the distant speck Of light from the
window, and as he neared land the
speck of light grew and shone with
his own delight In coming. Home
coming was a never falling delight 10
Joe. He loved to warm his heart at
the thought of the picture there. big
blonde Elizabeth, the elder sister.
briskly busy about the shining cook
stove, preparing for his evening meal
the things he liked best-and Star. the
small wrath Of a sister. curled up In
the couch corner, where she could cas-
lily part the curtains and peer out over
the dark waters. For Star watched
for Joe's white fishing boat as eagerly
as his eyes searched out the light FROM
the window.
'Lisbeth was a born grumbler. and
perhaps sometimes the work did full
too heavily on her broad shoulders,
for though Star might be wistful and
willing, her strength was insufficient
for many tasks.
The coy cottage on the shore had
been handed down from grandparents
to the three children. And 10Y all
their plans to beautify the cottage was
made In the hope of pleasing Star-the
prettiest clothes were hers, and II was
Elizabeth who still grumbling arranged
for her many pleasures. And Star was
radiantly grateful; her love for the
big bronzed brother and the sister
whose own life had known u the hap
piness Of service. was beyond express
sion. As for Joe. the mere thought Ut
her there in the lamplit
brought a strange lump In his throat.
In an emotion which dimmed his clear
eyes as he steered toward the light.
II was Elizabeth. who held open The
door for him. her rosy cheeks and
white apron always a pleasant part Of
his welcome home picture. But 1t was
to little Stac that he turned breathless-
ly. ms she slipped from her couch tn
stand laughing softly and holding out
eager hands II watched YOU said
Stai, .'since I first saw you far against
the sky. and could not tell whether
you were wave r really boat"
And while you watched" grumbled
'Lisbeth. I rolled cookies and biscuits
In the oven this minute unless they
are attended to. Star. you might NJ
least take the pans from the oven
while | talk TO Joe"
II will take Them" Joe offered
quickly, and was of to the kitchen.
That evening, when the girl had bid
den them good night, lingering. her
shining eyes caressing them both from
the doorway, Elizabeth turned abrupt
ly to her brother.
Joe" she said. II have something
TO tell you. Something that i only
learned today. l vas hunting in the
old Bible for my birth date thought
I'd made a mistake Of a year. and
looked 1t up. And there. folded In the
birth and death place was an old let
ter. Seemed queer as I looked that
Stars birth had never been registered
with ours--but the letter explained
that. Mother had written II before
she died, and left II there for safe
keeping. Thought perhaps I'd find II
WfICh L Wtilt 10 WFitt III uhtC vi ftcT
death. Bun I didn't think to do II,
Joe. l will give you mothers letter
In a minute, but this is what II said /:
Star isn't our sister at all she never
has-belonged. One night when we
were away at school a boat anne drift
ing along without any folks, or any
oars. and in 1t all wrapped and quiet.
lay a baby. First, mother thought the
tiny white face was a reflection of
n big star that seemed someway to
keep shining down on the boat. But
when she found what II was, mother
sent father out to bring In the boat,
and the baby's eyes stared up at her
she said. steady and shiny like the
star. And so she named her. No
n ever anne to claim the baby, and
though father tried to learn at the
time. there was no word Of accident or
loss. That's all. Joe: but I've given
my young life. II seems, to the care
Of a child not kith or kin. And I have
kept from marrying Jed Warren be-
cause of what l considered my duty"
'Lisbeth paused.
Il shall marry him now" she said
determinedly.
Joe made no reply. When at last
his sister went sulkily to bed. he read
the letter slowly through. Then with
face aglow, big Joe jumped to his
feet.
"Star,' he called softly. "Oh, my
little Star"
There was no answer. Vaguely trou-
bled. Joe wen M to the sands stand
ing where the water. stretched silver
ing before him In the moonlight. Not
far from shore he saw a drifting boat,
Stars own little boat, with the blue
Star at Its side that he had painted.
The girl sat in the stern. a detected
figure, he could see her dark hair rip
ping over her shoulders as II used TO
do when years & she came at bed
time for his goodnight kiss. Joe
strobe out into the water. When he