The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-07-23
SISTERS BOTH
By AGNES G. BRoGAN.
'opyrigh ut, 1920, Western Newspaper Union.

sat the side of the hill. It's flOOr was
as clean as white SAND could make 1t,
md 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
cherry, her own bright face the u n
niest thing Of all, Her grandfather in
leaving the cottage forever, bestowed
fl upon Rabbette, remembering the
yCer5 That She had ministered unto
nina repaying his loving care of her
hflilood. They had been very happy,
these two, and when Gene came that
had but added to the happiness.
Tor witA Genes coming love en-
,JrVd the pure heart of the little maid,
and grandfather was relieved Of his
lonely fears concerning her future.
Habbette earnestly searched her
Lgart and found that there was moth
ing she would o sacrifice for this
man she LOVED, and it was after she
had begun to sew the long seams Of
her marriage linen that Babbette be-
came aware of her lovers silent atti-
tudc and asked the cause.
It's no use, Babbette,' he burst out
~paSsionately. Il can't go on with this
humdrum life.
The little maid stared unbelieving-
~ into the mans shamed, restless face,
1hen smiled her trusting smile.
IF ii is SO" she said, and you
must go, Gene, her how will you do
it?'
4 have already a buyer for my
place." he answered eagerly, and Bah
Nefta sighed, that his plans had all
been made.
when paint the pictures" Gene
comforted, then l will come back for
YOU, Balbctte, and you shall not live
humhly 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. that | would live" she
breathed, 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, that 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 inen 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 It's beating. Gene was
Ill. 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 one 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 over 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
I shall find Gene Martinez"
The pretty girl sat down on the step
at Babbette's side.
"You are-his sister?' she asked
kindly.
II was his fiancee," Babbette an
swered in her honest way. until Gene
went away and met-that other girl.
II she had loved him l would have
given him to her. But he Is III, and
because Of fear, the girl has gone
away. Sol came. l am Babbette.'
The pretty girl smiled, then sudden
~ tears filed her eyes.
80 you came" she softly repeated,
and you are Babbette!" Impulsively
h put her arm through the little
maids. II will take you to Genes
door," she offered, and there-paused.
II hope that you will be happy" the
girl said, land l hope that he will be
worthy Of your love-"
She waited to see Babbette's face
QlOrified as she naSSed through the