News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-09-14

Sisters
by
KATHLEEN
NORRIS
SYNOPSIS.
Copyright by Kathleen Norris

CHAPTER with his two daughters,
AliX and Cherry, the latter just eighteen
years old, and his niece, Anne, Doctor
Strickland, retired, is living at Mil Val
ley, short distance from San Francisco.
thing of a recluse. Visiting in the vi
entity, Martin Lloyd, mining engineer.
falls in love with and secretly becomes
engaged to Cherry.
CHAPTER II.-while the, family is
specializing as to Lloyd's intentions. Cher
Ty brings him to supper practically an
nouncing her engagement to him.
IL thought he might have hurt
himself!" Cherry said, in the softest
'of iittle-girl voices and with her shy
aittle head hanging. Anne decided
that it was becoming her clear duty
20 talk to Cherry.
A few minutes later AlX, Peter and
Martin left for the daily ceremony o.
walking into the village for the mail.
The house was very STILL early sum-
1ner sweetness was drifting through
w1de-opened windows and doors; the
dong day was slowly declining. Anne
peeped into the deserted living room,
:softened through all its pleasant
,shabbiness into real beauty by the
shafts of sunset red that came in
through the easement windows; and
was celebrating between various be-
coming occupations - for Martin
might walk back with the girls
when her uncle called her
"Anne-you weren't there when that
young chap tumbled. But I've been
worrying about it a little. There's no
Question-there's no question that she
that Cherry-called him by his
name. Martin she called him"
Anne had crossed to the shadowy
FactkrWay; she stood still.
You've not noticed anything be-
Eween him and Cherry?" pursued the
doctor. "a girl might call a man by
his name, | suppose"
81 don't think there has been any
thing to notice." Anne stated, in level
tone.
"Well, it must be stopped, if it has
begun" decided her uncle Il can't
spermit it'd forgotten how the little
witch grows!"
Again Anne was silent. She was
not in love with Martin Lloyd; she
was. not as susceptible as the much
younger Cherry, and she had not had
ShiS urging to help her to quick sur
render. But for the first time in her
life she had seen an absolutely suit
sable man, a man whose work, position,
looks, name and character fitted her
rather exacting standard, and for the
&Iirst time she had let herself think
confidently of being wooed and won.
And, standing in the doorway, she
tasted the last bitter dregs of the |
dream. Ii was all over, Anne was |
at the age that sets twenty-five years !
as the definite boundary of spinster- |
hood. She would be twenty-five in |
August.
AliX came in from her walk glow
ing, and full of a great discovery.
Dad" she said eagerly, taking her
place at the supper table, what do |
you think I'll bet you a dollar that I
Enan is falling in love with our |
Gherryw
Anne, at the head of the table, |
Cooked panied, but there was genuine |
apprehension in the doctors face
where is your sister," he asked.
Down there by the gate" AIix an
severed. They're gazing soulfully into
each others eyes, and all that Peter
went home But Cherry-with a beau
9sn't that the ultimate extension Of
the limit! I'm crazy about i'll think
its great. l love weddings! This'll
1e the third I've been to-"
"Al this seems to have come up
very suddenly" the doctor said, dazed-
gy rumpling his gray hair with a fine
old hand. Il don't imagine your sister
SIS taking it as seriously as you and
Anne seem inclined to"
"Oh, does Anne think so I" Alix ex-
claimed.
Il think Cherry is one of the for
%RInate girls destined to drift along
0he surface of life" Anne said, land
% accept wifehood quite simply. l
only wish l were that type"
She was interrupted by Cherry her
self. The girl came to the porch door,
and as she hesitated there a minute,
with her smiling eyes seeking her ia
Shers face, they saw that by one firm,
small hand she drew her lover beside
aler. Martin Lloyd's smiling face
showed above hers in the lamplight.
Dad" said Cherry, with a childish
a0reath. Dad! I've brought Martin
go supper"
CHAPTER III.