Evening star., 1927-05-13
Sister Sarah

~ ARAH TODD stepped out of tn,
cab that had brought her t
the door Of the large gra,
~ house, paid the driver, took he
bag and mounted the steps il
that resolute way characteristic oi
her. Less than so years of age, she
was a fine looking, full-bosomed WON
an in a trim and becoming hat.
She set down the bag and punched
the bell. Steps sounded within. the
door opened, another woman faced
Sarah Todd. This second woman was
thin, pale, troubled of look and man
ner. Yet she resembled Sarah in that
unmistakable way known as a family
likeness. In fact. they were sisters
sarah gasped Lucy White. She
held out her arms and the sisters en-.
folded each other in n warm embrace.
Il thought it was time / came to
see YOU" Sarah said Il have not
liked the tone of your letters lately"
They were interrupted by the alb
rupt appearance of a boy of 4. who
tore into the room on a rampant choo-
choo. He stared at the stranger as he
: reined in his steed,
AZ suppose this is Annals son."
Sarah said. regarding him intently.
yes" Lucy sighed. The child was
want now, baby" she asked wearily.
Il want a cooly," he answered,
And Lucy smiled feebly as she al
lowed herself TO be led away.
Sarah sat down and took a good
look about her. The room was COM
Portable, handsome and in perfect or
der. Sarah knew who kept ii so. Her
sister was no better than an unpaid
servant in the house which she had
earped for her daughter. For it was
because of Lucy's long service to her
dead husbands parents that they had
left this house to their grandchild,
Anna. Lucys sole reward was the
privilege of being with Anna. And
Anna was exactly like her domineer-
ing, selfish old grandfather She had
somehow not either the qualities of
her weak, consumptive father, who
had died the same year she was born,
or the finer, sentler disposition of her
mother.
When Lucy hurriedly returned TO
the room she was nerVously apollo
Eetic for neglecting her sister.
"Julian has been sick SO much that
Tn afraid we humor him more than
we ought to- she said.
81 can see that" Sarah said dryly.
I take off my coat and hat and stay
here with you or shall l go to the
hotel?'
''Why, Sarah. You must stay here,
of course" But there was. note of
uncertainty in her voice.
Where is Anna?"
II believe she's playing bridge at
Mrs. Blaine's."
Bridge. eh?" Sarah shrugged her
shoulders. Yes, / can imagine that
is just what Anna would DO. Her
old grand-dad was perfect card fiend
Hs I remember him. Well, never mind
that. Tell me how you are. After all,
that's what 1 came to find out
''Why, I'm all right" Sitting on
the edge of a chair, Lucy smiled
hravely.
'You don't look it, my dear. Your
color isn't what it should be and
you're below weight. You remember,
Lucy, haven't seen you in a long
time-not since before Annals mar
riage. You were mistress of this
house then, for Anna was away at
school. You were very attractive.
And I was sure you were going to
marry John O'Brien.' She paused.
A wild color swept Lucy's gentle
face. She knotted her slender fingers.
t'Oh, don't believe he ever had any
such notion as-that," she stammered.
s'He's away from home, he's taking
long trip West now"
"Yes, he stopped off and paid me a
visit Same old john"
He always thought lot of you,
Sarah" Lucy said wistfulIy.
"He does yet. If you don't mind |
Lucy, I'd like to take a bath and put