MY HALF SISTER
By ELTON HARRIS
i CHAPTER IV. ( Continued. )
' It was terribly galling , but until she
came of age there was no help for it.
Well , the only thing to do was to make
the best of things , and be as happy as
circumstances would permit But this
was easier said than done ; there was
not a soul in Chalfont she liked or
trusted , and time hung heavily on her
handH , for she could not always be
with the Anstruther's , even had madame -
dame allowed it , and no one else came
near them. Madame , had she known
it , was in rather a difficulty. She great
ly valued the Anstruthers' acquaint
ance , making a point of stopping to
speak whenever she met them in Rev-
erton , and hoping those who kept aloof
from Chalfont would observe it ; but ,
strange to say , she had forgotten Reg
gie , who , indeed , was not often at
Jiome. and now Kate had aroused her
suspicions she was much perplexed.
She had her own plans for Mollie and
if it came to a choice between them
and the Anstruthers' friendship , she
must reluctantly abandon their friend
ship.
ship.Mollie
Mollie soon found the difference ; she
was never left alone for a'mlnute. Was
she going into Reverton , madame was
going also , or Henri would accompany
her ; there was nothing he would en
joy more.
"What do you think of Henri ,
Joyce ? " asked Mollie the Saturday aft
ernoon preceding Easter Sunday , when
she had managed to evade both the
Dubois , and , taking Kate to put a
wreath on their mother's grave , had
gone on to the White house.
The White house was not so large as
Chalfont , but it had a beautiful old
garden , and the two girls were wan
dering up and down the sheltered
paths , while Kate took a solemn , digni
fied ride on the old swing under the
trees that had recalled to Mollie her
childhood days.
"He was very pleasant the few times
he has been here , " Joyce responded
doubtfully , pausing to look at the yel
low daffodils the sweet-scented
, - jon
quils that lifted their heads from the
dark mould. "But do you . like him ,
Mollie ? "
"I am afraid not/ ' said she , thought
fully. "You see , Joyce dear , he acts
so strangely. He pretends to me that
he loves England and the country , and
I know he loves nothing but his be
loved Paris. Yesterday he insisted up
on accompanying me for a country
walk , and madam said nothing , though
she was angry when Reggie went with
me to get moss. I know he hated it ,
for he had on French patent leather
boots , and really could hardly limp
home ; and then , as I was going up
stairs , I heard him swearing awfully
to himself as he pulled them off. But
he paid me compliments all the time ,
and he tells me that he adores 'le
sport , ' but he does not understand a
gun , and he dare not drive the chest
nuts , I know. And and I cannot help
thinking that because I shall have
"
money -
She looked at Joyce , Avistfully , and
Joyce not wishing to meet those sweet
gray eyes at the moment , contemplated
the daffodils , -while she rapidly turned
over in her own mind how to answer.
Heverton both said and thought a
great deal about the inmates of Chal
font that it would be a great pity for
Mollie to know. For good or evil she
was unfortunately in Madam Dubois'
care at present ; therefore why make
her feet more uncomfortable than was
necessary.
That Henri was paying court to the
heiress seemed likely enough ; her for
tune would be a large one to a French
man ; and that her own darling , hand
some Reggie had more than a liking
lor the lovely , slender girl herself was
equally true. Raising her eyes from
the flowers , Joyce caught sight of both
young men advancing towards them ,
and Reggie called out :
"I have brought you a visitor , Joyce.
Mollie , come and have a swing with
the child , for the sake of old lang
syne. "
They all turned back together to the
spot where Kate was slowly swinging
herself to and fro. But Joyce felt far
from comfortable as she stood with
the young Frenchman watching the
half-sisters , as Reggie's strong , brown
hand on the rope sent them flying up
and down Mollie's pinkandhite
lace like the spring day itself ; Kate's
flaxen curls floating on the breeze.
It was a pretty picture enough of
youth , and , perhaps , looking at two of
the faces , of love. But Henri did not
seem to appreciate it as he stood fierce
ly twisting his silky little black mous
tache , while his sharp black eyes roved
from one to the other , and his remarks
grew fewer and fewer.
"I shall have a swing put up in my
grounds , " announced Kate condescend
ingly , as they came to a full stop.
"Mother had one made near the fen-
uis-lawn , " said Mollie , pushing back
her rebellious curls , and fastening her
"Oh , that is not good enough , " re
torted' the child , her deep-set , gray
eyes fixed on her sister with cool In
solence , "Chalfont is my property ,
and I shall have everything done that
I like. "
Reggie took his hand off the ropes
with a muttered exclamation that , ,
sounded not unlike "little beast. " and
asked Mollie to come down to look at
the tennis court , and as Henri seemed
determined to go also , Joyce disre
garded her brother's appealing eye ,
and watched them off , for she had no
ticed the sudden flush on Mollie's face.
She knew how tenderly the girl re
garded everything her mother had
done , and in some wrath determined
to have a word with the' vain-glorious
owner of Chalfont , whom , indeed , she
would dearly have enjoyed shaking.
Kate was looking after the retreat
ing trio with rather a disconcerted ex
pression , for her sharp ears had caught
Reggie's remark , and she liked Reg
gie ; her boasting had been principally
to impress him with Uer Importance.
"Every one sec-.JS to like Mollie ! "
she said crossly. "I suppose it is be
cause she is a L'Estrange ; Jane and
Harriet say so. Though I think it is
horribly mean of the Reverton people
not to call on us , and make such a fuss
over her , for , as Jane often says , I am
the heiress and mistress of Chalfont ,
and much richer than Mollie. "
"I will tell you why every one likes
Mollie , " replied Joyce , regarding the
stylishly arrayed little imp severely.
"It is not alone because she is very
pretty , but because she is always pleas
ant and sunny. Who ever heard Mol
lie say biting and unkind things on
purpose to hurt people , or boasting
about her possessions ? "
"I suppose you mean that I do. " And
Kate sat still on the swing , and flung
her curls back with an angry gesture.
"Yet Mollie has g-gt some money , you
know , or Aunt Clifre would not make
such a fuss of her. Harriet says that
she is sure she means to marry her to
Henri ; I heard her. But Jane says
that with my persition I ought to
marry a title ; and I intend to. "
And having delivered herself of
these sentiments in her high childish
voice she pushed the swing off with
one thin , black-silk-stockinged leg.
"Who are Jane and Harriet ? " asked
Joyce shortly.
"My servants. "
4'0h ! And when you marry this
nobleman , 'suppose you have two dear
little girls , you will naturally leave
this property to the younger ? "
"Certainly not ; that would not be
fair. I should leave the most to the
elder , or divide it. " Kate had begun
with lofty eloquence , then she caught
Joyce's eye , and , being a very quick
child , saw the pit into which she had
fallen , and stopped abruptly. "You
think Mollie has not been properly
treated ? The people in Reverton think
so , " she ended , below her breath.
"That has nothing to do with us ,
Kate , " Joyce said gravely. "But if
you can see this , perhaps though you
are so young you can also see how
well Mollie behaves. She does not
grudge you anything , though Chal
font was her home before you were
born. She never says bitter things to
you , yet who has the most reason ? I
wonder you don't love her ! "
Joyce never forgot the strange old
look on the little thin face , as the
child glanced at her after a dead pause.
There was something both sad and
weird about it ; she might have been a
hundred , with all the cares of life on
her small shoulders , and looking at
her Joyce remembered with a wave of
compassion that she was but 10 , and ,
if report said true , her life had never
been as other children's. She had been
a tool in her father's hands from birth ;
she was one in her aunt's now. Spoiled
from policy , neglected from want of
affection , left to the care of ignorant
servants , who flattered her for their
own ends and filled her head with
nonsense , what chance had the un
fortunate little heiress had ?
"Come along , " she said , holding out
her hand to the silent child. "I see
my mother beckoning to us from the
drawing room window ; let us run and
call the others in for some tea" . "
CHAPTER V.
The White House was one of the
most comfortable of homes ; no dis
sension was ever heard there. The
very servants , who had been in Mrs.
Anstruther's service for years , seemed
to share the prevailing harmony of
contentment , and took a pride in serv
ing the family faithfully.
And Mollie could not but notice the
difference as. after a somewhat quiet
walk home along the country road that
separated the two houses by about a
mile , the gates of Chalfont had clanged
to behind them , and a morose-looking
maid opened the hall door.
No household , ° ould have been happy
under Madame Dubois' tyrannical rule ,
Mollie had quite made up her mind to
that ; and also another point namely :
That both mother and son were to be
kept at arm's length ; that she was a
L'Estrange , and could not could not
stand them !
And she had walked home in a fer-
ment of indignation because' Henri ,
after all the rebuffs she had given him ,
had actually dared to call her "Mol-
lee" before the Anstruthers and a few
vlstors who had come In , and assumed
airs of proprietorship as he marched
them home.
So as'Kate skipped off after the
sulky-looking maid , she turned abrupt
ly to the young man , who was loung
ing in the doorway furtively watching
her with a faint cynical smile in his
round black eyes. She was but a
school girl , this young English mees ,
but she was adorably pretty , with a
skin ah , such lovely white skin
what would not Celestine or Lucle give
for It !
"Monsieur Dubois. " she said gently ,
fixing her clear gray eyes upon his
dark face , "now my half-sister is gone
I wish to speak to you to remind you
that we are mere acquaintances , and
to such I am not 'Mollie , ' but Miss
L'Estrange. I am sorry you have
forced ma to mention this. I hoped
that you understood it. "
For a moment they stood facing
each other , but her eyes never quailed
before his ; she had spirit and courage ,
this mere school girl , he recognized ,
yet a very evil look came into his face
for a second ere he replied :
"And why for not , mademoiselle ;
you are my mother's ward , and that
long-legged Anstruther he calls you
what he please , doesn't he ? "
"The Anstruthers are old family
friends , " she said hurriedly. "But it
is not a subject to argue. I simply
state my wishes , which I feel sure you
will respect. "
"Dp not be too confident. " he mut
tered between his teeth. "It is pos
sible that I may resent being treated
worse than this other fellow "
"You have no right to resent any
thing , monsieur , " she interrupted , with
a haughty gesture. "I am alone here ,
but I can appeal to Madame Dubois , as
I am in her care. "
And she paused irresolutely as his
mocking laugh fell upon' her ear.
"Bah , mademoiselle , she lives but for
me ! " he said , with veiled insolence.
" 1 am master here. "
It was true Mollie's heart was beat
ing uncomfortably fast ; the prospect
looked gloomy ; but she had plenty of
spirit , and Henri's whole manner was
so detestable that her pride came to
her aid and stilled her fears.
"If I am not treated with ordinary
politeness , and allowed to live in
peace , I shall complain to my trus
tees , " she retorted , with flashing eyes.
"Of no use at all , " he returned , with
a sweeping bow. Then , coming closer
and laying a small claw-like hand on
her arm : "See here , Mol-lee , you are
in my mother's power absolutely for
two years , and she has an awful tem
per when opposed. You had better be
friends with me. I , Henri Dubois , offer
you my friendship. "
Mollie shrank from hia touch , from
the sound of his thin , false voice , with
unutterable loathing , realizing , poor
child ! with terrible distinctness that ,
like the man in the parable , she had
fallen among thieves ; then she drew
back , throwing up her head with a
scornful jerk , while her knees trembled
so much that she leaned back against
the door for support.
"You have again disregarded my
wishes , monsieur. " And by a great
effort she spoke firmly. ' "I have noth
ing more to say. " And she went down
the steps into the garden.
( To be Continued. )
Reasons of French Preparations.
Lord Salisbury is not wrong
he alludes to the very unfavorable feel
ing toward England existing through
out the world , but to suppose that this
feeling can lead to anything mere un
less England herself provokes "it , espe
cially to believe that this pretended ex
plosion is to occur at any precise date ,
such as November of the present year ,
is simply idiotic and ridiculous. In
any case we are sure of one thing , that
France at any rate is contemplating
nothing of the kind , and in the present
state of the world a coalition could
not be formed against England with
out France. It is true that for some
time past we have become accustomed
to contemplate the possibility of a rup
ture with England , and we have even
made definite preparations in consequence
quence , but we have been compelled
do this by circumstances that were not
of our seeking , which we have been
very reluctant to take into account.
Paris Journal des Debats.
The Sustaining rower of Bananas.
One of the most courageous marches
ever taken was that of Col. Willcocks
to Kumasi. We hear that during the
march from Kumasi the whole party
lived on bananas. On one occasion
they even waded shoulder high
through a river for two hours. Does
anyone want a higher test of endur
ance on a vegetable diet than this ?
The Vegetarian.
Supreme Bench Dicnity irksome.
That the dignity of the Supreme
bench is sometimes burdensome is il
lustrated by a remark made by Justice
Brewer to a Washington official. The
justice was about to take his vaca
tion , and he said : "I.am . glad I am
going to a resort where I can wear
one gallus , no collar , and roll up my
pants. "
Finest Roa < H in "World.
Bermuda and the Bahama islands
boast of the finest roads in the world.
They are made of coral , and are as
smooth as a dancing floor and never
dirty. The coral is smoothed and
pressed with- rollers until it is prac
tically solid.
I Current Topics f
Once 4OOOOOOO JVoto
OOOOOO.
E. A. Davis , one of the heirs of the
great Davis estate , died under- dis
tressing circumstances at the county
hospital , Chicago , last week.
His death was caused by brain fever
brought on by years of worry over
legal complications connected _ _ with
the will case and family troubles. He
was only 35 years old and had a very
active career ever since his boyhood.
Two years ago Mrs. Davis applied for
and secured a divorce from him. Their
two young children were placed in the
hands of a guardian , and the parting
with his little ones is said to have
contributed more than anything else
to his mental distress and subsequent
fatal illness.
The great Montana estate of his
uncle , the value of which has dwin
dled from ? 40,000,000 down to $4,000-
300 , is still in the courts , and it is im
probable that an early settlement will
be reached. The case has been drag-
jji
E. A. DAVIS.
ging along for over ten years , and
though the claimants came to an am
icable arrangement among themselves
three years ago , the Montana courts
still hold the property intact , that is ,
what is left of it. Hundreds of law
yers have grown rich upon the fees
necessitated by keeping it in the
courts.
A. Gain for Gossips.
Since sociology has taken such a
firm hold upon inquiring minds that
somewhat bedraggled lady , Dame
Gossip , has gained a new dignity.
What used to be looked upon as idle
chatter about one's neighbors is now
come to be regarded in the light of
scientific inquiry about social units.
Those old themes , the love of dress ,
the love of one's i-ieighbor , and the
lack of love for one's family , which
were supposed to set pivoty tongues
to wagging now set lofty brains to
brooding , and to accumulate items of
news is a pursuit worthy of the most
dignified of investigators. It is now
the business of half the world to find
out how the other half lives , and that
old statement of Pope's that the proper
study of mankind is man is today ac
cepted in a broad sociological spirit.
S"ep Winner Again at &JorJ ( .
The venerable Sep Winner , despite
his 73 years , is the author of a cam
paign song , which
he expects to score
as big a hit as his
compositions of
years ago , that
have brought
him fame , if not
fortune , For some
time his pen has
been idle , but the
melody in his
_ , . heart could never
Sep. Winner. . . _
die > and < rfi
quired little stimulus to reawaken into
song all the chords and harmonies
that rang through his soul and found
the "Mocking Bird , " and other popular
airs. What' success may await him
with his new song one can not say ,
but there will be hundreds of old ad
mirers of his compositions who will
welcome it on account of its author ,
if for no other reason. These will be
interested to learn something of its
writer , if only to reawaken old mem
ories.
"Death of Prince Henry.
The death of Prince Henry , who
was the uncle of the Grand Duke of
PRINCE HENRY.
Hesse , removes the only male relative
in direct succession to the Hessian
throne. He was married morganatic-
ally , and in this way his children are
precluded from succession.
JLatuycr.
Judge Abraham Marks , the origina
of Harriet Beecher Stowe's character
in "Uncle Tom's Cabin , " is quite 111 In
St. Peter's hospital , Brooklyn , at the
aged of 87. Judge
Marks was hard
ly the man de
scribed by Mrs.
Stowe in her fa
mous book. Quite
the reverse , In
fact , for he was a
war friend of
Henry Ward
Beecher. Uncle
Tom's creator
used only his
name , and did seat
at the suggestion
of her reverend
judge Marks ,
brother , offered in
a moment of merriment. But the
name struck , and the judge's friends
have never since called him in any
fashion of speech except "Marks , 'the
lawyer. " Judge Marks is a courteous ,
learned , old-style gentleman , with a
heart as tender as that of the fictional
Marks was hard. He came from Vir
ginia to New York in 1832 , was a re
porter on the old Star , and afterward
studied law. He laid away a compet
ence for his old age.
Inthe Public Eye Again.
If rumor can oe relied upon , King
Leopold II , of Belgium , may abdicate
his throne this fall in favor of his
nephew , Prince Albert , who will be
married soon to Duchess Elizabeth , of
Bavaria. Were it not for the fact that
the retirement of King Leopold has
been the subject of repeated rumors
heretofore , some credence might be at
tached to the report which now comes
from Belgium , but so frequently has
the good-natured monarch of late
years had occasion to contradict such
reports that there are comparatively
few readers who will stop to give the
matter second thought. King Leo
pold has held the reins of govern
ment continuously since 1865. Prince
Albert is the son of the late Count of
Flanders , brother to the king. He suc
ceeded to the claims of Prince Bald
win , his elder brother , who died in
1891. Leopold has three daughters , but
these are disqualified by the Belgian
constitution , the succession being
KING LEOPOLD.
shifted when the monarch has no male
issue to the eldest brother and his
heirs.
Ctrl Tramps Jfumerous.
New Jersey has come to the front
with a product entirely its own. It
is nothing less than the female tramp ,
dressed in boy's clothing and stealing
rides on freight trains. She is be
coming common. The other morning
"James" Robinson of Philadelphia
was released from the county correc
tion farm at Trenton on payment of a
$3 fine , the money having been sent
by telegraph from Philadelphia.
"James" is a girl about 16 years old.
She was arrested by a railroad detec
tive and sent to the farm chained to
six tramps. When captured she had
a large revolver strapped to a belt
around her waist , and upon being
questioned promptly admitted her sex.
She refused to give her name , but
said she was trying to reach the home
of her uncle in New Brunswick. The
justice committed her to the stone
quarry for thirty days in default of
the $3 fine imposed. This is the third
girl tramp the detectives have arrest
ed at the coal chutes there within a
few days.
"Dr. Miller's Misfortune.
Dr. George L. Miller , the veteran
physician , editor and political writer
of Omaha , has been suffering from a
mental ailment for
some time , and
his disease took a
violent form last
week. He was
taken to St. Ber
nard's hospital in
Council Bluffs ,
where he will be
kept until it shall
b e ascertained
whether or not D. Ciller ,
there is any hope
of his ultimate recovery. Dr. Miller
has been conspicuous in all movements
for public good in Nebraska ever since
he established the Omaha Herald in
1865. For four years he served as
surveyor of the port of Omaha.
Dr. Miller has been intimately ac
quainted with many eminent states
men , among whom the late Horatio
Seymour and the late Samuel J. Tilden
were conspicuous. He is a native of
Oneida county , New York , and is 73
years old.
?
15he
"Panorama.
President of Purdue.
Dr. Wlnthrop Ellsworth Stone ,
who has succeeded the late James
H. Smart as president of Purdue uni
versity , Lafayette , Ind. , served the
college as vice-
7
EDWARD J. STEELE.
and two nights , and nine of the twen
ty-four members of his company were
seriously wounded.
"Defends Her Worlds.
Sarah Grand , the novelist , who is
engaged in a sharp controversy with
an English clergyman as to the effects
of her stories upon the minds of the
young was born in
Ireland. She began
writing at the age
of 11 and at 16
was married to an
army officer with
whom she traveled
in Ceylon , China , >
Japan and Egypt.
Her contributions
president from
1892 until his elec
tion to the presi
dency last July.
Dr. Stone is a
young man , en
thusiastic in edu
cational work.
Although only 38
years old he has
won wide recognl-
Dr. Stone. tion by hls learn
ing and his progressiveness. He
was graduated from the Massa
chusetts Agricultural college and later
studied at Gottlngen , where he re
ceived a doctor's degree. From Bos
ton university he received the degree
of bachelor of science , an honor earned
by his reasearches in chemistry.
After completing his studies In Ger
many Dr. Stone was for a time con
nected with the chemical department
of the University of Tennessee : In
1889 he left the Tennessee university
to accept the chair of chemistry at
Purdue university.
Dr. Stone is a great favorite with
the students at the Indiana college and
the opening of the institution will
bring ihlm enthusiastic greetings from
the members of his old classes.
Hero of "Big "Riots.
Police Lieu-tenant Edward J. Steele
of Chicago , who died suddenly the
other morning , took a prominent part
in suppressing the Haymarket riot ,
his company being at the head of the
column that advanced to disperse the
anarchists. His clothing was riddled
with bullets and he Injured his wrist
in clubbing one of the rioters sense
less with his empty revolver. Lieu
tenant Steele was out for two days
to periodicals
Miss Grand-
were at first re- -
turned with unfailing regularity , but
she refused to be discouraged and
kept on sending manuscripts to the
publishers until they were compelled
to give her a hearing. "Ideala , " her
irst important work , was published
at her own cost , while "The Heavenly
Twins , " perhaps her most successful
effort , had to wait three years for a
publisher. Sarah Grand's position in
contemporary English literature has
been the subject for much controver
sy. She has many friends and many
enemies. Her real name is Mrs.
Chambers McFall. r
If
"Bryan's Home "Run Hit.
Back in the ' 80's when William J.
Bryan , the standard bearer of the De
mocracy , was a lawyer at Jacksonville.
III. , he was a base-
b a 11 esthusiast
and belonged to a
club there , the
baseball club of
Morgan county
bar. Recently
this fact was
brought to light
by the finding of
John W. Springer ,
one of the leading
citizens of Denver ,
of a faded photo
graph , showing Mr.
Bryan in the uni
form of a ball'
Bryan in Base BallPa ! > ; ersDeal - < ing
° f the matter Mr'
costume , 18S4. '
Springer savs ;
"The picture of Mr. Bryan was taken
ifter the club had
participated in a
rigorously contested game , one of § .
series of charity games played at
Jacksonville , in the summer of 1SS4.
Ihe day the picture was taken , Mr.
Springer recalls that the club of
ivhloh Bryan was pitcher and himself
: atcher had been victorious
over a
: eam made up of the best players
imong the town store clerks. He "also
ecalls that victory was pulled out of
iefeat in the ninth inning by Bryan's
lome run hit. "