CHAPTER IV.

THE BROTHER AND SISTER.

THE hour was sunset, but the high brick walls prevented the two persons seated in a bay-window on one of the main streets of a large city, from enjoying more than a few tints of the gorgeously painted clouds.

Helen Josephine and her brother, reunited after a separation of three months, thought but little of this deprivation at the time. The young girl sat on a divan placed within the window, her head resting on her brother's shoulder, her hand closely clasped in his. He had, at her request, been telling her of his studies, the classmates who particularly interested him, the words of kindness and encouragement he had received from his professors, and then they sat silent, communing with their own hearts.

At length, with a profound sigh, Helen exclaimed:

"Oh, Frank! I find it so hard to keep the resolutions I made by dear papa's couch. My heart is full of hard thoughts. I'm afraid I never can be happy here. Oh, why did God take papa away? I wish, oh, I wish, I had never left Woodbine Cottage, my sweet, 'sweet,' home!"

Frank was startled by the depth of feeling displayed in his sister's tone, even more than by the words. Tenderly embracing her, he said soothingly:

"You shall tell me all about it, pet. Come, open your heart, and confess all the naughty thoughts you have had."

She shuddered, which caused him to add:

"Can't you imagine for the time that I am papa, and confess, as you used to, for the sake of a good-night kiss."

"Not here! Oh, not here! Take me to Maytown, and let us pass one week near our dear, lost home. Why didn't I realize then what a paradise it was?"

"That's a good suggestion," remarked Frank. "We can board with our old nurse, and wander around among the familiar haunts as much as we please, for there are no young people on the place to disturb us. If it is pleasant, we will start to-morrow."

Mr. Tracy at this moment entered the room with the proof of a column in the newspaper in his hand.

"So you are sentimentalizing in the twilight," he exclaimed, laughing aloud. "I was going to ask the favor from you, Mr. Edmond, of a glance over this proof. It is my speech before the legislature. You have probably seen some notice of it. The press have been very flattering in their reports, and I have at length been prevailed upon to give it to the public."

"On what occasion was the speech?"

"I am astonished you have not heard of it. Our legislature were petitioned for a railroad grant; and I was requested to lay some facts before them, which had come under my notice. I did so, and my statements were favorably received, exceedingly so; indeed I may say I was congratulated upon the fairness of my arguments as well as the incontrovertible nature of my figures."

During this speech, Frank caught a glimpse of his sister and was so astonished by her manner, that he found it difficult to comprehend all his guardian was saying. A comprehensive:

"Certainly, sir," put him all right with the gentleman, who, after ordering a servant to light the gas, and placing the precious sheet in the hands of the young collegian for review, left the room.

"Now, Sis," ejaculated her brother playfully, "you must explain what you mean by freezing up in that style. I never saw such a change come over any person's countenance as did over yours on Mr. Tracy's entrance. I had no idea you could be so dignified. Ah, I'm afraid you have been naughtier than I thought!"

"I have been taking lessons in deportment," she answered without relaxing from her gravity. Then, with a sudden burst of feeling she exclaimed:

"It seems years, instead of months, since I lived at home, and ran wild around our shady walks. Oh, Frank, promise me one thing! Say you will never be married, and that as soon as you graduate, you will take me back to Woodbine Cottage. Promise that, and I'll try to be content."

A footfall sounded on the walk before the house, then came quickly up the steps.

Springing from her seat with a bound, Helen seized her brother's head in her arms, pressing her lips excitedly to his forehead.

"Good-night," she whispered. "Tell Mr. Tracy our plan for to-morrow. I must send word to my teachers of my wish to be absent." Then before he could reply she had glided from the parlor.

The young man stood a moment gazing after her retreating form, wondering at her impulsive manner, then drew a chair near the table, and sat down to the examination of the proof-sheet.

He had only advanced to the fifth line, however, before the door opened, and a young man entered.

"Mr. Edmond, I suppose," he said, advancing cordially with hand outstretched. "I am happy to see you under my father's roof. But where is your sister?"

"She has just left me. I suppose you are Roswell Edmond Tracy, my father's namesake."

"Yes, and when did you arrive? Oh, I see you are reading that speech of father's, quite a crack thing, the papers say. Father enjoys that sort of work amazingly. But I never could endure it. I'm constituted differently, you know."

"I don't think that I quite understand you."

Roswell laughed, and looked wise. "Speechifying I mean. But you need not trouble yourself to correct that proof," as he saw the young collegian make a mark on the margin with his pencil. "Ha! Ha! Ha! That was printed and distributed two days ago. That's an old ruse of father's to get your opinion of his speech."

The stranger, not relishing this style of conversation, remained silent.

"I'm sorry your sister retired before I came home," Roswell went on. "Perhaps she was offended because I was so late. But indeed I could not help it. I've taken a mighty fancy to your sister and tell her all my tricks with the governor," nodding toward the proof-sheet. "Why it's just the easiest thing in the world to wheedle him out of money. Just flatter him up about his speeches; tell him what so and so said of them, all shoddy, you know, of my manufacture, and out comes an X before he is aware."

"I earnestly hope that my sister does not practise such deception," seriously remarked Mr. Edmond.

Mrs. Tracy's entrance, followed by her husband, prevented a reply to this observation.

The guest took this opportunity to impart the information that he was going to visit Maytown for a few days and wished to take his sister with him. Then, as no objection was made on the part of the guardian, he pleaded fatigue after his journey, and retired to his chamber, carrying the proof-sheet with him.

His room adjoined his sister's, though there was no connection between them. Presently he heard a low tap at his chamber door.

"Is it all settled?" she inquired eagerly. "Are we really going?"

"Yes really, by the first train to-morrow morning."

She clasped her hands joyfully, her whole face sparkling with animation; but she did not speak.

"What kind of a youth is Mr. Tracy's son?" demanded the brother. "He tells me strange things of you."

"Of me? Hush! I cannot breathe in the house with him. There, kiss me good-night again. I must go. To-morrow I'll tell you everything."

[Illustration]