LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2496, 6 April 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

“ THEIR SISTKR.” BY CARL BBICKETT. It was a distinctive title, most as mnch so as the “ Hope ” inscribed on the baptismal register. Every one admired magnificent Georgio and “ spiritnelle ” Violet; but no one would have thought of making a heroine of “their sister.” Looking at them now, curtained away from the cold in mamma’s boudoir, as they dress for Mrs Marohmont’s party, the reason will be plain. Oeorgie is a tall, queenly brunette, and looks more than regal to night in her Spanhh like costume of black lace, looped with scarlet verbenas. Violet, a blonde, is tall too, but exquisitely ethereal in her blue errpe and roses. Now my heroine (for despite o? every one, that is what “ their sister ” is to be) is not beautiful, certainly—this small, pale, browneyed girl; and she looks smaller than ever as she fits around her handsome sisters, fastening a flower here, looping a .fold there. Mis Marchmnnt’s party is to be the event of the season, but Hope had coaxed at the last moment to he allowed to stay at home. I ’Why, child,’ a'lked Mrs Dallas, ‘why do you not want to go ? You shouldn’t shun society so determinedly, my daughter, or you’ll be left an old maid on my hands,’ she concludes, laughingly. But Hope still persists, and mamma yields. As soon as the carriage with the partygoers whirls away to the festive scene, Hope rolls a couple of easy chairs before the grate fire in the sitting-room, ond seats herself in one with her filmy worsted work. She dees not stay alone long, for soon Dr. Dallas, tired and cold, and expecting to find an empty home, comes in. Hope has heneward, as she notice* how his face brightens, as ho comes within the glow of the cheery fire, and sees the easychair, and the dressing-gown end slippers warming just at hand, and be«t of al), the welomlng face of his little daughter. * So my pet didn’t go to night ?’ * No, papa; I thought yon looked tired today at dinner, and I didn’t want to leave you to stay all the evening alone.’ The old doctor patted, caressingly, the >oft cheek of his daughter, and was "soon deep In an article in “ Lancet,” whioh Hope had out ready for his perusal. Suddenly he looked up. 4 Hope, the expected Philip Sargeant I heard Georgie talking so enthusiastically abmt, hss arrived, and you will be surprised ii learn how I met him. He’s at the St. Clcufi, laid up with an ugly compound fracture.’

* Why, papa?’ ‘ Yes, ha arrived three days ago, and the second day had a fall cn the ice, I happened to bn passing at tho time ; but I have only just f ound out that he is tho gentleman Georgio talks so much about.’ If triers had been any faint regret in Hope’s mind for the brilliant party she had lost, it was all dispelled when she received her father’s good night kiis, and he laid his hand on her brown looks, and said—’A loving, self-sacrificing heart is a gift from God, little daughter.’

Philip Sargent was the brother in-law of one of Georgia's dearest friends, and Ella, from her Cali’ornia homo, was never tired of writ'ng enthusiastically about his many perfections to her dear Georgie. What young bride does not like to help others to that same blissful state, and so It was with Ella. She told of hia frank, generous nature ; of hia handsome, personal appearance ; and last, bat not least, of his great wealth; and, of course, Georgie was look iug forward with pleasure to meeting tho object of so muoh praise. The morning after the party Philip Sargent was fully discussed at the breakfast table. Mrs D*llas was of the opinion that the hospitality of their home should be offered to the young stranger as soon as he wao able to be moved.

*lt wou’d bo no more than polite, for he is our dear Ella’s brother-in-law,’ she said; and the doctor was glad to second his wife’s kind thought. In truth, it was not all kindness that promoted tho lady. She was *in the world, ’ and 1 of it, ’ and she had daughters who, though beautiful, woie out of their teens, and unmarried, and visions of the young man’s immense wealth flitted temptingly th'ough her mind as she glanced at her two lovely girls. When the invitation was given it was accepted gratefully. 4 To be sick is hard enough,’ Philip said ; ‘ but to be sick in an hotel, away from home, that is harder still, and 1 have hesr l so much of your family from my brother’s wife I do not feel at all like a stranger. Indeed, I will come. ’

So Philip Surgentwas soon installed in tho kind doctor’s home, and before long tho young stra-grr had fairly won all hearts by hie happy, frank, unsfficted ways. His own Impression* are best described by himself, so as he writes a month later to hia enquiring sister Ella, we will read—

* Dear Sinter, —So you are still anxious about my accident ? Set your mind at ease t am getting better as fast as a man oonchod in luxurious ease, and attended by minister log spirits, can. In other words, your good old doctor, in his hearty way, bundled mo off, bag and baggnge, to his own home, jnst a month ago. I agree with you In all you have told me. The doctor la the noblest, largest hearted specimen of the genus homo I have met sinoo I left California, and the girls—oven yonr description and the picture did not do jostles fo MlasGmrgle Such eyes —now full of fi'o, now melting with pathos—snob « queenly'fijgure—indeed, sister Ella, you did not' dilate half enough on her charms. Hiss Violet, too, she is beaotifnl; hat why did yon not. speak mere of their sister? Of little Hope, the spring around which all the household machinery works so harmoniously. Ah, Ella, where were your eyes ? You discoursed by tho page on Georgia's beauty, and I am afraid that you

will feel disappointed when I confess to you, my kind mentor, that one touch of those little, helpful hands, and one elanca from the intelligent brown eyes, thrill me more than all her sisters’ charms. Georgia is superb, Violet is farcioatiug, bat little Hope is th« one for companion, friend, and wife ; and if God wills, and she consents, sister Eila, I will look for your congratulations. | * Yon will hear from me again soon. Love to Ned. j ‘ Your affectionate brother, ‘ Philip,’ ft created a groat excitement when the millionaire, the gentlemanly invalid who had become such a favorite with all made bis Sentiments known. ■ To think,’ said Georg’e, rather ruefully coniempl-.ting the brilliant diamonds in their dainty case—Philips wadding gift to his promised wife—‘that little Hope, after al’, will he tho first bride in the family.’ i All society, too, lifted its hands in tarprise. ‘ i 4 To think that rot Georgia, with the tropical eyes, not Violet, with the goldenhuud tresses ; but ‘ their sister” should carry off the prize.’ i But “all society ” went to tho wedding—that fairy scene of light and flowers, of white-gloved ushers parting snowy ribbons f.-r tho billows of silk and the gleam of jewels to pass through. A true love match, even in these nineteenth century days, when each matches are rarer than they were In the good old times, when love was all and money least, vibrates a chord in the coldest heart, and every one said that tho bridegroom’s look of perfect content, and the loving, rapt ex pres ion in the -bride’s sweet face, were worth going a mile to see.