Читать книгу From the Land of the Snow-Pearls: Tales from Puget Sound онлайн

16 страница из 57

After a while she drew away slowly and looked at him earnestly in the faint light.

“If I thought you wouldn’t change,” she faltered. “I know you mean it now, but oh—”

“Sister,” called a thin, troubled voice from the hall; “can’t you come here just a minute?”

Demaris went at once, closing the door behind her.

The child threw her slim arms around her sister’s waist, sobbing.

“Oh, sister, I forgot to get the kindlin’ wood, an’ now it’s so dark down cellar. I’m afraid. Can’t you come with me?”

“Wait a few minutes, dear, an’ I will. Frank won’t stay long to-night.”

“Oh, won’t he? I’m so glad.” Her voice sunk to a whisper. “I hate to have him here, sister. He takes you away from us so much, an’ ev’rything goes wrong when you ain’t here. Ma’s offul bad to-night, an’ pa looks so tired! Don’t let him stay long, sister. He don’t need you as bad ’s we do.”

She tiptoed into the kitchen. Demaris stood still in the hall. The moon was coming, large and silver, over the hill. Its soft light brought her slender figure out of the dark, and set a halo above her head bending on its fair neck, like a flower on its stem. Her lips moved, but the prayer remained voiceless in her heart.