Max Seeley almost s.n.a.t.c.hed the old-fashioned little silver watch, from her hand and opened the case. An exclamation escaped him as he pointed to some scratches on the inner side. They looked like the initials M.A.S.
"Let me tell my story now," he said. "My name is Maxwell Seeley. My father died when I was seven years old, and my mother a year later. My little sister, Bertha, then three years old, and I were left quite alone and very poor. We had no relatives. I was adopted by a well-to-do old bachelor, who had known my father. My sister was taken to an orphan asylum in a city some distance away. I was very much attached to her and grieved bitterly over our parting. My adopted father was very kind to me and gave me a good education. I did not forget my sister, and as soon as I could I went to the asylum. I found that she had been taken away long before, and I could not even discover who had adopted her, for the original building, with all its records, had been destroyed by fire two years previous to my visit. I never could find any clue to her whereabouts, and long since gave up all hope of finding her. But I have found her at last. You are Bertha Seeley, my little sister!"
"Oh--can it be possible!"
"More than possible--it is certain. You are the image of my mother, as I remember her, and as an old daguerreotype I have pictures her. And this is her watch--see, I scratched my own initials on the case one day. There is no doubt in the world. Oh, Bertha, are you half as glad as I am?"
"Glad!"
Bertha"s eyes were shining like stars. She tried to smile, but burst into tears instead and her head went down on her brother"s shoulder.
By this time everybody in the room was staring at the extraordinary tableau, and Ernest, coming through the hall, gave a whistle of astonishment that brought the two in the corner back to a sense of their surroundings.
"I haven"t suddenly gone crazy, Ernest, old fellow," smiled Max.
"Ladies and gentlemen all, this little school-ma"am was introduced to you as Miss Price, but that was a mistake. Let me introduce her again as Miss Bertha Seeley, my long-lost and newly-found sister."
Well they had an amazing time then, of course. They laughed and questioned and explained until the dinner was in imminent danger of getting stone-cold on the dining-room table. Luckily, Alma and Frances remembered it just in the nick of time, and they all got out, somehow, and into their places. It was a splendid dinner, but I believe that Maxwell and Bertha Seeley didn"t know what they were eating, any more than if it had been sawdust. However, the rest of the guests made up for that, and did full justice to the girls" cookery.
In the afternoon they all went to church, and at least two hearts were truly and devoutly thankful that day.
When the dusk came, Ernest and Maxwell had to catch the last train for town, and the other guests went home, with the exception of Bertha, who was to stay all night. Just as soon as her resignation could be effected, she was to join her brother.
"Meanwhile, I"ll see about getting a house to put you in," said Max.
"No more boarding out for me, Ernest. You may consider me as a family man henceforth."
Frances and Alma talked it all over before they went to sleep that night.
"Just think," said Frances, "if we hadn"t asked her here today she might never have found her brother! It"s all Mother"s doing, bless her! Things do happen like a storybook sometimes, don"t they, Al? And didn"t I tell you they looked alike?"