Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-03

/ ing the expression Of proud happiness on
he young mans face. y look passed be-
tween him and Miss Darlington. and then
she held out her hand
Well Grevillc. have you come to be
scolded?" she asked. playfully.
yes, but you would not have the heart
to do it, was his reply. Cara" with
pause on the old name, how could l help
it," And his glance was sufficiently elo-
quent
We'll. Greville. think you are wor-
Thy even of her" And now something
like the glimmer Of unshed tears softened
the keen gray eyes God bless you. my
boy you have fulfilled the great wish of
my heart"
There was a little more talk after this,
and then GreviIle said, allison, l think
we ought to go to my grandfather; this
will make his very happy" And then
Alison obediently rose.
There was a touching scene with the
old man. when the messenger comes,
my boy will not be left desolate, he will
have Sunny to comfort him." he said.
And again his hands were placed on her
bright hair to invoke a blessing.
lOgtT y tlIIl CdlIS utAI LIZ Aclu Occb
out all day on a fishing excursion. and
on mis- return Greville mad waylaid him.
and told him the news. Alison. who was
sitting at her window. trying to compose
her 1uttered spirits, saw them coming up
the garden walk together, and a few
minutes afterward there was a hasty step
at her door, and Roger burst into her
room.
She knew how glad he was by the way
he took her in his arms and kissed her,
even before he had uttered a word.
But it came at last.
Allie | never was so pleased in my
life OF course l knew it was coming.
He is a fine fellow you are giving me
just the sort of brother l wanted. and
l am greatly obliged to YOU
HE told you then?" little bashfully.
YES he had been waiting ever so long
by the river bank 1t is my belief that,
like King Midas. he had been whispering
his secret to the rushes. I wish you
could have heard what he said about you.
He has thoroughly convinced me that he
| fully appreciates you"
Il am so glad you will be friends"
returned Alison, simply, quite ignoring
! the latter part of Rogers speech: in her
modest opinion of herself, she never ceas-
| ed wondering at Greville's lover-like
! speeches it was dear and kind of him to
say such things. she thought, but she did
not deserve them.
She said as much to him one day. when
| their enga cement was but a week old, but
he turned decidedly willful.
Il shall think of you just as I like"
he said. quietly, land l know l shall
never alter my opinions. | don't care
what your faults are you are perfect in
my eyes, just because you are Alison"
| And after this she gave up the point.
But on the evening before she left
| MosS-side she and Aunt Diana had one
of their long talks. Grevile had just
| left them grumbling. in spite of an in
vitation TO breakfast the next morning
and though he knew that he was expected
| at The Homs in six weeks time, to make
acquaintance with Alison's home. and to
! introduce himself to Mr.. Merle. But
| Miss Darlington paid no attention to his
| boyish discomfort: this hour belonged to
her. she said, in a decided manner Gre
Vile might talk to Roger, but she wanted
| Allie to herself.
SO while the two young men paced up
and down by the river, Alison and Miss
Darlington sat in the dim studio, looking
| out into the moonlight There was so
much that they had to say to each other
on this last night.
You do not think me too hard hearted
to insist on a two years engagement,
Allie?" Miss Darlington said presently.
"Mr. Moore has begged me over and over
again to reconsider my decision, but, in
deed, | think Greville is too young for
such a responsibility. In two years he
will be five-and-twenty."
| Il would not have it otherwise. Aunt
Di," returned Alison, quietly. in two
years time papa will be we'll and strong
at least, DR.. Greenwood tells us so
and Missile will be older; | can be spared
then. and can leave home far more hap
PLY"
rs Greviile content with thiS?"
Il have talked to him, and made him
see that we are both right. OF course
we shall both feel the separation a little
| hard but now l have promised to spend
at least two months next summer at Moss
side, and he is to pay flying visits to The
| Hollis, L Iulllh we OuSul " Ue COuleuI,
and then there are the letterS-etters are
such pleasure"
And in two years Alison Merle is to
be Alison Moore"
Il hope so, Aunt Di."
Darling that day will be a happy one
for me. l love you both so much, and
then | shall have you near me. Think
of Fernleigh being your home"
"A beautiful home" she returned
Roger will miss you the most, dear"
Il hope not by that time, Aunt Di
Perhaps | ought not to speak of it he
has never given me the right to do so, but
| think hope-Anna-ma be able to
comfort him for my absence"
What makes you think so, dear?" she
asked, very quietly; and yet the same
| thought had occurred to her.
1T is Rogers manner: it has changed
so much of late. Once he used to be as
! friendly with Anna, but now he never
mentions her name if he can help it. but
when any one talks of her l can see the
way he listens, and the look that comes
into his eyes; he is always so pleased
when l tell him she is coming TO The
Holms. and he is so nice with her, speak
ing so gently TO her, and anticipating all
her wishes; you could not doubt what
it meant if you saw them together. And
she is just as sweet to him as one could
wish-very shy, but so simple and child
like"
"She is a dear little thing, and l dare
say she has improved"
Yes, indeed, even Missie owns she is
almost pretty sometimes; not that that
matters, when she always looks so sweet
and good Oh. Aunt Di, have grown to
love her So
Roger is wise man." observed Miss
Darlington, thoughtfully; IF he chooses
Anna for his wife he will find her GER
tainly above rubies. There is the law
of kindness in her lips; l never knew
any one so perfectly gentle"