Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-09-10
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER Y.-(Continued. }

CHAPTER V-(Continued.)
Papa, dear, you will not go into the
study tonight" observed Mabel, in a
coaxing tone, as Mr.. Merle looked at the
door. as though he intended to follow
Poppie's example; please come with US
into the drawing room, and I will make
you so comfortable"
Very WELL" was his good-humored an
swer. as he got up a little YEARLY from
his chair.
Alison waited a moment before she fol,
lowed them.
Are you not coming, too" she asked
as Roger threw himself down on an easy
chair.
Roger shook his head smilingly.
'Rudel has got to do his lessons. Mis-
sic never admits him into the drawing
room of an evening. She says it is not
the room for boys. I generally keep
Rudel company or go out and amuse my
self"
''But not tonight, dear" she returned
gently, and he got up at once.
Rudel looked up rather wistfully.
Il have almost a mind to come, too, "
he muttered, but as Roger said, hastily,
Better not Rue, we don't want any rows
tonight, Alison is tired" he remained.
Alison threw a critical glance around
the room as she entered it. No changes
had been effected since she had last en-
tered it.
Miss Leigh sat bolt upright by the big
round table, with her work-basket and a
pile Of the boys socks. Mr.. Merle had a
little table and a reading lamp to him
self, and Missile sat on a stool at his feet
with a novel on her lap. Alison guessed
at once that this was their ordinary po-
sition
"Oh, is that you, Roger? You don't
often honor us with your company Of an
evening" observed Missile, with a toss OF
her pretty head. This is a compliment
to you, Alison, l supposeY
we ought to put our books away to-
night" said Mr.. Merle, rousing himself
reluctantly, and making Alison feel as if
he were treating her like a visitor
Mabel, my dear, suppose you give us one
of yoIr little songs?'
No, indeed, papa" returned Alison,
eagerly, Il hope you will go on just the
same as though 1 were not here. OF
course | should like to hear Mabel sing,
Dul not IL IL QlSturDS you.
oh, | always sing to papa of an even
ing replied Missile, walking to the piano
with much dignity. Roger, think you
might offer to light those candles for me,
but you boys have no idea of waiting
upon ladies. You will find them dread
fully rough, Alison"
"On the contrary, I am rather fond of
waiting upon ladies'" was Rogers non
chalant answer, laying a peculiar stress
on the last word that brought an angry
flush to Missiles face. 81 always wait
on you, do | not Miss Leigh?"
Yes, indeed, Mr.. Roger, I always say
you are so kind and thoughtful"
Missile struck a chord sharply. eff you
will be good enough to leave off talking
l will commence my song" she said, cross
ly, and as Roger made a low bow and
retired she began the prelude of a Ger
man song.
Alison listened with much pleasure.
Among her other natural gifts, Missile
certainly possessed very good voice, and
1t had been evidently we'll trained. Her
notes were clear and sweet, and if she
could only have got rid of a certain eff
fectation in her style, Alison could have
AS it was, her admiration was so sin
cere that Missile began to thaw for the
first time. II suppose you sing?" she
said, a little bluntly.
''Not much. | certainly can not COM
pare my voice to yours" was the modest
reply, ''but l am fond of instrumental
music, and play good deal
Then you will be able to play my ac-
compartments, returned Mabel, bright
ening still more. "Will you take my
place. Alison? Papa will like to hear
you, | am sure"
Not tonight returned Alison. feeling
as though she were not capable of any
further effort. 81 am rather tired, and
if papa would excuse me 1 think l should
like to go to bed"
by all means, my love-" observed Mr..
Merle, looking up from his book. "Pus-
sic, dear, l hope everything is comfort
able for your sister. Never mind singing
to me tonight, if there is anything you
can do to help Alison"
Il will come with you and see," return
ed Missile, little ungraciously, and
though Alison would rather have dispens,
ed with her company, she thought it bet
ter policy to accept this faint offer of
help. On the landing Missile stopped, and
said, rather awkkardly, II hope you don't
mind about the change of rooms, Alison
but as you do not live at home, l thought
/ could please myself"
Il suppose | have come home to live
now" returned her sister, YEARLY; but
if you do not want to give it UP, Mabel
/ will try to be content with my present
one; l only want things to be comforta-
BILE. and to do my best for you ALL"
"Oh. as to that, we have got along
very WELL" returned Mabel, hastily; "you
need not put yourself out on our account
AS papa says, | am grown up now-near-
w seventeen-and able to take care of NV.
self and other people, too. l hope you
are not going in to see Poppie; l think il
is pity waking up the child, and she is
so excitable.
II shall not wake her. but I promised
to so and see her" returned Alison, with
gentle frmness, as she babe Missile good
night Missile need not have troubled her.
self about her little sisters wakefulness
Poppie was sitting bolt upright in the
darkness, waiting for Alison.
Now for good cuddle and a talk,
she said. stretching out her arms to Ali
son; you are a nice old thing to keeI
your promise" And as Alison sat down
on the little bed she forgot her WEAKNESS
as Poppie laid her warm cheek against
hers, and called her dear, nice Allie.
CHAPTER VI.
Alison was too tired to lie awake 6