Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-09-18

mo, no; do as I tell you: you shall
come in presently. There you have tram
pied on my dress and torn some of the
trimming, you horrid little thing | will
tell papa IL you are SO naughty, and
then he will not let you come down to
tea" Here an expressive roar on Pop
pies part interrupted the discussion. Ali
son, who could bear no more, moved
quickly to the door and opened it.
pretty looking, fair-haired girl, dressed
somewhat untidily and in bad style, with
rather a vixenish expression on her flush
ed face, was standing just outside Alison's
room, and behind her a somewhat plain
little girl between eight and nine years of
age, rather small in stature, and with
droll, freckled face like Rudel's, only it
was just now puckered up with crying
a red, infamed spot on one cheek was
evidently the result Of smart blow on
her sisters part in payment for the torn
trimming.
''How do you do, Mabel?" she said,
with a somewhat cold salute of Missiles
cheek. please do not prevent Poppie
coming to me. could not help hearing,
you spoke so loud, and 1 do not mind one
pAL AO" Suc SOHc ACACy 4 SPpAC1
dear" but the child, evidently shy and
upset by the late fracas, held back in an
embarrassed manner, until Missile gave
her a rough push. 'SWhy don't you 60
to Alison, you stupid little thing?" she
said GROSSLY, for she was put out at her
sisters sudden appearance on the scene.
please do not force her to come to
me- we shall be very good friends direct
ly," returned Alison, sorry for the poor
child's awkwardness. Come with me,
| Poppie dear; Roger is in my room, and 1
will show you the pretty new game l
have brought for you
The child's face frightened in a mo-
| ment, and she moved instantly to take Ali
sons hand again Missile interposed.
':She must change her frock, Alison
| tea is just ready, and I hear papa's step
| in the garden He will be very angry if
Poppie looks rough or untidy; and l can
| not allow him to be ve1ed," pursuing up
| her lips with virtuous expression.
Alison controlled a quick retort with
some difficulty. She had fully expected
| to find Missile a most aggravating little
person, or why should Miss Leigh COM
plain of her so bitterly? But the reality
Never mind she said, calmly 1--WE
must not vex papa, must we, Poppie? I
will help you change your frock, and per-
haps after all we may have time to look
at the fish ponds" And without another
glance at Missile, Alison made Poppie
cheerfully lead the way, as she did not
| know her room.
AS Alison, after dressing Poppie, came
down the staircase with the child still
clinging to her, Mr.. Merle suddenly made
| his appearance from the study. He al
| most started at the sight Of his daughter,
and an expression of pain crossed his
handsome careworn face. In the dim
| light Alison recalled her mother too plain
ly to his eyes.
! "Oh, papa" she said, hurrying to him.
and putting up her fair young face to
his He kissed her kindly, patted it, told
| her that she had grown into woman
since he had seen her, and questioned her
with some interest about her journey.
The dining room, large handsomely
| furnished room, looked sufficiently coy
| as they entered it. Missile was in the
seat Of honor; she gave a little shipper
| ing laugh as Alison entered with her faith
err. Il suppose this will be your place
tomorrow" she said, for, as Alison re-
| piled simply, Il suppose SO, but | need
not disturb you tonight" a vexed look
crossed Missiles face, but as Rudel was
already grinning in hopes of row she
prudently disappointed him.
When they rose from the table, Missiles
first words were a peremptory order for
Poppie to put away her toys and go to
bed. This led to feeble protest on Miss
Leigh's part.
''It is not so very late, Mabel, and Pop
pie has not seen her sister for two years.
I think she might wait little longer"
II am not going; there now!" observed
the child, defantly, quite oblivious of her
fathers presence.
go it, Pops. I'll back you," whispered
Rudel, rubbing his hands; "she sha'n't
touch you as long as I am here"
Mabers eyes flashed. "You horrid, rude
| bow. Papa--'' But here Alison gently
interfered.
"You will go to bed now, dear, will you
not 2" she whispered in the child's ear,
land 1 will come and tuck you up, and
wish you goodnight" And thus propi-
tiated, Poppie's sulenness vanished, and
she trotted on at once.
Ito be continued.)
!