Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-09-03
CHAPTER Y.

tive III us eUecJS, ana Wnen Alison mad
freshened her tired face with cold water,
and brushed her disheveled locks, and
exchanged her travelling dress for a light,
cool-looking. zephyr cloth costume, she
felt less reluctance to present herself TO
the critical eyes of her father and Mabel.
May l come in?" questioned a voice
that she knew at once was Rogers. and
in moment she had sprung joyfully to
the door.
''Oh, Roger, you dear old fellow, I am
so glad to see you again ~ she e1claim-
ed, forgetting all her troubles in the sight
of his familiar face. Evidently her pleas
ure was reciprocated; a pair of strong
arms almost lifted her off her feet, and
bore her across the room toward the win
dow, and, after a hasty kiss or two, Rog-
er put his hand under her chin and grave
ly inspected her.
Il suppose you are glad to see me- he
observed at length, "as you have been
crying evidently at the pleasurable anti
cipation. SO you are sorry to come home,
Alison, Ell? and yet"-rather reproach-
fully-"you are wanted very badly here"
Alison's only answer was to lay her
face down on his arm; this was a little
too much for her jaded spirits, a few
more tears would come. Roger had found
her out, as she knew he would.
Come now, this won't do, Allie" he
said, with a sort Of soothing roughness
I'VE shall pack you back again TO Aunt
Diana, if you are going to fret. / looked
for rather a different greeting after two
years absence"
Il can't help H." she sale, trying to
dismiss her tears; II am tired, and ev-
erything seems strange tonight, and
do miss Aunt Diana"
Yes, she has spoiled you for us; you
have grown a dainty little lady, Allie"
ooh, no; l am not spoiled in that
way" she interrupted him breathlessly.
You can not quite understand, Roger !;
but there is such a mixed feeling.
have wanted you all these two years you
have never been out of my mind a single
day"
well, am glad 70 have you back to
scold you properly. What color are your
eyes generally, Alison? They are as
pink as an Albino's tonight
1T is my turn to look at you," she
returned, trying to pluck up a little
spirit. ''Why, you have grown a mus
tache, Roger. How we'll it suits you -
but Roger only broke into merry laugh
did you ever see such a handsome
fellow? Really, Rudel and l are marvel
Gus specimens of manly beauty. He beats
me in freckles, though, ha, ha !" And
Roger quite rocked himself in merriment
Il like the. look of you very much"
returned Alison. Your hair is little
rough-and, oh! your boots are muddy
You have wanted me to keep you in
order
Il don't seem to match you, somehow"
he observed. do you always look as
though you were just turned out of a
bandbox? I wish you would take Missile
and Poppie in hand they drive Miss
Leigh crazy with their untidiness Oh
we are a happy family, Allie-nothing
but billing and cooling, and that sort of
thing going on from morning to night
You might take Rudel and Missile for a
couple of love birds, the sweet young
creatures are so fond of each other, and
as for Poppie and AIisse-look, there is
a specimen of the home music dulcet
strains floating up the staircase There
goes Missile"
Alison's brow knitted with some per-
plexity as she listened. Flora, will you
go into your own room? | insist on it
you are not fit to be seen in that torn
frock," in a sharp, girlish voice.
What does it matter? She won't
mind" in a shrill, childish TREBLE you
are so cross, Mabel. Do let me come in
with you and see Alison"
mo, no. do as | tell you; you shall
-, ba
pied on my dress and torn some of the
trimming, you horrid little thing! l will
tell papa if 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. A
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 somewhat plain
little girl between eight and nine years of
age, rather small in stature, and with a
droll freckled face like Rudel'S, only it
was just now puckered up with crying
red, infiamed 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 somewhat cold salute of Missiles
cheek please do not prevent Poppie
coming to me- I could not help hearing.
you spoke so loud, and do not mind one
bit how she looks. Come here, Poppie,
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. ''Why don't you go
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 l
will show you the pretty new game |
have brought for YOU
The childs 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 l 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 vexed," pursuing up
her lips with a virtuous expression.
Alison controlled 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
| was worse than she anticipated. -sts
| Never mind" she said, calmly; 1--WE
must not vex papa, must we, Poppie?
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 Poppis
cheerfully lead the way, as she did moi
know her room.
As Alison, after dressing Poppie, cam,
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