Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-08-20

ters; that boys handwriting is a disgrace
to the family; it has put him out Of my
will forever; fancy ones nephew being
such sorry scribe"
"Rudel does write badly" returned Ali
son, with faint little smile. but l like
his letters better than Missiles; there is
one from Miss Leigh. too do you admire
her handwriting. Aunt Dig"
No; it is too thin and angular" re-
turned Miss Darlington, severely; If
wants freedom and breadth: it reminds
me too much of Miss Leigh herself"
Il do not think we are any of US very
fond of her." interrupted Alison. Il know
she fdgets father dreadfully, and Roger,
too, though he is 50 good to her"
Roger is good to everyone but him
self" responded Miss Darlington but
even he, with all his good nature, has
owned to me that Miss Leigh has very
trying manner. You see. Alison, fussy
people make poor companions. Miss
Leigh has never leisure for anything but
her own worries she is too overweighted
for cheerful conversation; if she could
forget Poppie's misdemeanors, and Mis-
sizes pertness, and Rudeis roughneSs,
and the servants failures for about half
an hour at time, l could quite fancy
Miss Leigh a pleasing companion; but
now let me hear her letter.
at is dreadfully long" sighed Alison,
as she reluctantly obeyed. 1t was evil
dent that she wished Miss Darlington to
read the letters for herself but Aunt
Diana held different opinion.
MY dear Alison" it began. 81 am
afraid that my weekly account will be
little more cheering than the last; in
deed, l am arriving slowly at the con-
viction that, unless some change be made
in the household arrangements, l shall
be compelled, however reluctantly, to re-
sign my post"
"Humph. that looks bad" from Miss
Darlington.
Il have done all l can in representing
to your father the mischief that must
result from his injudicious treatment Of
Mabel she is becoming so thoroughly
spoiled, so entirely her own mistress, that
! no amount of reasoning has any effect
upon her. | do not wish to lay any IN
due stress on her behavior to myself
but her trea tment of Mr.. Roger, and the
bad example that she sets to Poppie. not
to mention the constant pickering that is
always going on beween her and Rudel,
are quite destroying the harmony of the
household. You may ina CINE my dear
Alison, how trying all this is to a person
of my sensitive temperament.
81 always said it was a black day for
us when Miss Darlington took you away
from The Holms. With all due Difference
TO your aunt's benevolence and good feel
ings. | can not help thinking that a
daughters place is with her widowed
father. OF course, you will talk the
matter over with your aunt, and perhaps
you may be able to assist me to some so
luton of our difficulties
PATIENCE LEIGH"
patience has changed to impatience, -
muttered Miss Darlington, grimIy. Sen
sitive people never own to being out OF
temper, but | should have said myself
that there was a spice of ill-temper in
| that letter. Poor Miss Leigh is decided
| ly ruffled."
"She never could manage Missile; al.
ways knew that" returned Alison, sor-
rowfully.
And how old is Mabel, or Missile, as
| you call her?'
Sixteen last birthday, Aunt Diana -
"Humph there is not more trouble
some age"
Aunt Di, | have something very seri-
| Gus to say These letters came two or
| three days ago, and l have been thinking
about them ever since. | do believe Miss
Leigh is right in what she says, and that
l am Sinking my duty"
"Since when?' a little dryly
| "Since l got quite we'll and strong and
| happy, about a year ago." returned Ali
son, answering most literally. 81 ought
! to have gone back then, and not have
stopped on here quietly, taking the good
of everything, and enjoying myself just
as though l had no duties, and no place
in life. 1t is all my fault if Missile is
getting the upper hand, and making ev-
cry one uncomfortable. l ought to go
home to father and Roger"
There was no immediate answer to
! this, but in another moment Miss Car
rington had walked to her slowly. and
then standing beside her, her hand strok-
! ed the girls hair with mute caressing
gesture. 10 not CRY ABOUT IL, Allie,
she said presently; but her own voice
was not quite so clear as usual. "It is
| not a thing to be decided in hurry; we
must look at it all around; impulse is
never sure guide. No one is quite their
| own mistress, even at eighteen, and |
am afraid you will have to ask my leave,
unless you prefer running away"
oh will you let me go, Aunt Dip
with a sudden start of JOY, as though the
| knots that her conscience had tied were
suddenly cut through in most unexpect-
| ed way.
MY dear, if it be right l will help you
| to CO." was the expressive but somewhat
curt answer to this; but as she spoke
Miss Carrington's hands pressed the girls
head a little heavily.
Now" she continued. with visible
| effort, 1--WE must put all these trouble.
some things away for the present; there
is the dressing bell, and we have only
time to get ready for dinner, and you
know it is our evening at Fernleigh, and
we shall have to be cheerful for Mr.
| Moores sake"
CHAPTER II.
An hour and half later Miss Caring
ILL., ,r,i-1