The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-12-05

mo, no; do a. l tell you -.
come in presently. There Won hs ~. ~
pied on my dress and torn so, oaA
trimming, you horrid little thine u ~
tell papa If you are SO nansh.- VIII
then he will not let you come a. md
tea" Here an expressive roar os"n 70
pies part interrupted the discu..;au rop
son, who could bear no NOR All
quickly to the door and openod -, m0'ed
pretty looking, fair4haired girl a..
somewhat untidily and in bad stv,o a'e'sed
rather vixenish expression on ha. ' a Wlta
ed face, was standing just OUTSIDE Az aust
room, and behind her a somewbo. A'oai
little girl between eight and nine r.. pam
age, rather small in stature. and lars s'.Is
droll, freckled face like Ruders o "ita
was just now puckered up with crr; ,s It
a red, inaamed spot on one cbsos
evidently the result of smart Ill.,. way
her sisters part in payment for tho :. %
trimming. ' 'o'n
''How do you do, Mabel?" sbe 49,,
with somewhat cold salute of Mis ss.a'
cheek. please do not prevent pss.
coming to me. I could not helm bao upps
you spoke SO loud, and 1 do not mind
bit how she looks. Come here po.v Oas
DEAR" but the child, evidently civ 0ppe,
upset by the late fracas, held back in A -
embarrassed. manner, until Missia GO. ~
her rough push. 'sWhy don't Won eA''
to Alison, you stupid little thing" :, ~
said GROSSLY, for she was put out AZ NV
sisters sudden appearance on the scono
please do not force her to com0
me; we shall be very good friends dra..
ly," returned Alison, sorry for the n.y..
child's awkwardness. "Come with W.
Poppie dear; Roger is in my room and
will show you the pretty new eams
have brought for you"
The child's face frightened in
ment, and she moved instantly to take Az
sons hand; again Missile interposed
"She must change her frock, Alison.
tea is just ready, and hear IA mas Sta,
in the garden. He will be very anprv !,
Poppie looks rough or untidy; and | can
not allow him to be vexed," pursuing m
her lips with virtuous expression.
Alison controlled quick retort with
some difficulty. She had fully expected
to find Missile a most aggravating littlo
person, or why should Miss Leigh com.
plain of her so bitterly? But the reality
was worse than she anticipated.
Never mind" she said, calmly: I'VE
must not vex papa, must we, Poppie?
will help you change your frock, and Der.
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 womal
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 simper-
ing laugh as Alison entered with her faith
er. Il suppose this will be your place
Tomorrow" she said, for, as Alison re-
piled simply, II suppose so, but l need
not disturb you tonight" 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, MISSES
first words were peremptory order for
Poppie to put away her toys and 60 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.
1 think she might wait little longer"
II am not going; there now!" observed
the child, de6antly, quite oblivious Of her
fathers presence.
10 IL, IOpS. II DdCh you, "np
Rudel, rubbing his hands; she shans
touch you as long as 1 am here"
Mabel's eyes flashed. "You horrid' ruo'
boy. Papa" But here Alison gently
interfered.
you will go to bed now, dear, will you
not" she whispered in the chllds ear,
land I will come and tuck you up anu
wish you goodnight" And thus propr
tiated, Poppie's sullenness vanished an'
she trotted on at once.
Ito be continued.)