Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-09-25

CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)

~ as though he intended to follow
nSnI5es example; "please come with US
iVpN the drawing room, and 1 will make
von so comfortable"
'' @vprv WELL" was his good-humored an
or as he got up a little YEARLY from
his chair.
lowed them
Are you not coming, too?' she asked,
- ROGER threw himself down on an easy
chair. =.
Roger shook his head smilingly.
0RndeI has got to do his lessons. Mis-
=, never admits him into the drawing
,oon Of an evening. She says it is not
+ba room for boys. / generally keep
Pudel 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.
~ have almost a mind to come, too"
bs muttered, but as Roger said, hastily,
nRatter not. Rue we don't want any rows
tonight, Alison is tired" he remained.
Miss Leigh sat bolt upright by the big
round table, with her work basket and a
nile Of the boys socks. Mr.. Merle had a
little table and 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.
ooh, 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, I suppose|
we ought to put our books away to-
night" said Mr. Merle, rousing himself
reluctantly, and making Alison feel as If
he we're treating her like a visitor.
Mabel my DEAR suppose you give US one
Of your little songs?"
mo, indeed, papa" returned Alison,
eagerly, II hope you will go on just the
same as though l were not here. Of
course | should like to hear Mabel sing,
but not if it disturbs you"
"Oh, I always sing to papa of an even
ing" replied Missile, walking to the piano
with much dignity. Roger, I 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, am rather fond of
waiting upon ladies'" was Rogers non
chaIant answer, laying a peculiar stress
on the last word that brought an angry
flush to Missiles face. Il always wait
on you, do I not, Miss Leigh"
Yes, indeed. Mr.. Roger, always say
you are 50 kind and thoughtful"
Missile struck a chord sharply. "If you
will be good enough to leave off talking
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 a very good voice, and
It had been evidently we'll trained. Her
notes were clear and sweet, and if she
could only have got rid of certain af-
fectati0n in her style, Alison could have
praised her still more warmly.
As it was, her admiration was so sin
cere that Missile began to thaw for the
first time. Il suppose you sing?" she
said. 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 l am sure"
Not tonight returned Alison, feeling
as though she were not capable of any
further effort II am rather tired. and
If papa would excuse me think I should
like to go to bed"
BY all means, my love-" observed Mr..
Merle, looking up from his book. "Pus-
sic, dear, I hope everything is comfort
able for your sister, Never mind singing
to me tonight, if there is anything you
can do to help Alison"
l 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
hep. On the landing Missile stopped, and
sad, rather awkkardly, II hope you don't
mind about the change of rooms, Alison,
but as you do not live at home, 1 thought
could please myself"
l suppose l have come home to live
now, returned her sister, YEARLY; ''but
II you do not want to give it up, Mabel,
Will try to be content with my present
one; only want things to be comforta-
Ole and TO do my best for you all"
Oh, as to that, we have got along
very WE'LL returned Mabel, hastily you
need not put yourself out on our account.
As papa says, am grown up now-near-
" seventeen-and able to take care of my
self and other people, too. l hope you
NE not going in to see Poppie; l think it
IS pity waking up the child, and she is
50 excitable."
shall not wake her, but l promised
90 go and see her." returned Alison, with
sentIe hrmness, as she babe Missile good
"'sn'. Missile need not have troubled her
TS1 about her little sisters wakefulness.
soppie was sitting bolt upright in the
N9rSnesS, waiting for Alison.
Now for a good cuddle and talk, y
sue said, stretching out her arms to Ali
sun you are nice old thing to keep
your promise" And as Alison sat down
VI The little he'd she FORGOT her waarineSs