Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-10-16
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER XI.

.oronca at the fete on Thursday after
~, The lawn was covered by gayly
leased people; tennis had not yet begun,
t,,+ the band was playing. AS soon as
Alison had greeted her hostess she looked
.o,nd anxiously for Anna. She had no
sosira to linger beside Mrs. Hardwick
Tho handsome, laxative widow had al
.,odv excited her aversion. AS she turned
.,ror in search of her friend, Miss Hard
u,icy came up to them in company with
q tall, dark man.
..uobp1 dear" she said, almost ignor-
ina Alison. Il must introduce Tony to
von-rnv cousin Captain Harper. Tony,
this Is nv especial friend, and [ shall ex-
rpc+ YOU to pay her a great deal of at
tpn+ion. on peril of my displeasure."
II am too happy to perform such a
nioasing duty, I am sure" lisped An
tbonv. but his bold black eyes passed over
Missiles simpering pretty little. face to
AIisoD's
rs this another special friend OF yours,
Era% he observed, twisting his mus
+achp and looking full at her as he spoke.
Miss Hardwick made the introduction
somewhat reluctantly; Alison bowed lit
tie haughtily; she was not prepossessed
with Captain Harper's appearance, and
she determined to have as little as posi-
HE To do with him; he seemed about to
aneak to her, but she turned suddenly to
Miss Hardwick.
81 do not see your sister," she said, in
low voice.
"Oh, | daresay not" she answered,
eorelessly. Il never knew Anna ever
ready for anything; she is not half dress
ed I suppose Now, Tony, you must
take Mabel for your partner in the first
set and Edgar Dawson and Miss Free
land will play against you"
I'VE had better take our places them"
drswled Captain Harper and, left to her
self, Alison turned to Roger and asked
him to walk with her to the house.
Il am going in search of Anna" she
said as she left him, and she asked one
Of the servants who was just entering the
tea room to take her to Annals bedroom.
The maid looked surprised, but she put
down her tray at once and preceded Ali
Bon upstairs.
That is Miss Annals ROOM" she said,
pointing to the door; ''she is dressing, [
believe A hamper of flowers came, and
she has only just finished arranging
them"
Il dare say l shall be abs TO help her."
returned Alison, knocking at the door.
MY dear child" exclaimed Alison, in a
surprised voice, as she entered, "why, you
have not begun to Dress" for Anna was
standing at the window in her gray linen
gown, evidently watching the gay scene,
but the tears were rolling down her
cheeks.
On, l can not dress now" she sobbed
as Alison kissed her, "it is so la:e, and
am SO tired; Eva said the flowers must
be done, and I have only just finished
them. | saw Mr.. Roger and you and
Mabel come in, and I did so long to come
out, but now l am just tired out, and 1
can't stop crying"
"Oh, you will cheer up directly. and
l am going to stop and help you," re-
turned Alison, brightly. 'Bathe your
eyes with some eau-decologne and water !;
| will be back in a moment" And run
ming downstairs Alison mads her way into
the tea loom, and after few words with
the good-natured maid she had already
accoSted, she was soon provided with a
cup of coffee and some delicious looking
cake
Now you ara to leave off crying and
take these sood things l have brought
YOU coaxed Alison, land then will help
you to dress. You are tired and wor-
riod, but the coffee will refresh you
But Annals answer was a fresh burst of
tears, as she threw her arms round her
neck
oh, AaT kind you are to me. 1 do love
You so ; no one ever took such trouble for
me before"
Then YOU rust tbank me by enjoying
the coffee" laughed Alison, but a SYM
pathIzing drop huns on her own lashes.
Nevertheless, she talked on cheerfully I'M
I'll Anna had dried her eyes and drunk
her coffee, and then she coaxed her to
let her brush her hair and arrange it..
Anna sat quite patient and docile under
AIlson's hands she did not even look at
herself till the pretty cream colored dress
was fastened, and the flowers arranged,
and then Alison led her to the glass.
Why, | look quite different; what
navy y Ou uOnS 10 me ! observed AHA, III
q bewildered tone. Il am not like my
self at ALL"
You have naver taken enough pains
with your appearance" she replied.
They wsv. met in the hall by Roger
and Captain Harper; the gentlemen were
evidently in search of them.
I thought you had lost yourself, AL
he,' observed Roger; and as he turned to
her companion low whistle of astonish-
ment broke from his lips, and was at once
promptly suppressed.
I did not know you, Miss Anna" was
all he ventured to say, but both Alison
and Anna colored with pleasure under
Inc approving look he bestowed on them.
Miss Merle. | hope, now have taken
sIl this trouble to find you, that you
VIII not refuse to be my partner in this
Se' asked Captain Harper, so eagerly
C"ae he had almost forgotten his usual
drawl.
Alison asserted rstner coldly, but her
reluctance vanished when she found Roger
"nu Anna meant to oppose them. She
SIn0St forgot her dislike 70 her mariner