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

A cup of excellent tea was very restOra-
tive in its effects, and when Alison had
freshened her tired face with cold water,
and brushed her disheveled locks, and
exchanged her travelling dress for 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 a moment she had sprung joyfully to
the door.
ooh, Roger, you dear old fellow, am
so glad to see you again." she exclaim-
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 hasty kiss or two, Rog
er put his hand under her chin and grave
ly inspected her.
II 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, eh? 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, 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. 1 looked
for rather a different greeting after two
years. absence"
II can't help it," she said, trying to
dismiss her tears; II am tired, and ev-
erything seems strange tonight, and I
do miss Aunt DIANA"
Eyes, 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 never been out of my mind a single
day."
"Well, am glad to 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 mus
tache, Roger. How well it suits you !"-
but Roger only broke into a merry laugh.
"Did you ever see such a handsome
fellow? Really, Rudel and are marvel
Gus specimens of manly beauty. He beats
me in freckles, though, ha, hap And
Roger quite rocked himself in merriment.
II like the look Of you very much"
returned Alison. "Your hair is a 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
bandbox? I wish you would take Missile
and Poppie in hand; they drive Miss
Leigh crazy with their untidiness. Oh,
we are 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
couple of love birds, the sweet young
creatures are so fond Of each other, and
as for Poppie and Missie-look, there is
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 sharp, girlish voice.
What does 1t matter? She won't
mind" in q shrill. childish treble: "you
are % cross, Mabel. Do let me come IN
with you and zee Alison.