Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-03
CHAPTER XXIy-(Continucd J

O4d d. anu the evident SFdtluCdt4OiL
with which Mr. Moore listened to him.
She might almost have believed herself
forgotten, but that every now and then
the thin hand passed lightly over her hair
with caressing touch which told how
he loved TO feel Sunny near him again.
Greville kept little aloof from them, but
not a movement escaped his notice. Once
Alison glanced in his direction and met
grave, touched look in his eyes, as though
something moved him.
Miss Darlington presently came in to
see after her charge for such she evident
~ considered the old man, and dispersed
the little group. Mr. Moore must have
his monday rest, and then he would be
we'll enough to play to them in the even
ing, but he had talked to them sufficient
iy for the present
The rest of the morning was spent in
tennis, and in the afternoon Miss Caring
ton joined them, and Greville and Roger
rowed them to the Long Island. that
Alison might revisit her old haunts and
the evening was spent at Fernleigh.
This was Grevile's only idle morning
for tire future he adhered steadily to his
determination to work until luncheon,
and as alison resumed her old habits of
painting under Aunt Diana's supervision.
or playing to Mr.. Moore or reading to
him, Roger found himself left to his own
devices
He took Miss Carrington's advice and
lived in the open air, either lying on the
lawn with a book or padding himself
lazily in canoe, till his face was brown
AMI ruddy with health, and he grew as
lig't hearted as a boy.
In the afternoons and evenings the
three young people were always together.
Tennis and boating or drives in Gre
villcs dog cart filled UP the afternoon
When Mr.. Moore was pretty we'll the
evenings were always spent in his room !;
sometimes he played on his violin while
Alison accompanied him, or one of the
young meh read aloud while the ladies
worked.
fha ole man always retired early. and
then sometimes Greville would tempt
then to a moonlight row or stroll or if
Miss Darlington refused this for her
self and Alison, Roger and he would pace
the garden in animated conversation.
The young men had become great
friends. Grevillc, who was a few months
older than Roger, always acted as though
he were younger. Roger was full of
quaint drollery, and loved fun in his own
way. but Greyilles spirits were liable to
carry him laway; he had plenty of char
acter, but Rogers grave solidity and
greater thoughtfulness were uncommon at
his age; nevertheless Greville's gaynty
and natural exuberance covered a depth
of feeling that would have astonished
people. "A man is man for a that"
he would have said if any one had accus-
ed him of too much love of play; that he
played we'll in his youth was no argument
against his working we'll by and by.
Young growing things must stretch
themselves" Miss Darlington used to
say in loving extenuation of her favorite.
When a good woman thinks we'll of a
man there can not be much amiss with
him Miss Darlington always said Gre,
vile was a fine creature, and she had
tolerably Shrewd judgment of her own.
Aunt Diana had resolved that Roger
mud Alison should have as much play as
possible so she not only revived her
Wednesdays. but she gave a boating par
L
favorite with the ladies, old and young.
though he could not compare in good
looks with Greville, but his honest face
and courteous manncrs-the manners
bred of a perfectly kind heart-won gold
en- opinions, but Miss Darlington. who
had reasons of her own for watching him,
could not fail to notice that though he
Was pleasant to all the young ladies. ne
did not single out one as an object for
any special attention, while on the CON
Irary, Greville was always beside Alison.
She drew her own conclusions, but
made no remark. She always said: 1T
vas like brushing the golden dust off a
Luttcrfy's wing to speak of such things
20 young people before their time" But
ner heart was very full sometimes when
.he looked at Alison. Il will not speak
o her: when the time comes. she will
peek me Of her own accord" she thought +;
there are some things | can not teach
her. that every woman must learn for
herself"
That time came sooner than she ex-
Iected
One evening she was sitting alone IN
the studio. writing a letter to her broth
or-in~law, when she caught a glimpse Of
Alison's white gown flashing between tie
shrubs, and in another moment the girl
came swiftly through the conservatory
and stood beside her.
Aunt hi, | want to speak to Won"
One moment, Allie l have Just fin.
ishcd my letter to your father. Have Won
sny message for him."
oh I
juss now,' she said, in such a tremblino
voice that Miss Darlington looked IN
quickly, and what she saw in AIison's
taca made her drop her pen.
Come and sit here, darling. and fau
me all about it, and as Alison hid bar
burning face. drawing down Aunt Di.
ana'S hands, as though they would shield
her eGectualy, she continued. tenderlv
Don't be shy over it. Allie. OF course
l know what it is; Greville has been
speaking TO you?"
Yes. Aunt Di"
'.Wcl. l will scold him presently for
not speaking to me first" But there was
re anger in Aunt Diana's eyes. Il dare
sSy his grandfather encouraged him: he
is so set upon this. Well, Allie, and
what did our boy say to you?"
oh, Aunt Di, don't ask me-" returned
Alison. desperately, he thinks too high
~ of me. / am not as good as that;
don't deserve it ALL"
I'VE must allow for a little exaggera
ton under the circumstances returned
Miss Darlington, smiling. and managing
TO free her hands, and so get a glimpse
OF the hidden happy face.
ssRut Amt hi +" almost whiSpar;pc
ARE we not too young? Greviile viii
have 10 be at Oxford another year, ant
and"
Too young to marry just yet, Allie
but l think, under Greville's peculiar cir
cumstances-his grandfather's great ag
and precarious health, and his loneliness
having ne parents or brothers and sister
belonging to him-that an engagement
might be allowed. 1t will make him hap
pier, and give him heart for his work. II
general, Allie, do not approve of Ion;
engagements for young people, they are 81