Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-09-04

young creatures to rest at uoontide. nv
old pensioner has already borne the bur-
den and heat of the day. -
Of course, | see what you mean.
Aunt Dir
My parable is not hard to read" re-
pileo Miss Darlington, with a smile, but
as Alison studied the picture with in
creased interest and admiration, a pair
OF shrewd, kindly eyes were studying the
girls face
10 and put yourself in that easy
chair opposite, and tell me all about it,"
she said at last, rousing her by good
humored little push 81 must finish this
branch If l am to enjoy my nights rest,
but l can listen to any amount of let
tered Woes" with a suggestive glance at
Alison's hand
Oh, Aunt Di. how do you find out
things soT' stammered Alison; then, as
though used to obedience, she moved to
the chair that was always reserved for
Miss Carrington's visitors, whom she was
wont to entertain after a fashion of her
own.
Il wonder how long I am to have pa
tience," observed Miss Darlington paint
AA6 VII AhuuSL1lOuSly, DIS AllSOu SAT WIFI
dropping head, looking at her letters, with
out offering to read them. II am quite
sure those are Rudels struggling charac-
ters; that boys handwriting is a disgrace
to the family; it has put him out of my
will forever; fancy ones nephew being
such sorry scribe"
"Rudel does write badly returned Ali
son, with faint little smile, but I like
his letters better than Missiles; there is
one from Miss Leigh, too; do you admire
her handwriting, Aunt Dir"
"No; it is too thin and angular re-
turned Miss Darlington, severely; sit
wants freedom and breadth; it reminds
me too much of Miss Leigh herself"
Il do not think we are any of us very
fond of her." interrupted Alison. 81 know
she fdgets father dreadfully, and Roger,
too, though he is so good to her"
Roger is good to everyone but him
SELF" responded Miss Darlington; 'but
even he, with all his good nature, has
owned to me that Miss Leigh has very
trying manner. You see, Alison, fussy
people make poor companions. Miss
Leigh has never leisure for anything but
her own worries; she is too overweighted
for cheerful conversation; if she could
forget Poppie's misdemeanors, and Mis-
sizes pertness, and Rudel's roughness,
and the servants failures for about half
an hour at a time, I could quite fancy
Miss Leigh a pleasing companion; but
now let me hear her letter"
SIT is dreadfully long," sighed Alison,
as she reluctantly obeyed. 1t was evil
dent that she wished Miss Darlington to
read the letters for herself. but Aunt
Diana held different opinion.
my dear Alison" it began. II am
afraid that my weekly account will be
little more cheering than the last; in
deed, | am arriving slowly at the con-
viction that, unless some change be made
in the household arrangements, | shall
be compelled, however reluctantly. to re-
sign my post"
''Humph that looks bad" from Miss
Darlington.
II have done all can in representing
to your father the mischief that must
result from his injudicious treatment of
Mabel; she is becoming so thoroughly
spoiled, SO entirely her own mistress, that
no amount of reasoning has any effect
upon her. I do not wish to lay any I'M
due stress on her behavior to myself !;
but her treatment of Mr.. Roger, and the
bad example that she sets to Poppie, not
to mention the constant pickering that is
always going on beween her and Rudel,
are quite destroying the harmony of the
household You may imagine, my dear
Alison, how trying all this is to person
Of my sensitive temperament.
81 always said it was black day for
us when Miss Darlington took you away
from The Holms. With all due Difference
to YOUR aunt's benevolence and good feel
ings, I can not help thinking that a
daughters place is with her widowed
father. Of course, you will talk the
matter over with your aunt, and perhaps
you may be able to assist me to some So
luton of our difficulties.
PATIENCE LEIGH"
Patience has changed to Impotence,
muttered Miss Darlington. grimly. "Sen-
sitive people never own to being out OF
temper. but l should have said myself
that there was a spice of ill-temper in
that letter Poor Miss Leigh is decided
ly ruffied."
'.She never could manage missile; / al
WAYS knew that" returned Alison, sor-
rowfully.
"And how old is Mabel, or Missile, as
you call herr"
"Sixteen last birthday. Aunt Diana"
"Humph there is not more trouble
some age"
"Aunt Di, 1 have something very seri-
Gus to say These letters came two or
three DAYS ago, and | have been thinking
about them ever since. do believe Miss
Leigh is right in what she says, and that
I am Sinking my duty.
"Since when?'' little dryly.
"Since l got quite well and strong and
happy, about year ago." returned Ali
son, answering most literally. ought
to have gone back then, and not have
stonped on here quietly, taking the good
of everything, and enjoying myself just
as though had no duties, and no place
in life. It is all my fault if Missile is
getting the upper hand, and making ev-