Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-01
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
49, -
CHAPTER II.

pearance at the fnta on Thursday after
noon. The lawn was covered by gayly
dressed people; tennis had not yet begun,
bit the band vas playing. As soon as
Alison had greeted her hostess she looked
roual anziously for Anna. She had 10
desire % finger beside Mrs. Hardwick |
the handsome, laxative widow had al
ready excited her aversion. As she turned
av.ay in search of her friend, Miss Hard
wick came up to thnm in company with
e tail, dark man.
mabel, dear r." she said almost ignor-
ing Alison, Il must introduce Tony TO
you--my cousin, Captain Harper. Tony,
this is my especial friend, and | shall ex-
pect you to pay her a great deal Of at
teation, on peril of my displeasure."
Il am too happy to perform such a
pleasing duty ! am sure" lisped An
thony, but his bold black eyes passed over
Missiles simpcring pretty little face to
AIisons.
Is this another special friend Of yours,
Eva" he observed, twisting his mus
tachn and looking full at her as he spoke.
Miss Hardwick made the Introduction
somewhat reluctantly; Alison bowed a lit
tie haughtily; she was not prepossessed
with Captain Harper's appearance. and
she determined to have as little as posi-
be to do with him; he seemed about to
speak to her, but she turned suddenly to
Miss Hardwick.
Il do not see your sister," she said, III
q low voice.
ooh, | daresay not" she answered,
careleSsy. Il never knew Anna ever
ready for anything she is not half dress
ell, / 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"
1--WE had better take our places then"
drawled Captain Harper; and, left to her
self. Alison turned to Roger and asked
him to walk with her to the house.
~ am going in search of Anna" she
said rs 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 al once and preceded Ali
son upstairs.
That is Miss AnEa's ROOM" she said,
pointing to the door; "she is dressing, l
believe. 4 hamper of flowers came and
=
them
Il dare say shall be able to help her."
returned Alison, knocking at the door.
"My dear child" exclaimed Alison, in
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
"Oh, can not dress now she sobbed
as Alison kissed her. 1T is so late, and l
am SO tired Eva said the flowers must
be done, and | have only just finished
them. | saw Mr. Roger and you and
Mabel come in, and did so long to come
out, but now | am just tired out, and I
can't stop crying"
"Oh, you will cheer up directly, and
am going to stop and help you,'' re-
turned Alison, brightly. Battle your
eyes with some eau-de-cologne and water ;
l will be back in a moment" And run
ming downstairs Alison made her way into
the tea room. and after a 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 are to leave off crying and
take these good things | have brought
you" coaxed Alison, land then l will help
you to dress. You are tired and wor-
ried but the coffee will refresh YOU
But Annals answer was a fresh burst of
tears. as she threw her arms round her
neck
"Oh, how kind you are to me. do love
you so no one ever took such trouble for
me before
Then YOU must thank me by enjoying
the Coffee laughed Alison, but a sym
pathizing drop hung on her own lashes.
Nevertheless, she talked on cheerfully I'M
til 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
Alison'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
have you done TO me?" observed Anna in
bewildered tone. II am not like my
self at all"
You have never taken enough pains
with your appearance" she replied.
They were met in the hall by Roger
and Captain Harper; the gentlemen were
evidently in search of them.
Il thought you had lost yourself, Al
lie" observed Roger; and as he turned to
her companion low whistle of astonish-
ment broke from his lips, and was at once
promptly suppressed.
Il did not know you. Miss Anna" was
all he ventured to say, but both Alison
and Anna colored with pleasure under
the approving look he bestowed on them.
Miss Merle l hope, now l have taken
all this trouble TO find you, that you
will not refuse to be my partner in this
set" asked Captain Harper, so eagerly
that he had almost forgotten his usual
drawl.
Alison aSSented rather coldly, but her
reluctance vanished when she found Roger
and Anna meant 70 oppose them. She
almost forgot her dislike to her partner
during the long, well contested game,
which soon drew a crowd of specta tors
round them; her skill and animation de-
lighted Captain Harper. Missile was
watching them rather curiously.
Il did not know Alison was such a good
player" she said at last when Eva joined
her. Captain Harper did not exert him
self quite 80 much when he played with
me" with a displeased toss of her head
'He knows We are watching him, darl-
ing, and that puts him on his mettle,' re-
turned her friend, soothingly.
Really, Eva" Mabel said presently
81 never saw Anna look so Well"
Miss Hardwick turned her long neck
superciliously, and regarded her sister
with Surprise.
THAT must be Alison's doing she said
with evident pleasure Anna never die
her own hair l am sure of that" But
her handsome face clouded still more
when Missile proceeded to take her tC
task.
"You ought to look after her little
more. Eva" said Missile. You have 81
much taste yourself you ought TO help he