The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-02-04
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHATTER ".

CANT NHeu sue lau 10 part from Aunl
Diana. 1t was a sad leave-taking, and
the tears were in Alison's eyes long after
the train steamed slowly into the Ches-
terton station. Alison gathered up her
numerous articles Of travelling gear, and
looked out with some eagerness, but Rog-
er's tall figure was nowhere in sight, and,
much disappointed and perplexed, she
gave porter instructions about her trav-
cling boxes.
"Wili You fetch me cab, please?' fall
tered Alison, feeling ready to cry again
at her loneliness, and wondering at Rog-
er's unkind desertion, and then all at
once she encountered a pair of round blue
eyes. very wide open. She started yes,
there was the wide mouth, the droll.
freckled face that she remembered so
we'll; OF course it was Rudel, grown. but
not otherwise altered, grinning affably at
her.
"Why. Rudel," she exclaimed, reproach-
fully. why did you not speak to me?
was looking for Roger, and nearly passed
you by"
"Oh, but l should have halIooed all in
good time" he returned, with another
y
ing from any warmer fraternal greeting
As soon as she was seated in the cab
he got in after her, and proceeded TO put
down both windows. You would not like
me to 90 outside, l suppose" he said, in
a good-humored, dawdling voice; these
cabs are so stuhy they make fellow
feel queer"
Go outside if you like" returned Ali
son, willing to humor him, but rather dis
turbed at the boys GOODNESS.
"Oh, it does not matter" was the con
Trajectory response; I'VE have not far
to go, and cabby is so unusually stout
there would not be room for Otter. Oh,
by the bye, Roger told me TO tell you
that father told him that somebody else
must come to the station, as he could not
be spared. Roger was awfully put about,
for he said l should be no help, and
have not been much, ehF' with another
grin that threatened to became a laugh.
81 wish dear old Roger could have
come, but l am glad to see you, too" was
Alison's police reply. 81 thought you
would have kissed me after two years of
absence"
"oh, never kiss girls" reddening Wis
fbly.
Not your own sisters?p exclaimed
Alison. in a grieved voice. "Oh, Rudel.
you used not to be so stiff and unkind"
Il amt one or the other rousing up
at this reproach. Il think it is 6rst-rate
your coming, l mean-and you are no
end of a brick to do it. and" with
sudden burst of confidence, II shouldn't
mind giving you a kiss now and then,
when you wanted it particularly, if you
would promise not to tell Missile; would
not give her one-no, not if she were to
ask me on her Blended knees-a stuck-up
little mink :"
"Oh. Rudel. for shame. Mabel is as
much your sister as | am"
No. she isn't, and never shall be-"
yrowled the lad Il tell you what, Ali
son, you are an out-and-outer, and no
mistake, and will help you fight all your
battles. that | viii, as sure as my name
IS Rudel. and that is better than ever so
many kisses"
Dear RHdel, l am sure you mean |
Kindly, though you have such a funny
way of showing it; but have no wish |
% fight any one"
"Oh, but you Will be obliged to fight |
Missile, whether you wish for 1t or not"
vas the cool rejoinder; but Alison was
spared any further argument on this sub
ect, as they had reached The Holms, and
n another moment were driving up the |
travelled sweep between rows of dusty |
vergreens.
The Holms was a singularly built house |
\ square. stone hail. uncarpeted and
.hilly looking. led to the kitchen and 9TH
d domestic Offices, all on a large scale
md unusually roomy: a wide fight of
tone steps. differing from the modern
by being also uncovered, led to
he sitting rooms. dining room, drawing
Dom, school room. and study. all open
ne on to a narrow corridor. fitted from
nd to end with books-books literally
ming it from floor to ceiling.
As Alison YEARLY assembled the steps.
thin ladylike woman in a black gown,
nth a depressed gentle face. came to
he head of the staircase.
Il am so glad to see you. my DEAR"
he said. kissing her affectionately. why,
do believe you are grown. Alison; you
re taller than | expected to see you, but
on are looking pale
"Oh. thar is nothing returned Ali
on. hastily. II am tired with the jour
ey." For just then she did not wish her
,oks to be TOO keenly criticised. Where
re the Others, Miss Leigh-father, Mabel
nd Poppie?"
Il am so sorry, Alison. that l am the
nly one to greet your homecoming. Ma
Ell and Poppie are out; they had an
lvitation to an afternoon party at the
it is little Stacy's birthday
wanted Mabel to stay at home and let
oppie 90 without her, but she would
OF hear of it,"
Never mind, returned Alison, quietly
at She was conscious OF a hurt. chilled
,eing as Miss Leigh brought out this
me excuse. This was her return home
ter two years absence. and yet Roger
,uld NOT be spared to meet her at the
alton. and Mabel could not give up an
ternoon's amusement 10 welcome her sis
+. Her father was busy as usual; prob I
BY he had forgotten her existence at I
is time. {
You are very tired. my dear" con- |
nued Miss Leigh. disturbed at the young /
rl's sudden gravity and paleness. Shall
take you to your ROOM and send you !
, a cup OF tea? | daresay you would {
1e to be quiet little" J
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