The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-05-27

we have no umbrella, and there u not 4
house in sight"
"All right" was Rogers cheerful re
Spouse; ~things are just as they should
be. Walk as fast as you can +; In less than
ten minutes we shall be at the gate Of
Maplewood. Could anything be more elev-
erly arranged2 OF course we must take
refuge from the impending storm. They
win be compelled to house US for an hour
at least"
~Oh. Roger. what a good idea" ex-
claimed Alison. laughing. Please let US
make haste. though. or we shall never
reach MaplewoOd in time" And Alison
quickened her walk into a run. But the
heavy drops pelted on her before she TOOK
sefuge in the portico.
Before Roger could lift his hand to the
knocker. the door was dung open. and
Anna stood on the threshold
Il saw you both running down the
road" she exclaimed. eagerly. Il knew
you would take refuge here from the rain (;
there is going to be such a heavy storm.
and l was just beginning to feel fright
ened at the thought Of being alone in II,
but l don't mind a bit now"
do you mean that Mrs Hardwick and
your sister are out7@ asked Roger. as he
shook Alison's light mantle. which was
already wet
ayes, they are out dining. There is to
be a dance afterward. 50 they win be very
late. Do you mind my taking you into
the morning room2 l have some work
that l must finish, or Eva will be disap
pointed, but l can talk to you all the
same. oh. il is so nice to see you again."
looking at Alison adectionately.
is il not nice to see me. tOo37 asked
Roger, in a eomical tone. Il don't think
you ought to leave ne out in the cold.
Miss Anna"
Anna laughed and blushed at this. then
she said. very prettily, in her childish
way. "Oh. l am glad TO see you too, but
I never thought OF telling you So VIII
you ring. Mr.. Roger? and then Morton
VIII bring US some tea. Please take that
easy chair BY the window. Miss Merle
il is Eva's favOrite seat. because there
is such a pretty view Of the garden"
"No. indeed. I am going to help you,'
returned Alison. laying her hat aside. and
pulling of her long gloves. "Oh. you
poor child. what a task - as she inspected
Annals work She was trimming an In
dian muslin gown with eofee-eolored lace
yes. is il not prettyF" returned Anna
i~nnocently. EVA means to wear it at our
garden party on Thursday. You and Mr..
Roger are both coming. are you noty'
1--WE are not invited" returned Alison.
a little g~ravely, as she took a thimble
from her pocket. and helped herself I'M
asked to a needle and thread Il am go
ing on with that fiounce." she continued.
so you have nothing to do but
to talk to me and Roger"
-Oh, how kind you areF' returned
Anna, gratefully. The thunder always
makes my head ache a little. and 1 have
been working all the afternoon. and il
so hot; indeed" interrupting herself.
Eva was writing out your notes Of In
to-day. l think she gave them
to Mabel. l am sorry" flushing a little
IS she spoke, shat you should have them
70 late. but Eva is always so busy"
$50 is some one else always busy"
Roger. with a plying glance at
he girls tired face Both he and Alison
she looked thinner and paler
han when they saw her last: her blue
yes looked large and heavy, and the veins
# the forehead were marked too clearly
Ter fair hair was strained from her face
md coiled somewhat untidy. and her gray
inen dress looked tumbied and far from
Il am afraid you will have to house Us
or a good hour or more" Roger observed,
for the weather means mischief, and in
his climate it never rains but il pours,
while Allie does nj work you may
s well make yourself comfortable. l sup
'ose you will not mind my going into the
ibrary for a book. for l am not much
{ a hand at talk? You may summon
ne when tea is ready" And Roger
Of. muttering to himself: Two
) company, three is none: she shall not
e bothered with making company talk
or me, poor little girlT'
How good he isl" whispered Anna.
before the door had closed be-
ind him: "he thinks l want to talk to
alone, and 50 / do. oh. how quick
!, you work ! your needle seems to hy.
" head was aching so with stopping
YER the muslin that / could hardly see,
ut when l told Eva $ she said / was
ways full of f~ancies, and that I was
} dreadfuIIy idle. But I don't think /
ally am idle, do your
"No, indeed" returned Alison, with
,mething Of Aunt Diana's abruptness; Il
sure you rave been working too hard,
ou look so thin and unsubstantial. Tell
e, Anna, why have you never come to
e me again, as you promisedT'
EVA does not want me to come: at
asst, 1 think so: she always raises diff
Ilties when / ask to accompany her;
ld-and"-her eyes filing with tears
The was 50 angry that afternoon when
,u and Mr.. Roger we're 50 kind to me;
le said / was 50 forward that people
,uld not help noticing me. and that she
as sure Mr.. Roger thought So" +,
"Never mind. Anna dear-may I call
" Anna7 and plessa remember l am }
ly a girl myself, and my name Is Alison, ]
ID not Miss Merle. Never mind. what !
Iur sister says Is not true; people often
y things when they are put out which
ey do not really mean No u could
ink you forward; I am sure Roger
ould laugh at such an idea II ! we're to !
Il him.
"You must not do that" returned Anna, J
iietly; he would be 50 angry with Eva; {