Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-05-21
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER XI.


but the band was playing. As soon as
Allison had greeted her hostess she looked
round anxiously for Anna. She had no
desire to linger beside Mrs. Hardwick
the handsome, laxative widow had al
ready excited her aversion. AS she turned
away In search of her friend, Miss Hard
wick came up to them In company with
Q tall, dark man.
Mabel, DEAR" 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
tention, on peril Of my displeasure."
II am too happy to perform such
pleasing duty, am sure" lisped An
thony, but his bold black eyes passed over
Missiles simpering pretty little face to
Alison's.
els this another special friend Of yours,
EvaT he observed, twisting his mus
tache 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-
BILE to do with him; he seemed about to
speak to her, but she turned suddenly to
Miss Hardwick.
II do not see your sister," she said, in
q low voice.
"Oh, l daresay not" she answered,
carelessly. II never knew Anna ever
ready for anything; she is not half dress
cd, / 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.
II am going in search of Anna" she
said as 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 at once and preceded Ali
son upstairs.
'That Is Miss Annals ROOM" she said
pointing to the door; "she is dressing,
believe. A hamper of flowers came, and
she has only just finished arranging
them"
81 dare say l shall be able to help her."
returned Alison, knocking at the door.
@My dear child" exclaimed Alison, in a
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
az Alison kissed her, at is so late, and
am so tired; Eva said the flowers must
be done, and l have only just finished
them. saw Mr.. Roger and you and
Mabel come in, and did SO long to Come
out, but now I am just tired out, and
can't stop crying"
ooh, you will cheer up directly, and
I am going to stop and help you," re-
turned Alison, brightly. "Bathe your
eyes with some eau-de-cologne and water
/ 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 l have brought
you," coaxed Alison, land then 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 hel
neck.
''Oh, how kind you are to me. l do love
you so; no one ever took such trouble fol
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 IN
ill Anna had dried her eyes and DRUM
her coffee, and then she coaxed her T.
let her brush her hair and arrange II
Anna sat quite patient and docile undo
Alison's hands she did not even look a
herself till the pretty cream colored dres
was fastened, and the flowers arranged
and then Alison led her to the glass
"Why, l look quite different; wha
have you done to me~ observed Anna, 1
Q bewildered tone. II am not like my
self at ALL"
"You have never taken enough pain
with your appearance" she replied
They were met in the hall by Roge
and Captain Harper; the gentlemen wer
evidently in search Of them.
81 thought you had lost yourself, A
lie," observed Roger; and as he turned I
her companion low whistle of astonisl
ment broke from his lips, and was at ono
promptly suppressed.
81 did not know you, Miss Anna" wa
all he ventured to say, but both Also
and Anna colored with pleasure undo
the approving look he bestowed on Their
miss Merle, I hope, now have take
all this trouble to fnd you, that yo
will not refuse to be my partner In tn
set" asked Captain Harper, so eager
that he had almost forgotten his usu
drawl
Alison assented rather coldly, but h
reluctance vanished when she found Rog,
and Anna meant to oppose them. 81
almost forgot her dislike to her partn,
during the long, well contested gam
which soon drew a crowd Of spectacle
round them; her skill and animation
lighted Captain Harper. Missile WI
watching them rather curiously.
81 did not know Alison was such a goo
player she said at last, when Eva joins
her. Captain Harper did not exert mir
self quite so much when he played vii