Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-02-05

llardwlck accepted the invitation will
great ala"rity. When Alison left them
after a few more words. she listened re
luctantly to Eva's criticism.
81 had no idea your s.s,er was such
stylish person." she "a d. when the door
closed on Al son; 'sho has fine eyes and a
good figure, and she knows how to suit her
own style in dress. SIe is not as pretty
as you, darling of course, but she has
some claims to good looks"
Alison did not return these moderate
compliments: she was not at all attract
ed by Miss Hardwick. She was a large,
heavy looking girl, rather handsome, but
her face had no play of expression, and
her manner was dec .dedly artificial.
Alison spent a pleasant hour with her
new friend under the lime trees. She
soon grew interested in Annals artless
talk. She was evidently very young for
her age though she was seventeen, she
was still childish in manners. Probably
she had been repressed and kept in the
background by her sister.
1T is so good of you to let me talk to
you,' Anna said Mamma and Eva say
| am such a chatterbox, when | begin
to ask them questions. think | am
fonder of talking than most people. An
thony says that makes me so trouble
some"
'Who is Anthony" queried Alison, a
little curiously.
oh, he is our cousin he is staying
with us now. Eva says it is so nice, be-
cause we have no brothers, and he can
take us about. Eva and he are great
friends; she always calls him Tony. He
is such a handsome fellow, with a big
black mustache like a cavalry officer. He
is in the army, you know. | am dread
fully frightened of him, because he laughs
at me, but il is only his way, he means
to be good-natured."
Alison prudently refrained from all
comments, but said, lightly, Now we
have talked all this time, and | wonder
what has become of your sister and Ma
bel? propose that we have afternoon
I tea under these trees, and that you and
l, with Sarahs help, should prepare
little surprise for them. Will not Poppie
be delighted?'
Anna might have been a child from
the way she clapped her hands; she had
never enjoyed herself so much in all her
| life as during the next half hour, as she
and Alison dragged chairs across the
lawn, and arranged the little tea table
with the nice basket of hot cakes that
old Nanny had prepared. some fresh
Strawberries, and little vase Of roses
in the center. Even Missile looked pleased
when, on returning from their hot walk,
she caught sight of the snowy cloth under
| the trees.
THAT is really a good idea" she OBJ
served, in a grudgng tone, however; but
Eva very nearly made her cross again by
saying:
"How delicious of your sister! really
would hug her for this. What pity we
never thought of this before, dear, and
then Tony might have joined US"
When Roger returned from his work,
an hour earlier than he expected, he stood
quite transfiyed Oh the gravel walk; for
certainly such a pleasant little picture
had never been seen before in the garden
of The Holms.
you may have my chair by Miss
Leigh exclaimed Poppie, eagerly. "Oh,
the cakes are so nice, Roger, and there
are two left"
81 must make you some fresh tea you
poor tired day laborer," observed Alison,
! as Roger threw himself into the wicker
chair and removed his hat.
"Oh, let me do it." exclaimed Anna,
eagerly. II know the way to the kitchen
quite we'll"
"Yes, and l will go, too," added Pop
pie. "There are some more Strawberries,
l know"
Bring me a big plateful." called out
Roger, as Poppie frisked away; but he
looked after them both rather curiouSy.
His little friend looked different, some
how, he thought Was it Alison, he Won
dered. who had put those coquettish look
ing roses into the little gray gown?
Annals face looked dimpled and smiling.
Her blue eyes quite shone when she came
back. She and Alison and Roger had a
long talk, while Miss Leigh listened and
knitted industriously. Missie and Eva
! had wandered away again-most likely
| to avoid Roger. lie had addressed Miss
| Hardwick with studied politeness, but she
| had tossed her head and hardly answered
| him. She would make no terms with the
enemy who had wounded her vanity so
grievously.
1--WE will take one more turn, darling
and then we must really CO." she had
said to Missie: and in few more minutes
they heard her calling for Anna.
"Come, Anna. don't dawdle. We must
really go now"
Good by. have had such a happy
afternoon. thank you so much,' whispered
Anna, with a timid kiss that Alison
warmly returned. "One day you will
have me again, will you notT
Come whenever you like, dear. | am
sure we shall be good friends" returned
Alison, forgetting the necessity of lower
ing her voice.
Miss Hardwick laughed affectedly as
she heard the sDeech.