Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-04-02
CHATTER XX-

CHAPTER Xxx.
Missie received the news of Aunt Di-
ana's arrival with an exclamation of dis
may, and a hot flush came to her face.
"Oh, Alison, it will be dreadful to see
her! | always was afraid of her, you
know: she is one of those painfully good
people who make one feel small and hor-
rid. Please don't let her come in to-
night And Missile sat bolt upright in
a panic.
Now, Miss CarrIngton had quick ears,
and she caught the most of this speech
and laughed to herself softly: for il is
those who try hard TO be good who are
the most conscious of evil within. and
Miss Darlington was one who had often
cried with 81 Paul, "Thr good that
would | do not" Her heart felt very
soft toward the wilful little girl who had
brought such misery on herself and 9th
ers, even before she entered the room, but
her first sight of Missie gave her feel
ing of surprise. She said afterward she
ceased to wonder at Ainses infatuation
for the child, for she was certainly be-
witching little creature.
The pink ribbons in Missiles dainty
dressing gown were not pinker than her
cheeks, her blue eyes shone with un-
easy light, and the soft, fair hair lay in
delicate rings above the pretty, childish
face; her frightened appealing look would
have touched a colder heart than Miss
Carrington's, and it was with real affec-
ton that she bent over her. But Missiles
tender conscience made her shrink from
her aunt's kisses.
please don't be so kind to me, Aunt
Diana-every one is. and it is not right"
MY dear little girl, we none of us
want to see our poor little butterfly brok
en- OF the wheel; we are far too sorry for
you. Of course, you have been a naughty
child; you have been setting your small
world on fire, and have got your pretty
wings singed. Well, now you have learn.
ed wisdom through painful experience,
and we must all help you to get the les
son perfect"
II don't think any one was ever so
wicked as |, Aunt DIANA sighed Missile.
well, my DEAR returned her aunt,
briskly, 'it is not my concern to go about
weighing my neighbours trespasses in
balance; don't fancy human scales
would be nicely adjusted; but | am quite
sure of one thing-that | was very
naughty child myself-the red-cheeked APP
pies | stole gave me moral indigestion
still"
1t was impossible to look grave over
this Alison's merry laugh was infectious
Miss Darlington stayed few more min
utes, questioning Missie about her arm,
and talking kindly to her, until the poor
child was quite happy and at her ease.
Il don't know what it is" she said
that night, when Alison gave her the
goodnight kiss; you all seem trying to
make me believe that | have not been
naughty at all, and that there is nothing
to forgive"
81 thought forgiveness meant that" re-
turned Alison, simply; you know how
the Bible speaks of sins blotted out
that means the page is white again-one
can write freshly across the blank"
There never was a merrier supper table
than the one at The Holms that night
late as it was Poppie sat up for it, and
no one TpDuheu HtG lOI utI tuulleT.
kept up the character of a bashful school
boy but even he relaxed his wde-eyed
gravity when Otter was admired and kind
inquiries made after Sulky. Aunt Diana
knew the way to a boys heart; though
she never had a boy of her own but
there are some unmarried women whose
large natures can embrace whole world
of little ones, and such one was Aunt
Diana.
But as she talked and laughed with the
others, her keen gray eyes followed Ali
sons every movement. 1t seemed to Miss
Darlington that her darling was changed
somehow-some of the brightness that
had always lighted her young face had
faded little; she was graver and more
in earnest.
"Allie has laid aside her leading strings,
and has learned to walk alone" she said
to herself; Though she loves me as much
as ever, she needs me less. | ought to
be glad to know this, for can not ex-
pect to live forever"