The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-01-23

vor. She took possession at once OF her
patient, after feeble protest on his part
that he objected to nurses, but after the
first few minutes he ceased to grumDie.
DIR. Greenwood soon convinced him that
Roger was too busy.
young for such a responsibility; besides,
the chief care of her sister must devolve
on her.
Missiles sleep had not refreshed her as
they hope; the pain of her bruises was
making her feverish. She could not turn
in her bed without suffering. and her
anxiety for her father added to her DIS
comfor. Alison tried to console her. and
Miss Leigh, who was sufficiently recov-
cred to sit in her room. spoke reassur-
ing words to her: but it was evident tnat
Missile could take no comfort; only wnen
Alison was alone with her, miserable
self-accus ne words came to her lips.
'Indeed, dearest, there is no need TOT
YOU to speak So" Alison said to her once
with strong yearning to console ner'
"Dear para asked after you the flrst mo
ment lie saw NE. You should have heard
how tenderly he said Poor child J
'"That is because my arm is broken,
and he knows 1 am suffering such pain.
TT anv one hated me they would pity
mo now" returned Missile, in stlted
voice
mo. no: you must not take 1t IN tnat
way" exclaimed Alison, quite shocked
as she smoothed Missiles fair hair. she
looked so pale and pretty, and the blue
eyes had such a pathetic look IN them.
Alison had parted the soft fringe, and
the soft curly ends lay quite smooth and
showed the broad white forehead. A diff
ferent Mabel lay there, with the poor
wounded arm folded on her breast, and
all the little vanities laid aside. AS
Alison stood looking at her, Missile rails
ed her uninjured arm with sudden
movement toward Alison, and in another
moment the sisters were clasping each
other close.
ooh, my poor dear, my poor dear y
whispered Alison, in the softest, most
pitying voice. Missile kissed her hastily,
and then seemed as though she would
push her away, only Alison held her
still.
mo. I don't deserve it; please don't
be so good to me. l have been altogether
horrid ever since you came home"
"Never mind all that now, dear"
eyes, but l must mind il" turning rest
lessly away and then uttering low
groan. "Oh, this pain, Alison! Shall
ever be able to move again without 1t!
I did not want you to come home; l
thought you would be in my way, and
that made me cross. l was jealous OF
YOU, and l did not want the others to
care for you. Roger was never fond OF
me as he was of you, and l wanted him
to be fond of me. And oh how horrid
and small it all seems now" finished
Door Missile, reading her past conduct
under q new light. In the dark hours
when ones strength is low, conscience
sometimes filings a vivid torch into the
recesses of ones being, bringing hidden
faults to light.
Dear Mabel, we will forget all that
now" returned Alison, gently; I'VE will
try and love each other more"
ooh. it is easy for you to love people"
retorted Missile, almost pettishly; every
one is so fond of you, and you are never
cross and disagreeable as l am. Roger
makes you his companion. and Rudel is
less rough when you are in the room, and
now papa will love you best
Hush, dear; what nonsense
"It is not nonsense" she returned, in
a despairing tone. II have forfeited his
love. He will never forgive me now. He
told me that he hated deceit; that he
should never be able to think the same
of me. He said l should never see Eva
again if he could help it. Oh, he was
so angry, so unlike himself! l suppose
my obstinacy vexed him, for l would not
say l was sorry. He took hold OF my
arm and almost shook me to make me
sneak. but I think l was like that man
who had dumb spirit"
Ito be continued.l