Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-04-23
"You do not think me too hard-hearts

"You do not think me too hard-hearte.
to insist on a two years engagement,
AllieT" Miss Darlington said presently.
Mr.. Moore has begged me over and over
again to reconsider my decision, but, in
deed, l think Greville is too young for
such a responsibility. In two years he
will be fiVe-and-twenty."
II would not have it otherwise, Aunt
Di." returned Alison, quietly. I'm two
years time, papa will be well and strong
at least, DIR. Greenwood tells us So
and Missile will be older; can be spared
then, and can leave home far more hap
ply"
rs Greville content with this?"
II have talked to him, and made him
see that we are both right. iOf course
we shall both feel the separation little
hard, but now / have promised to spend
at least two months next summer at Moss
side, and he is to pay flying visits to The
HOlms, l think we ought to be content,
and then there are the letters-letters are
such pleasure"
"And in two years Alison Merle is to
be Alison Moore"
II hope so. Aunt Di."
Darling that day will be happy one
for me. | love you both so much, and
then | shall have you near me. Think
of Fernleigh being your home"
"A beautiful home," she returned
'Roger will miss you the most, dear"
Il hope not by that time, Aunt Di.
Perhaps | ought'n to speak of it; he
has never given me the right to do so, but
| think-I hope-Anna-ma be able to
comfort him for my absence"
What makes you think so, dear?" she
asked, very quietly and yet the same
thought had occurred to her.
1T is Rogers manner; it has changed
so much of late. Once he used to be as
friendly with Anna, but now he never
mentions her name if he can help it, but
when any one talks of her | can see the
way he listens, ana the look Lhdt comes
into his eyes he is always so pleased
when l tell him she is coming to The
Holms, and he is so nice with her, speak
ing SO gently to her, and anticipating all
her wishes; you could not doubt what
it meant if you saw them together. And
she is just as sweet to him as one could
wish-very shy, but so simple and child
like"
"She is a dear little thing, and dare
say she has improved"
"Yes, indeed, even Missie owns she Is
almost pretty sometimes; not that that
matters, when she always looks so sweet
and good. Oh, Aunt Di, have grown to
love her So"
"Roger is a wise man." observed Miss
Darlington, thoughtfully; "if he chooses
Anna for his wife he will find her GER
tainly above rubies.' There is the law
of kindness in her lips; | never knew
any one so perfectly gentle"
"Missie is actually growing fond Of
her; they will be nice companions for
each other when leave home. oh, Aunt
Di, how beautifully everything has turned
out. Papa is better, and Missile is grow
ing more amiable every day Rudel is not
so rough, and Poppie is the dearest little
soul, and Miss Leigh is so much more
| cheerful"
Heaven has accepted our sacrifice
Allie" returned Aunt Diana, soemnly
"a blessing has come down on your eff
forts in way we never expected"
"'Give and it shall be given to you
| again. is the law of love-"
Darling, | never loved you so much
as when sent you from me to do your
duty"
(The End.)