Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-04-09
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
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CHAPTER Xx.-(Continued.1

Aunt Diana had settled down ouite
comfortably in her niche, as though she
were one Of the family. Without max
ing herself unduly prominent or in any
way trenching on the young housekeeper's
privilege, she yet contrived, with quiet
tact, to tighten Alson's burden and pro-
cure her the rest she so much needed.
Alison resumed her walks with Roger.
while Aunt Diana amused Missile or read
to Mr.. Merle. During the day Alison
was too much engaged to enjoy much of
Aunt Diana's company, but Miss Caring
ton insisted that she should resume her
painting lessons as soon as Missie was
able to be with her father; and she also |
contrived that she and Alison should have
one of their old refreshing talks as often
as possible. Nothing rested Alison so |
much as intercourse with Miss CARING
tons strong, vigorous mind.
Aunt Diana quickly found her way into |
Missiles wayward little heart, and she |
soon turned her influence to good account.
One afternoon, when Alison had been |
spending some hours at Maplewood, she
found on her return that Missile had gone
back into her old room. All Alison's !,
books and pictures had been moved Aunt |
Diana's loving hands had evidently been
employed in her service-no one else
would have arranged the bowl of dark
chrysanthemums on the little round table, |
and the pretty, fresh cretonne on the
couch and easy chair spoke of the same
taste.
r,1so
Mssie.
You ought not to have done it, Mabel.
dear; 1t is very good of you, but would
rather have waited until you were really
we'll"
Il always meant to do It," returned
Missile, solemny. II thought about it
every night, and then l made I'D nv
mind to speak to Aunt Diana, and she
said she would help me- Have you seen
the beautiful illumination she has paint
ed for your"
Yes, Alison had seen it.
BE not weary in well-doing'-that
a. the text that Miss Darlington had
chosen-"for in due season we shall reap,
If We faint not Well, was not Alison
reaping a rich harvest? Would she ever
repent that she had come back to her
own people for loving service and minis
try, when she had won Missiles affection,
and found her way to her fathers heart?
That he loved and trusted her. that she
was growing daily dearer to him, Alison.
with all her humility, could not doubt
but Missile was still his petted darling
the very suffering she had caused him
brought them nearer together
1t was lovely sight, Miss Darlington
thought, TO see Missile sitting for hours
patiently beside her fathers couch read
ing or talking to him. But for her aunt's
yieilant care her health would have been
permanently injured by her devotion to
him; before she left she made Misse
faithfully promise to take her daily walk
and to resume her singing.
"You must leave something for Allie
to do" she said, with smile; Il can
not sanction monopoly. We must watch
against selfishness, dear child. even in
our best actions we must not be over
eXacting in our affection-love sometimes
compels one to efface ones self for loves
sake"
Anna was a constant visitor to The
Holms during Miss Carrington's stay
they had taken a great fancy to each
other. Anna told Alison privately that
she thought Miss Darlington was the
most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
81 don't know about her features"
Alison had answered; II don't think peo-
pie consider her handsome, but it is a
dear face, and that is all | care about"
~ am never. tired of looking at her.
returned Anna. with girlsh enthusiasm;
lone sees the thoughts coming before she
speaks: her eyes talk to one, even when
she is silent. There is something har-
monious. too, in her voice. and even in
her walk; she never jars on one; l am
sure there are no discords in her nature"
Alison repeated this speech; she
thought it so prettily worded, and so
true. But Miss Darlington shook her
head over it and let it pass; she knew
much better how the chords of her being
had once been tangled roughly out Of
tune "No discords in her nature - when
every note had been dumb and tuneless
until the Divine Hand had brought the
Jared chords into harmony.
when Gods will is our will, then we
shall know peace" she said to herself;
81 have learned that now" But she
spoke very kindly Of Anna, and praised
Alison's. discernment in the choice of
friend. "She Is a simple, lovable little
SOUL" she said once sit Is quite treat
in this decided age to meet with girl
who d;st ruoto har own Judgment and be-
lieves other peoples experiences before
her own"
anna is really very clever, Aunt Di."
81 am sure Of that, my dear; and she
shows her cleverness by not advertising
her best wares. In talking to her one
is not dropping over buckets into empty
wells-there is good sense and a clear
knowledge Of facts at the bottom. Lv
ing in an uncongenial atmosphere has
,rolo bar obv a,,d awkwa rd ehe Ia likp a