The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-05-07
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER VII.

AliSon'S failures, whispered Alison, IN
bunny little voice, as she encountered Rog-
er on her way downstairs on Monday
morning. and she laughed merrily as she
shook her key basket exultantly in his
face Roger opened his eyes very widely
1t this then he stepped back few PAGES
and looked at her admiringly.
"How ever did you get possession of
that thing?" he exclaimed. DO you
know, Allie my dear, that shabby little
brown basket has been bone of conten-
ton between Miss Leigh and Missile for
the last month. Miss Leigh clings to it
as her sole hope, and refuses to give it
up. 1t has ended by Missiles neatly alb
stracting it at night. She has done it
three or four times"
"Yes, know. Poppie told me all about
It Well" in an amused tone, 81 have
only paid AIisse in her own coin. Thanks
to my good habits. was dressed before
she thought of waking, so stole in, got
my key basket, and wished Missile good
morning at the same time l am afraid
she will come down dreadfully cross"
"As though that were anything new"
returned Roger, contemptuously, as he
took up the paper and retired with 1t to
the window, while Alison busted herself
with the coffee pot. Shortly afterward
there was an unwonted sound on the
stairs.
IF 1t were not perfectly incredible,
should say that was Rudel's footstep,"
Roger observed, in a doubtful tone.
"Oh, yes, it is Rudel." returned Ali
son, brightly. II woke him, and made
him promise to get up. Miss Leigh says
he has got into sad ways. Good boy"
ls Rudel entered, looking very much pleas
ed at himself. and he bore without max
ing a very wry face his sisters kiss on
his forehead. Poppie, who came in a
moment afterward with Miss Leigh, was
not quite SO reticent.
"What is that for?" she asked, with
q childs innocency of grammar, but in
much surprise, as Alison kissed her warm
ly. and said, Good morning, Poppie.
dear"
"Poppie means that we are not accus-
toned to these little civiites," put in
Roger. as Alison looked perplexed for a
moment, nobody says good morning to
anybody else at The Holms except Miss
Leigh and I; we always do, don't we?'
shaking hands with her as he spoke.
sFather just gives an inclusive good morn
ing at the door,"
II am afraid you are very much shock
cd, Alison" observed Miss Leigh, mourn
fully. mabel sets Rudel and Poppie
such bad example in this; no one thinks
Of such a thing except Mr. Roger, and he
h always SO very thoughtful"
When Mr.. Merle came into the room a
few minutes later he seemed quite surpris-
ed at the unwonted cheerfulness. He
nodded to Alison, and then took up his
letters, but she was not satisfied.
"You have not kissed me, papa" she
said. as she carried him round his cup
Of coffee.
"Oh, thought only Pussie cared for
Kisses" he said. good-humoredly Pop
pie never comes to me for one"
Poppie Redeemed, and bent over her
plate in much confusion. Roger, who
was next to her, saw the child's eyes were
full of tears.
II expect Poppie is afraid of botherine
you," he observed. "You would like faith.
er to kiss you sometimes, as he does
Missile" he said, kindly.
rs that true, my little girl?" asked
Mr.. Merle, who had just caught sight Of
Poppies quivering lip. The poor child
who was very sensitive, was on the point
Of bursting into tears, but Alison happily
hterposed.
Papa is too busy to think much abou,
such things. You must 60 round to- NOR
row and ask him for one, as did to-day
he won't refuse either of u.s." and sh,
looked laughingly at him from behind hel
urn.
The brightness seemed to rouse him ef
fectually. He had looked pale and weary
when he entered the room, but good humo
u infectious.
"You look very nice. DEAR" he said. up
provingly. II like to see you there, Ali
son."
IT Hike to see her there, too" Oh
served Roger. boldly; ut Is her proper
place." Missile, who had Just opened tn
door, caught both these remarks; the,
did not evidently conduce to her amia
bility. She gave Alison a whitening glanc
as she passed by her. to greet her father
and, taking no notice Of her or the others
desired Rudel rather GROSSLY to give he
more room, and began her breakfast rath
sr sulkily.
But for once her humors were disre
Earded. No one troubled themselves abou
her. and the conversation was renewe,
with scarcely a break. Perhaps boil
Roger and Alison were doing their best t.
carry 1t on. but their sense Of effort wa
lost In the general good
When breakfast was over, and Rude
had rushed off to school. and Mr.. Merl
and Roger had gone over to the mill, All
son asked her sister pleasantly how sh
proposed to spend the morning.
THAT Is my affair."" she answered, YER
rudely. 81 am not accustomed to give a.
account Of myself to crafty peoples curl
osity. l may as well tell you, once TO
all, that dislike interference"
Allison felt inclined to laugh-there wa
something comical in Missiles mode q
showing her temper. but she knew nothin
provokes people more than to laugh q
them, SO she prudently refrained fro,
showing her mirth. 81 am just goin
round the house with Miss Leigh Will
Poppe prepares her lessons" she return
ed. as coolly as though Missile had give
her a fair answer. I'm another hour
shall be quite at your convenience, if 70