Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-04-23

mo, NOT do a. ten you, you shah I
come In presently. There you have tram
pied on my dress and torn some Of tire
trimming, you horrid little thingl will |
tell papa If you are so naughty, and
then he will not let you come down to
tea" Here an expressive roar on Pop |
pies part interrupted the discussion. Ali |
son, who could bear no more, moved
quickly to the door and opened 1t. A
pretty looking, fair-haired girl, dressed
somewhat untidily and in bad style, with
rather a vixenish expression on her flush
ed face, was standing just outside Alison's
room, and behind her a somewhat plain
little girl between eight and nine years Of
age, rather small in stature, and with a
droll, freckled face like RudeFs, only It
was just now puckered up with crying
q red, inhamed spot on one cheek was
evidently the result of a smart blow on
her sisters part in payment for the torn
trimming.
"How do you do, MabelT' she said,
with somewhat cold salute of Missiles
cheek. please do not prevent Poppie
| coming to me. l could not help hearing,
| you spoke so loud, and do not mind one
bit how she looks. Come here, Poppie,
| DEAR" but the child, evidently shy and
upset by the late fracas, held back in an
embarrassed manner, until Missile gave
her a rough push. ''Why don't you go
to Alison, you stupid little thing?" she
said GROSSLY, for she was put out at her
sisters sudden appearance on the scene.
"Please do not force her to come to
me; we shall be very good friends direct
ly," returned Alison, sorry for the poor
child's awkwardness. Come with me,
Poppie dear; Roger is in my room, and
will show you the pretty new game I
have brought for you"
The child's face frightened in a mo-
ment, and she moved instantly to take ALI
sons hand; again Missile interposed.
''She must change her frock, Alison -;
tea is just ready, and hear papa's step
in the garden. He will be very angry If
Poppie looks rough or untidy; and can
not allow him to be vexed," pursuing up
her lips with a virtuous expression.
Alison controlled a quick retort with
some difficulty. She had fully expected
to find Missile most aggravating little
person, or why should Miss Leigh com
plain of her so bitterly? But the reality
was worse than she anticipated.
Never mind" she said, calmly; eve
must not vex papa, must we, Poppie?
will help you change your frock, and per
! haps after all we may have time to lool
at the fish ponds" And without another
, glance at Missile, Alison made Poppi'
J cheerfully lead the way, as she did no
know her room.
As Alison, after dressing Popple, CAM
9 down the staircase with the child still
clinging to her, Mr.. Merle suddenly mad
his appearance from the study. He al
most started at the sight Of his daughter
and an expression of pain crossed hi
handsome, careworn face. In the din
= light Alison recalled her mother too plain
ly to his eyes.
! "Oh, papa" she said, hurrying to hin
!, and putting up her fair young face t
= his. He kissed her kindly, patted it, toll
= her that she had grown into a womal
since he had seen her, and questioned he
:. with some interest about her journey.
\ The dining room, a large, handsomel
= furnished room, looked sufficiently coz
as they entered it. Missile was in tn
seat of honor; she gave a little simpel
ing laugh as Alison entered with her fatl
/ L SUPPOSE ihlc Will NC JOuA PAoN
Tomorrow" she said, for, as Alison r.
piled simply, II suppose 80, but nee
: not disturb you tonight" a vexed loo
crossed Missiles face, but as Rudel wa
already grinning in hopes OF a row 81
. prudently disappointed him.
When they rose from the table, Missile
!. first words were a peremptory order fC
= Poppie to put away her toys and go
= bed This led to a feeble protest on Mi
a Leigh's part.
ut is not so very late, Mabel, and Pc
;, pie has not seen her sister for two year
:. I think she might wait a little longer"
l. 81 am not going; there now !" observe
W the. child, defantly, quite oblivious Of h
ID fathers presence.
"Go 1t, Pops. I'll back you," whispers
!. Rudel, rubbing his hands; "she shan
touch you as long as am here"
- Mabel's eyes flashed. "You hOrrid, ru'
- boy. Papa" But here Alison gent
- interfered.
"You will 60 to bed now, dear, will u
b not 2" she whispered In the child's es
land l will come and tuck you up. Al
7 wish you goodnight" And thus prof.
tiated, Poppie's sullenness vanished, Al
m she trotted on at once.
Ito be cOntinued.)