Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-05-08
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER VII.

morning, ana she lauBheu merrlly rs Sne
shook her key basket exultantly in his
face. Roger opened his eyes very widely
at this chen be stepped back few PAGES
and looked at her admiringly.
How ever did you get possession Of
that thingT' be exclaimed. do you
know. Allie. my dear. that shabby little
brown basket has been a bone Of conten-
ton between Miss Leigh and Missile for
the last month. Miss Leigh clings to II
as her sole hope, and refuses to give It
up. 1t has ended BY MISSES neatly alb
Stracting II at night. She has done II
three or four times"
YES I know. Poppie told me all about
II Welt" in an amused tone, 81 have
only paid Missile 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. am afraid
abe 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. willie Alison busted herself
with the coffee pot. Shortly afterward
there was. an unwonted sound on the
stairs. ~
IF itawere not perfectly incredible,
should say tina. was Rudel's footstep,'
Roger Observed. In q doubtful tone.
"Oh. yes, It is Rndel." returned Ali
son. brightly. Il woke him, and made
him prohise to get up. Miss Leigh says
rs RudeEeAtered, loQkng very much pleas
ed at himself. and he bore without MAX
ing very wry face his sisters kiss on
his forehead Poppls, who came in
with Miss Leigh, was
not quiH so reticent.
"What Is that forT' she asked, with
4 child.s dnnocency of grammar. but in
much surprise. as Alison kissed her warm
". andi said. Good morning, Poppie'
dear" i
"Popble means that we are not accus-
toned 80 these little civilities," put In
Roger. as Alison looked perplexed for a
moment nobody says good morning to
anybody else at The Holms except Miss
Leigh knd we, always do, don't wei"
shakingss hands. with her as he spoke.
-Fathec1ust gives an inclusive good morn
ing at the door,, .
Il anu afraid you are very much shock
cd, AlisSn, observed Miss Leigh, mourn
fully. s;'MGrsl sets sRpdel and Poppie
such e 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
few miNh tes later, he seemed quite surpris-
ed at :Ahs unSonted i6beerfulness 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.:I thought only Pussie cared for
kisses. a be said, spontaneously Pop
pie never comes TO me for one"
PopPfe redeemed, and bent over her
plate In much confusion. Roger. who
was next to her. saw the child's eyes were
full of tears.
81 expect Poppie is afraid Of bothering
you" be observed f"You would like faith
er to kiss you sometimes. as he does
Missile" he said, kindly.
us that true, my little girl7" asked
Mr.. Merle. who had just caught sight OF
Poppie's '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 about
such things. You must go round to-mor-
row and ask him for one, as | did to-day
be won't refuse either Of u.s." and she
look ed 1sughingly at him from behind her
urn. = .,.
The brightness seemed to rouse him ef-
fectually. lie had looked pale and weary
when he entered the room. but good-humor
Ii infefiMs: ....
-Yod' loof' very nice. dear" he said, APP
provinsly.. y like to see you there. ALI
SON"
81 Ike to see her there. too OBJ
served Roger. boldly; at Is her proper
place. .Misde. who had Just opened the
door, Caught both these remarks; they
did not evidently conduce to her anna
bility. She sss<e' Alison a whitening glance
as she passed by her. to greet her. father,
and. tax ing no notice Of her OF the others.
desired Rudei rather Grossly to give her
more room. and began her breakfast rath-
CT suikily. .4
But :for once her humors were dIsre-
Farded,s No one troubled themselves about
her, shd the Conversation was renewed
with Rfarcsiy a BREAK Perhaps both
Roger and .AHsen .1xereidoing, their best to
carry L on but their sense OF effort was
lost ns'the general good. ..s' fit
When breakfast was over. and Rudel
had rished OF to school. and Mr.. Merle
and Roger. had 1gone,over 10 the mill. ALI
son asked her sister pleasantly how she
proposed TO spend the morning.
That Is my affair" she answered. very
rudely; lam not accustomed to give an
account Of myself to crafty peoples curl
osity. II may as wen tell you, once for
all, that dislike interference"
Alison felt inclined. to iaugh-there was
something. eomical IN Missiles mode OF
showing her temper, but she knew nothing
provokes people more than to laugh at
them. 80 she prudently refrained from
showing her mirth"f Il am just going
round the house with Miss Leigh while
Poppie. prepares her lessons" she return
ed. as coolly as though Missile had given
her fair answer. I'm another hour
shall be quite at your convenience. If you
would like to practice with me-"