Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-05-14


we have no umbrella, and there Is not q
house in sight"
"An right" was Rogers cheerful re-
Spouse; things are just as they should
be. Walk as fast as you can in less than
ten minutes we shall be at the gate of
Maplewood. Could anything be more clev-
erly arranged? OF course we must take
refuge from the impending storm. They
will be compelled to house us for an hour
at least"
"Oh, Roger, what a good idea,' ex-
claimed Alison, laughing. "Please let us
make haste, though, or we shall never
reach Maplewood in time" And Alison
quickened her walk into run. But the
heavy drops pelted on her before she took
fefuge in the portico.
Before Roger could lift his hand to the
knocker, the door was flung open, and
Anna stood on the threshold.
II saw you both running down the
road" she exclaimed, eagerly. Il knew
you would take refuge here from the rain;
there is going to be such heavy storm,
and was just beginning to feel fright
ened at the thought of being alone in it,
but don't mind bit now"
do you mean that Mrs. Hardwick and
your sister are. out2" asked Roger, as he
shook Alison's light mantle, which was
already wet.
Eyes, they are out dining. There is to
be dance afterward, SO they will be very
late. Do you mind my taking you into
the morning room? l have some work
that must finish, or Eva will be disap-
pointed, but 1 can talk to you all the
same. oh, it is so nice to see you again"
looking at Alison aifectionately.
SIS it not nice to see me, tooT asked
Roger, in comical tone. Il don't think
you ought to leave me out in the cold,
Miss Anna"
Anna laughed and blushed at this, then
she said, very prettily, in her childish
way, ooh, l am glad to see you, too, but
never thought of telling you SO. Will
you ring, Mr.. Roger? and then Morton
will bring us some tea. Please take that
easy chair by the window, Miss Merle
it is Eva's favorite seat, because there
is such a pretty view of the garden"
mo, indeed, am going to help you,"
returned Alison, laying her hat aside, and
pulling off her long gloves. "Oh, you
poor child, what task r. as she inspected
Annals work. She was trimming an In
dian muslin gown with coffee-colored lace.
''Yes, is it not pretty?" returned Anna,
innocently. "Eva means to wear it at our
garden party on Thursday. You and Mr..
Roger are both coming, are you not?"
1--WE are not invited" returned Alison,
a little gravely, as she took a thimble
from her pocket, and helped herself I'M
asked to a needle and thread. 81 am GO
ing on with that founce," she continued,
quietly, 80 you have nothing to do but
to talk to me and Roger"
"Oh, how kind you are !" returned
Anna, gratefully. 1.-THE thunder always
makes my head ache a little, and l have
been working all the afternoon, and 1t
was so hot; indeed" interrupting herself,
Eva was writing out your notes of in
vitation to-day. l think she gave them
to Mabel. l am sorry" flushing a little
as she spoke, "that you should have them
30 late, but Eva is always so busy"
$50 Is some one else always busy"
observed Roger, with a plying glance at
the girls tired face. Both he and Alison
thought she looked thinner and paler
than when they saw her last her blue
eyes looked large and heavy, and the veins
Of the forehead were marked too clearly
her fair hair was strained from her face
and coiled somewhat untidy, and her gray
linen dress looked tumbled and far from
fresh.
II am afraid you will have to house us
for good hour or MORE" Roger observed,
for the weather means mischief, and in
this climate it never rains but it pours,
SO while Allie does your work you may
as we'll make yourself comfortable. sup
pose you will not mind my going into the
library for a book, for 1 am not much
Of hand at talk? You may summon
me when tea is ready" And Roger
marched of, muttering to himself: 1.-TWO
Is company, three is none; she shall not
be bothered with making company talk
FOR me, poor little girl r.
"How good he is |" whispered Anna,
almost before the door had closed be-
hind him; "he thinks l want to talk to
you alone, and so l do. Oh, how quick
" you work your needle seems to fly.
My head was aching SO with stopping
over the muslin that l could hardly see,
but when told Eva SO she said l was
always full of fancies, and that was
SO dreadfully idle. But don't think l
really am idle, do your"
mo, indeed" returned Alison, with
of Aunt Diana's abruptness; at
am sure you have been working too hard,
you look so thin and unsubstantial. Tell
me, Anna, why have you never come to
see me again, as you promisedT
EVA does not want me to come; at
least, l think so; she always raises diff
culties when l ask to accompany her
eyes filling with tears
she was SO angry that afternoon when
you and Mr.. Roger were so kind to me
she said was so forward that people
could not help noticing me, and that she
was sure Mr.. Roger thought So"
"Never mind. Anna dear-may I call
you Anna2 and please remember 1 am
'nly girl myself, and my name is Alison,
and not Miss Merle. Never mind, what
your sister says is not true; people often
say things when they are put out which
they do not really mean. No one could
think you forward; l am sure Roger
would laugh at such an idea If were to
tell him"
"You must not do that" returned Anna,
quietly; ''he would be so angry with Eva
they are not good friends, you know. Oh,
how Rlad I am IN fell vnu thiu II tokaS