The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-06-04

7 ths ofics. I must be in the yard early,
too. l shall not even be able to speak
to Missile"
II will tell her what you say, and
then, of course, she will be obliged to give
it up" returned Alison, not relishing her
! task at all, but counting, nevertheless, on
an easy victory. Missile had put herself
so completely in the wrong that no choice
but submission was left to her. Roger,
who knew Missile perfectly, was not SO
| sanguine.
"Tell her that If she goes shall GER
tainly inform father, and then he will
put stop to her visits to Maplewood,
and tell her, too, that I am perfectly
disguised at her conduct. 1 am afraid
you must do it, Allie"
VERY WE'LL" she sighed. But she lay
awake a long time revolving what words
she would use.
Alison awoke with strange oppres-
sion upon her-a sense of difficulty, that
made the daylight seem less bright. She
became nervously conscious that she might
fail. What If her severity were of no
avail, and Missile should persist in going?
She was little later than usual in going
down. Roger had already had his break
fast and had gone to the mill, and the
meal was half over before she suggested
that Poppie should knock at Mabel's door.
"Oh, I forgot" returned Poppie, in a
stricken voice, laying down her slice of
bread and jam; "Missie came into my
room before l was. dressed, and told me
to tell you she would not want any
breakfast-she was going to have 1t at
Maplewood. She looked so smart, Alison,
In her new blue dress. 1t was rather
funny Of her to put it on for breakfast"
miss Leigh, will you come into the
school room a moment, If you have fin
ishedT said Alison, quietly; but the gov
erness noticed that she looked rather pale,
and rose at once, but she was even more
shocked than Alison when she heard the
whole story.
MY dear, your papa will never FOR
give US If we do not prevent it." she said,
very solemnly. You none of you know
how particular he is; and this will seem
dreadful to him. You must 60 to Maple
wood yourself, Allison, and speak to Mrs.
Hardwick. She is the only one who can
do anything. Anna can 60 in Mabels
place, but you must insist on bringing
Mabel home. l will not answer for the
consequences If this affair comes to your
fathers ears" continued the governess,
moved to tears at this fresh instance OF
Missiles self-will.
Alison thought this such good advice
that she put on her hat at once and
walked over to Maplewood. 1t was not
pleasant errand, she felt, and she hardly
knew what she would say to Mrs. Hard
yin1r ShA 1xy ch rnf,
to return without Missile, even If she had
to brave the obnoxious Captain Harper
himself. But her face fell when she en-
tered tho morning room and found Mrs.
Hardwick and Anna alone; the others
had just driven from the door. Seeing
that her visit was useless Alison returned
home. Roger met her at the gate with
the news that Mr.. Merle had returned.
II have not seen him yet, Allie; have
only just come across from the MILL" he
continued. would you like me to tell
him, dear, or do you think you can do it
better?"
I'VE will 90 together" returned ALI
son, uneasily. II am 50 afraid that he
will put himself out, and then you will
know what to say" And Roger acquiesc-
ed.
They found Mr.. Merle in his study,
locking somewhat tagged and weary, but
he held out his hand with a smile, as
though he were pleased to see them after
his brief absence.
"Where is Pussie2' he asked; "she is
generally the first to welcome me-" And
he looked round as though he were disap-
pointed.
Dear papa returned Alison, bravely,
II am afraid you will be ve1ed about
something. We have none of us seen
Mabel this morning; she breakfasted at
Maplewood. Roger met Anna at the
| Meredith's last night, and she told him
that Mabel had promised to join Eva and
her cousin in an excursion to Durbans.
| I went over to speak to Mrs. Hardwick
| and bring Mabel back, but they had al
| ready started"
"What ! thundered Mr.. Merle, and the
| blackness of his brow was dreadful to
Alison, "do you dare to tell me that Ma
bel has gone over to Durbans in that
mans company, when l forbade any in
tercourse with himT
Captain Harper is driving them in his
dog-cart," rejoined Roger, coming to his
sisters relief ut seems very silly af-
fair, and l begged her to stop it; it is no
fault of hers or Of mine, father. Missile
slipped out of the house while they were
! at breakfast, and though Alison started
off to Maplewood as soon as she could
she was just too Late
mo, it is not your fault" returned
Mr.. Merle, gloomily. mabel must bear
the brunt Of her own disobedience. Miss
Hardwick shall never enter this house
again."
Would you like me to take an early
afternoon train to Durbans?"" interrupt
ed Roger, who had already conceived this
plan, land when l could join them there
il a vacant seat In the dog cart"
Look out train in the time table, u
he said, suddenly; II will go myself, Rog,
er. Mabel shall not return in the dog
cart; shall bring her back by train"
CHAPTER XIV.
Alison passed an anxious and solitary
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