The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-02-05
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER NVIII.-fContinued.I

she no longer stifed it; her conscience
told her that she would never have sim
ned so grievously against her father IL Eva
had not undermined her principles by her
f1attery and playful words of advice to be
independent and assert herself.
A veil had fallen from her eyes she
no longer saw Eva's conduct in the same
light and as she grew better, ana Eva
sought opportunities to be with her. the
disillusion became more complete. Mlssle
found herself wondering over her own IN
fatuation. Had Eva always been so loud
in her manners, so unfilial in her behavior
to her mother, so unkind to Anna =! missile
at first grew critical and then reproachtul.
Strange to say, Eva accepted her reDukes
very meekly-evidently her affection for
Missile was sincere in its way, for she
took some pains to please her, and even
tried to break herself of her faults. But
for her unucky engagement with captain
Harper there was every probability that
Missile might have influenced her for
good but her approaching marriage soon
drove all salutary reflection away.
AS Missiles violent infatuation for her
friend cooled, she turned more and more
to Alison for sympathy; and here at least
she did not find herself disappointed-All-
son returned her affection warmly.
Missile was a little exacting as an in
valid, for she was still separated from
her father, and, alas! there was still
cause to be anxious for him.
DIR. Greenwood never told Alison what
he had feared but after few days,
when he and another doctor had consult
ed together over the case, he told her
and Roger that there was certainly some
degree of mischief in connection with the
spine; it would be many months-per-
haps a year or two-befOre he could
rise from his couch.
1--WE certainly hope for his complete
recovery in the future" he continued, re-
assuringly, as Alison turned pale and
Roger looked unhappy. Another inch
and he would never have moved his limbs
again; but now things are not so bad.
Mr.. Merle will have his books, and they
will 20 far to console him in his enforced
inaction."
DIR. Greenwood was right in his con-
lecture Mr.. Merle took the tidings very
quietly.
81 told you your broad shoulders were
made for something" he said, looking at
his son with a smile. He and Alison had
come to bid him goodnight
The nurse had not been dismissed.
though it was already arranged that
Roger should take her place in his faith
er's dressing room.
81 shall have to leave the mill in your
hands. Greenwood gives me no hope or
being fit for business for the next year
or two"
II will do everything 1 can, father"
returned Roger, sorrowfully; but feel
awfully cut up about it ALL
"There is no need for that, my boy"
returned Mr.. Merle Il should not Won
der if you do better at business than L,
Roger. Perhaps this will be less trial
to me than YOU suppose. l do not deny,
of course, that it is a trial; but still,
with nv books and children l shall try
to be content
1--WE shall do everything in our power
to ease your mind,' returned Roger,
bravely. But he said no more, and short
" afterward left the room, leaving his
father and Alison together.
Roger feels this dreadfully," she said,
anxious that her father should not mis-
understand his sons lack of words.
"Yes, my dear, know he does" re-
turned Mr.. Merle, with sigh. Il am
fortunate to have such son. 10 think,
he added, with emotion, that l could
ever have been so blind as to believe that
villains innuendos against him-and now
the whole business is in his hands"
"You can trust him fully, papa"
eyes. better than l can trust myself
Alison: that boy is true as steel, and
will not fail me. l wish l had found
II ont before. l remember your aunt
Diana once saying to me that If L stud
led nv children as well as l did my
hooks | should be rewarded for my pains.
By the bye, Alison, what does your aunt
saw to all this unlucky accident?'
I'VE have not heard from her." re.
turned Alison, in low voice. Roger
wrote the very next day after the acct
dent and l wrote the next day; but we
have had no reply"
THAT is very unlike DIANA" observed
Mr.. Merle, in a surprised tone.
Roger says that she can not have re-
ceived our letters, papa; you see she is
in Switzerland, mad perhaps she has
deviated from the proposed route-that is
lust her way; if she takes a fancy to a
place she will stay there for a day OF
two, and then she does not get her letters
for DAYS. If we do not hear from her
soon, Roger thinks I had better write to
Mr.. Moore. 1t does seem so strange
her eyes filling with tears-''that Aunt
Di should not know how unhappy we
have been"
II believe you are fretting after her
Alison-you are quite thin and fragile
looking"
But Alison denied this with a grea,
deal of unnecessary energy. She was
only little tired; but now Mabel wa,
getting better she would be able to hav.
a walk. sometimes.
"But you must not talk any more
papa" she finished: you are lookine
rather exhausted. Nurse Meyrick will
be here directly; may l read to YOU 9
little until she comes?'
Mr.. Merle shook his head sadly.
MY dear, should like it of all THINGS
but you know DIR. Greenwood has for