The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-02-05

you see you are just going against the
wise old proverb, Never cry over spilled
milk The mischief is done, my dear.
but every one in the house has forgiven
you for being the cause of it, and now
you must forgive yourself"
"Oh, can not" she said. Il shall be
miserable until papa is WE'LL"
There speaks selfshness," he return
ed, quickly my dear Mabel why think
about yourself at all? why not think how
tired Alison looks, and how you may
spare her? l am sure a cheerful word
from you would do her no end of good"
Missile seemed struck by his words.
She looked at her sister rather scrutiniz-
ingly. Certainly Alison did look pale,
and there were dark rings round her
eyes. Roger saw his advantage, and
went on.
you have no idea how people in a
house act and react on each other-a
depressing person is like a perpetual fog.
I think l shall coin that speech as a
proverb You know I am a bit of a
philosopher-Roger the sage-that sounds
WELL"
Missiles lips curved into a smile; a
little dimple came into view.
"Come, that's about the real article
a little more, and we shall have rain
bow effect" observed Roger in delighted
tone. "Now, we have the whole thing in
working order. You have done wrong
and been sorry for it-good with an
impressive pause; "now you are going to
do better. and not think about yourself
at ALL but how you are to make US all
happier. Good again. Thirdly and lastly,
YOU are to turn over a new leaf and Gull
tiyate cheerfulness and that sort OF
thing"
81 will try" sighed Missile, raising her
face to be kissed, ''but it will be dread
fully hard.'
"Most things are hard" was the philo-
sophical reply; "but we shall never 90
much good in the world by sitting IN the
dust and casting ashes on ourselves-that
sort of thing doesn't seem to belong to
the present dispensation."
"No, it is Let the dead bury their
Dead now" observed Alison, in moved
voice. "Now, Roger, you may leave MIS-
sic to me; she is tired out, and am
going to read her to Sleep
But I am not sleepy" replied Missile,
reluctant to let Roger 60, but it showed
her new submission to Alison that she
made no further professionally as Alison
read. Missile lay quiet, with a softened
look in her eyes. Yes, she would try
and hear it they should not be any longer
troubled.
.Thank you. DEAR" she said presently,
as she noticed how Alison's voice nag
ged "the book is very pretty. but l want
Won to leave off now and take turn IN
the garden. :. Do please, Alison, it is such
a lovely evening, and it will do you SO
much good Poppie can come to me, sne
is a good girl and does not tire me-
Are you sure, Mabel dear, that you
can spare me?" asked Alison, anxlously.
"Ouite sure" was Missiles answer, and
then Alison consented to leave her. She
was conscious that her strength was fall
ing her little; the close confinement and
anxiety for the last fortnight were Trying
to her constitution; broken rest at nlgnt
often followed the long days work. Sne
was pining too for word from her dear
est friend. She had written two days ago
TO Mr. Moore, questioning him about Miss
Carrington's movements, but had received
no answer from the confidential servant
who acted as the blind mans amanuensls,
and in spite of her efforts to be cheerful
she was feeling dull and deserted.
ITO be continued.)