The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-07-09
CHAPTER XXI.

notice of Roger, and sought every oppor-
tunity to be with him she had great
respect for his character, which, she said,
was q most uncommon one.
"Roger differs from the young men Of
his generation" she said once to Alison;
"he cares little for other peoples opin-
ions, unless he knows them to be in the
right-mere criticism does not influence
him In the least"
She took a great interest in his work,
and made herself acquainted with the
details Of the business. Roger wondered
little at the quiet pertinacity with which
she questioned him; she even followed
him to the mill, and sat in the timber
yard watching the men at work.
After a few conversations with Roger
she spoke very seriously to her brother
in-law; she told him Roger was very
young for such a responsibility. He Is
q good lad, and would wear himself out
In your service, Ainsle, and that without
word of complaint, but he looks too
old and careworn for his age; you must
remember he Is only two-and-twenty yet
-he must have his play time, like other
lads"
"But how am l to help him, Diana?"
asked Mr.. Merle, fretfully. 1T Is not my
fault that / am lying here like log.
The boy must work, or what would be-
come Of us all?"
my dear Ainslie, you misunderstood
me-" she replied, gently. "Of course Roger
must work, but surely he needs help for
SO large a business. Have you put no
one In your last managers placer
L ii artI %1~r
struck by her practical good sense. "Rog-
or never proposed it, and 1 was too in
dolent to think about 1t; but there Is
Murdoch, a Scotchman-he has been with
us a long time, and he is an honest fell
low. l dare say he would be glad Of a
rise in his salary; he has large young
family. I will ask Roger what he thinks
Of putting Murdoch in the managers
place. l think he would watch over our
interests"
81 wish you would do So" she returned
earnestly; "Roger is rather too hard
worked for his age. He tells me he has
| no time for cricket or tennis, or for skat-
| ing in winter. IL have set my heart,
| Ainslie, on his bringing Alison for long
| visit to Moss-side in the spring. You
will be better by that time, and If you
| have a manager Roger will be able to en-
10y holiday; he tells me he has not left
| Chesterton for two years."
II am afraid l have been very remiss
and neglected his interests" returned Mr..
| Merle, rather sadly. You shall have
your wish, Diana; will manage to spare
Roger for month"
"Come, now, that Is generous Of you"
she replied, brightly; 81 shall owe you a
good turn for that. Supposing l promise
to come and Gpend my Christmas and
| New Year with you; shall you care to
have meT
"Try me-" was his only reply. But he
said it with one Of his rare smiles, and
Miss Darlington felt she would be well
come.
The prospect of having Aunt Diana
for Christmas, and still more the promise
Of q long visit to Moss-side in the spring
went far to reconcile Alison to the part
ing when the day came for Miss Caring
ton to leave them, but when the last hour
arrived Alison's heart failed her q little
"You must not look SO pale over it
Allie" Miss Darlington said to her anx
iously; 'you know IL had the power
would willingly take you back with me. ;
Eyes, but l could not leave papa lying
there. There can be no question now
about my duty; it is comfort to know
that"
Eyes, dearest, your place must be her,
little longer; they could not spare YOU
to me yet. Do you know, I sometime.
doubt whether the old days will evel
come back"
"Oh, Aunt Di! Do you mean shall
never be able to live with you again?'
asked Alison, In an alarmed voice.
Miss Darlington looked at her in 4
strangely moved way.
II do not think you will live at TIL,
Holns always; Missile will replace 70,
by and by. / am quite sure we shall b,
together, even If it be not in the old way
Don't look so perplexed, Allie, darling
in this life, with its manifold changes ant
chances, things are seldom quite tn,
same"
"You and / will never be different,
am convinced Of that" exclaimed Alison
not In the least understanding the drift
Of Aunt Diana's strange speech. "Oh
Aunt Di, how delicious the spring will
bel To think that we shall be rowin,
on the river again to Long Island, t,
hunt for forget-me-nots, and that we shall
hear the cuckoo In Aspy Woods, and
| ahan h. a L. II. .%x,1t a.,