Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-04-16

iONS anu dCdcldS WAS une SllVery BledIn
of the lovely river. Something in the
Sabbathlike stiffness, in the beauty of
the scene, in the peaceful satisfaction. of
her heart, moved Alison to kneel down
among the roses, and breathe a brief
Thanksgiving for the duties she had been
strengthened to perform, for the fatherly
goodness that brought her back to the
home of her adoption, and for the human
love that was but a dim reflection of the
Divine.
She did not hurry to 60 down. though
her luggage had not yet arrived, and there
was no possibility of changing her travel
ing dress. But when she had brushed her
brown hair, and put on her breast knot of
roses, she looked trim as ever, and her
bright, smiling face, as she opened the
studio door, brought the name Sunny to
Miss Carringtons mind, for she looked
as all young faces should look-the very
essence of a sunbeam.
"Oh, Aunt Di, the dear, lovely room
And, oh, that is the new picture" spring
ing to the easel to gaze delightedly on
golden cornfelds, with scarlet poppies
struggling among the wheat, like gaudy
promises never to ripen into fruit, and
under the hedge a little. brown baby
sleeping, with its dimpled hand full of
weeds, and a sheep dog watching its
slumbers.
'Do you like the picture, Allie? 1t is
sold already Lady Franklin fell in love
with it, but l want it to hang in next
years Academy. The baby is painted
from life; the original belongs to Barby,
an old servant"
Aunt Di, it is perfectly beautiful
Roger, come here and tell me if you do
not think So"
Nonsense, Allie; Roger is far too hun
cry for art criticism at present. Come
away, you foolish child and let me give
you something more satisfying than paint
ed canvas The chickens came from Bar
by's farm, with the strawberries and this
| jug Of delicious cream"
Alison looked round rather bewildered,
for none of these tempting viands were
| in sight; but Miss Darlington, who knew
her love for meals al fresco, had had the
supper table laid in the wide veranda,
and not only chickens and strawberries,
| but other delicacies were provided for the
hungry travellers
This is better than your tea table un-
| der the lines at home, Allie" exclaimed
Roger, as he carved for the ladies'. mo
wonder she was spoiled, Aunt Diana, and
did not take kindly to the sooty ivy and
the music of the crane"
Roger, l shall impose forfeit il eth
er you or Allie mention the MILL" OBJ
served Miss Darlington, as she handed
him a cup of coffee enriched with Bar
by's yellow cream. Il want you two
young things to forget everything but
how you are to amuse yourselves. Allie,
shall we have our break fast here, as we
did last year, while the blackbirds and
thrushes take theirs? Roger looks as
if he wanted to live in the open air. Do
you know you have got thin, dear boyT'
'Never mind that, Aunt Diana there
is no fear of rusting, that is one bless
ing-work never hurt man or woman
yet"
NO" she said, thoughtfully, "but mod
Grafton in all things was an apostles
maxim; but you are right in principle,
Roger. Now for the home news. What
is really your fathers condition? Let
ters are so unsatisfactory, and they never
say half enough"
DIR. Greenwood is delighted with the
progress he has made, Aunt Diana he
gets across the room quite nicely on
crutches, though he is not to do more at
present. OF course, the long confinement
has made him look pale and delicate but
me gsrlir itc ruf 70 H.
told me the other day that in another year
or so he might hope to be as well as
ever. He says he is an excellent pa
tient."
And how does the book 90 on?"
Very we'll, | believe; he manages to
write without difficulty with the help OF
sloping board
"That was Rogers clever contrivance,'
interrupted Alison.
Aunt Diana does not want to know
that; you have broken the thread of nv
discourse. Father does seem happier ly-
ing there with all his books round him
than he did at the mill"
And a very good idea, too" observed
Miss Darlington, looking at her nephew
with decided appreciation. How does
Murdoch fulfill his duties?"
Admirably; he is very steady fel.
low"
'Then Allies plan will answer" she re.
turned in her practical way. "There is
no reason, Roger, why you should not car.
ry on the business, and leave your father
free for his literary pursuits. He was
never fitted for business man he is toe
dreamy and impractical. Believe me, he
will be far happier and less irritable II
circumstances allow him to follow his
own particular bent"
II am quite sure Of it, Aunt DIANA
returned Roger quietly "and now l have
worked alone all these months, / feel
more competent to carry on the business
single handed. 1t has been hard pull
Ferguson had done so much mischief, but
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