Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-02-19
Aunt Diana:
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER XI
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dressed people, tennis had not vet begun.
out the band was playing. As soon as
Ailson mad greeted her hostess she looked
round anxiously for Anna She had no
desire to linger beside Mrs. Hardwick
the handsome, talkative widow had al
ready excited her aversion. As she turned
away in search of her friend, Miss Hard
wick came up to them in company with
tall, dark man.
Mabel, DEAR" she said, almost ignor-
Ing Alison, Il must introduce Tony to
you-my cousin, Captain Harper. Tony,
TINS is my especial friend, and | shall ex-
pect you to pay her great deal of at
tention, on peril of my displeasure."
Il am too happy to perform such a
pleasing duty, am sure" lisped An
thony but his bold black eyes passed over
Missiles simpering pretty little face to
Alison's
rs this another special friend of yours
Eva!' he observed, twisting his mus
tache and looking full at her as he spoke.
Miss Hardwick made the Introduction
somewhat reluctantly; Alison bowed a lit
tie haughtily; she was not prepossessed
with Captain Harpers appearance, and
she determined to have as little as possi-
bic to do with him; he seemed about to
speak to her, but she turned suddenly to
Miss Hardwick.
Il do not see your sister," she said, in
low voice.
"Oh, | daresay not" she answered,
carelessly. Il never knew Anna ever
ready for anything; she is not half dress
ed, | suppose. Now, Tony, you must
take Mabel for your partner in the first
set and Edgar Dawson and Miss Free
land will play against you"
1--WE had better take our places then"
drawled Captain Harper and, left to her
self, Alison turned to Roger and asked
him to walk with her to the house.
81 am going in search of Anna" she
said as she left him, and she asked one
of the servants who was just entering the
tea room to take her to Annals bedroom.
The maid looked surprised, but she put
down her tray at once and preceded Ali
son upstairs.
That is Miss Annals room," she said,
pointing to the door; ''she is dressing, |
believe. A hamper of flowers came, and
she has only just finished arranging
them"
81 dare say l shall be able to help her."
returned Alison, knocking at the door.
"My dear child" exclaimed Alison, in a
surprised voice, as she entered, "why, you
have not begun to dress" for Anna was
standing at the window in her gray linen
gown, evidently watching the gay scene,
but the tears were rolling down her
cheeks.
"Oh, can not dress now," she sobbed
as Alison kissed her, sit is so late, and /
am so tired; Eva said the flowers must
be done, and | have only just finished
them. | saw Mr.. Roger and you and
Mabel come in, and did so long to come
out, but now l am just tired out, and l
can't stop crying"
ooh. you will cheer up directly and
l am going to stop and help you," re-
turned Alison, brightly. "Bathe your
eyes with some eau-de-cologne and water
l will be back in a moment" And run
ming downstairs Alison made her way into
the tea room, and after a few words with
the good-natured maid she had already
accosted, she was soon provided with
cup of coffee and some delicious looking
cake.
'Now you are to leave off crying and
take these good things | have brought
you" coaxed Alison, land then l will help
you to dress. You are tired and wor-
ried, but the coffee will refresh you
But Annals answer was a fresh burst of
tears, as she threw her arms round her
neck.
"Oh, how kind you are to me- / do love
you so no one ever took such trouble for
me before"
"Then you must thank me by enjoying
the coffee" laughed Alison, but a sym
pathizing drop hung on her own lashes
Nevertheless, she talked on cheerfully I'M
til Anna had dried her eyes and drunk
her coffee, and then she coaxed her to
let her brush her hair and arrange it,
Anna sat quite patient and docile under
Alisons hands; she did not even look at
herself till the pretty cream colored dress
was fastened, and the flowers arranged,
and then Alison led her to the glass.
"Why, | look quite different; what
have you done to me?" observed Anna, in
bewildered tone. 81 am not like my
self at all"
you have never taken enough pains
with your appearance" she replied.
They were met in the hall by Roger
and Captain Harper; the gentlemen were
evidently in search of them.
81 thought you had lost yourself, AL
lie," observed Roger; and as he turned to
her companion low whistle of astonish-
ment broke from his lips, and was at once
promptly suppressed.
Il did not know you, Miss Anna," was
all he ventured to say, but both Alison
and Anna colored with pleasure under
the approving look he bestowed on them.
Miss Merle, hope, now / have taken
all this trouble to find you, that you
will not refuse to be my partner in this
set" asked Captain Harper, 30 eagerly
that he had almost forgotten his usual