Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-03-26
feel quite bad-but then Roger was sucn

feel quite bad-but then Roger was sucn
sofi-hearted fellow.
You do not understand" she said at
last, very slowly.
MY dear little sister, he said, TAX
ing her hand, 81 do understand, and so
does Alison, and we are both agreed ON
this point. Repentance is apt to be trou-
blesome if it be carried beyond due bounds
and in fact, it can degenerate into
selfishness-and you are really very self
ish about this
"Oh, Roger exclaimed Alison, lit
tie shocked at this plain speaking. But
Roger knew what he was about; he was
determined, as he said quantity, ito seal
up the fountain of Missiles tears"
rs he not unkind?" returned poor
Missile, piteously. "He calls me selfish,
just because am so sorry about papa"
We are all sorry, Mabel" returned
her brother. seriously, though we do
not go about the house wetting the floors
with our tears, like medieval sinners. I
declare it makes .one quite damp to come
near you--it is really bad for your health,
my dear"
Now you are laughing at me-" she
replied, pettishly.
True, and that is the unkindest cut
of all, is it not? But | am not laugh
ing when l talk about your selfshness
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, l can not" she said. 81 shall be
miserable until papa is WE'LL"
There speaks selishness.' 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? ! 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.
think | shall coin that speech as a
proverb. You know | am a bit of a
ilosopher-Roger the sage-that sounds
WE'LL"
Missiles lips curved into smile;
little dimple came into view.
Come. that's about the real article
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 cul-
tivate cheerfulness and that sort OF
| thing"
81 will try sighed Missie, 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 do
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 l am not sleepy" replied Missie,
reluctant to let Roger CO. but it showed
her new submission to Alison that she
| made no further protest-only as Alison
read Missie lay quiet, with softened
| look in her eyes. Yes, she would try
and bear it; they should not be any longer
| troubled.
Thank you dear" she said presently,
as she noticed how Alison's voice flag
ged "the book is very pretty, but | want
you 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, she
is good girl apdsdoes not tire me-"
Are you sure, Mabel dear, that you
can spare mef' asked Alison, anxiousy.
Quite sure was Missiles answer, and
then Alison consented to leave her. She
was conscious that her strength was fail
ing her a little; the close confinement and
anxiety for the last fortnight were trying
| to her constitution; broken rest at night
often followed the long days work. She
| 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 amanuensis,
and, in spite of her efforts to be cheerful
she was feeling dull and deserted.
(To be continued.)