Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-03-12
CHAPTER w

-~A iotANA W Dt a man OIL Strong
passions; she dreaded the effects of his
dlspleasure on Mabel. His severity would
De tempered with justice, but still the
weight of his anger would be crushing
Alison's tender heart was full of COM
Function and pity for poor Missile.
Toward evening she seated herself un.
DER the lime trees within view of the
gate Poppie had come home from her
walk and was playing about the lawn.
NO" ana then Poppie claimed her atten-
tion' line time passed unheeded. and she
woke up with start to the conviction
that 1t was nearly eight, and the early
autumn twilight was creeping over the
garden.
30 iate, and they had not arrived. ana
what could have become of Roper7 She
called to Poppie hurriedly to run into
the house, as it was bedtime and bar
supper was waiting in the school room
ana the little girl had hardly left her
oelore the latch of the gate was raised
ana In another moment Roger came ran.
idly toward her.
He looked heated, as though he had
been walking fast, but it was white
neat ana 1t struck Alison suddenly that
ne was i'll, or that he had heard some
thing.
Don't be frightened, Allie" he said.
IN quick, nervous voice, that certainly
dld not reassure her, neither did the
touch OF his cold, damp hand. 'I have
come first to prepare you; be as brave
as. you can. for your help is wanted"
Something dreadful has happenod
Oh, Roger, be quick"
Il have no time to tell Won much be
returned, still more hurriedly. "They
came back by train-oh, why did he not
send me?-there was an accident. I was
down at the station and saw them come
in. They are both hurt at least. I am
afraid Missile is, only she will not say so.
but father is the worst"
"Oh, Roger !" and Alison's figure sway
ed for moment on his arm until he
made her sit down, for the sudden shock
had turned her lips white. She could
not say more at that moment
I'VE do not know yet," he half whis-
pered; there are two doctors with him.
and they are bringing him home. He
had blow, and was insensible, but they
can not tell yet there Is no wound.
There, hear them coming, Allie; pull
ourselves together; we must not think of
anything but him."
mo, no." and she gave a quick gulp,
and the color came back to her lips. The
sparrows were twittering sleepily in the
| icy. "And one of them shall not fall
on the ground without your Father"
seemed to come into her mind, like the
sudden flash of a sunbeam out of a pass.
ing cloud. He was in the Divine hands
she must remember that. AS Roger went
down to open the gates she compelled
herself to return to the house.
Sarah, there has been an accident, ~
she heard herself say, only her voice did
not seem to belong to her. "Send Eliza
to the school room, to keep Miss Poppie
out of the way, and you and Nanny be
in readiness for what is wanted. Hot
water-I suppose they will want that
and l don't know what besides" And
here her voice suddenly failed, for wheels
were evidently coming up the graveed
sweep. The next few minutes were sim
ply horrible to Alison. The two doctors
and Roger, and some man from the rail
way, were all helping in removing her
fathers inanimate figure from the vehicle
Alison recognized the family practitioner
DIR. Greenwood, but the other was a
stranger. There was nothing to do; her
fathers room was in readiness, and Roger
was there to show them the way. She
could only lean against the wall as they
passed with fleeting consciousness that
her fathers eyes were still closed, and
that there was something terrible in the
inert, heavy droop of the limbs. very
gently" she heard DR.. Greenwood say.
''Yes. l know the room :, that is the door,
Cameron" And then it closed after them,
and she felt some one grip her arm.
Help me upstairs, Alison" said Mis-
sic, hoarsely. She had crept out Of the
fly unaided. and now stood by Alison's
side in the dark hall. Alison had almost
forgotten her in that moments agony (;
but when Roger had said surely she was
not much hurt, yet there she was clinging
to her sister with white, stony face.
Lean on me, dear!'' exclaimed Alison.
passing her arm tenderly round her; but
to her alarm Misse uttered sharp cry
of pain.
"No, don't touch me, not that side; l
will hold your arm. / want to be in my
own room If can only get there" And
leaning heavily on Alison's shoulder, she
toiled slowly up the staircase, her faint
ness and difficulty evidently increasing at
every step, but her strong will support
ing her until they reached the threshold,
and then she suddenly tottered, and if
Alison had not caught her in her arms,
she would have fallen. Alison dared not
call loudly for assistance, for they were
close to her fathers room; but she was
young and strong, and she just managed
to drag Missile to n chair and summon
one of the frightened servants, when
Missie revived.
"I am so bruised all over" she said,