Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-04-23
CHAPTER ".


me - was a sad leave-taking, and
Jana. we're in Alison's eyes long after
Pc 'e@ .in steamed slowly into the Ohes-
.,on station. Alison gatnereu up ner
"rons articles of travelling gear and
nad ont with some eagerness, but Rog-
.an foure was nowhere in sight, and,
- disappointed and perplexed, she
uVD nor.ter instructions about her trav-
linz boxes. ~, g.,
nv Evil you fetch me cab pieaseF raj
y Alison. feeling ready to cry again
~. loneliness. and wondering at Rog-
,ntind desertion, and then all at
sbo encountered a pair of round blue
yorv wide open. She started; yes, |
s0 was the wide mouth, the droll, |
s,k,od face that she remembered so |
.on, of course it was Rudel, grown, but
~ otherwise altered, grinning afably at
"Wbv Rudel," she exclaimed, reproach-
,,ur "wby did you not speak to me?
no.. looking for Roger, and nearly passed
you BY"
-,od fine" he returned, with another
srr shaking hands with her, but refrain
b., from any warmer fraternal greeting.
AZ soon as she was seated in the cab
). ont in after her, and proceeded to put
down both windows. "You would not like
ma TO 90 outside, l suppose" he said, in
cood-mmored, dawdlng voice; these
o,bs are so stuffy they make fellow
feel queer
500 outside if you like" returned Ali
sor willing to humor him, but rather dis
hrbed at the boys GOODNESS.
"Oh it does not matter" was the con-
Trajectory response; 1--WE have not far
tn 20, and cabby is SO unusually stout
tbsre would not be room for Otter. Oh,
nv the bye, Roger told me to tell you
that father told him that somebody else
must come to the station, as he could not
be spared Roger was awfully put about,
for be said should be no help, and l
have not been much. eh?" with another
grin that threatened to became laugh.
~ wish dear old Roger could have
come, but | am glad to see you, too," was
Alisons police reply. 81 thought you
would have kissed me after two years Of
absence"
"Oh, never kiss girls" reddening Wis
lby.
mot your own sistersY exclaimed
Alison. in a grieved voice. "Oh, Rudel,
yOu used not to be so stiff and unkind."
~ amt, one or the other" rousing up
At this reproach. 81 think it is frst-rate
your coming, mean-and you are no
end Of brick to do it, and" with a
sudden burst Of confidence, II shouldn't
mind giving you a kiss now and then,
when you wanted it particularly, If you
would promise not to tell Missile; would
not give her one-no, not If she were to
ask me on her Bonded knees-a stuck-ul
little mink -
"0h, Rudel, for shame! Mabel is as
much your sister as l am"
"No she isn't, and never shall be-
growled the lad. IL tell you what, Ali
son, you are an out-and-outer, and nc
mistake, and will help you fight all YOU
battles, that | will. as sure as my nam,
d Rudel. and that is better than ever sC
many Kisses"
"Dear Rudel, l am sure you NEAR
kindly, though you have such a funn!
way of showing it; but l have no wisl
to fight any one"
"0h. but you will be obliged to fgh
Missile, whether you wish for 1t or not,
was the cool rejoinder; but Alison wa
spared any further argument on this sub
ject as they had reached The Holms, AM
IN another moment were driving up tn
SFaveed sweep between rows Of dust,
sVergreens.
The Helms was a singularly built house
A square, stone hall, uncarpeted an
chilly looking, led to the kitchen and 9th
ed domestic Offices. all on a large seal
and unusually roomy; a wide fight Q
stone steps, differing from the mOder
staircase by being also uncovered, led
the sitting rooms dining room, DRAWN
room. school room, and study, all opeE
ing On to narrow corridor. fitted froI
snd to end with bOOks-books literalJ
lining 1t from floor to ceiling.
AS Alison YEARLY assembled the step
thin ladylike woman in a black gown
with a depressed. gentle face, came
TIE head of the staircase.
am 50 glad to see you. my dear.
me said. kissing her affectionately. "Wh!
DO believe you are grown, Alison: 20
are taller than | expected to see you, bu
you are looking pale"
oh. that Is nothing" returned AL
son. hastily. 81 am tired with the jou
ney'" For just then she did not wish be
looks to be too keenly criticised. "Whel
are the others, Miss Leigh-father, Nab
and Poppie?"
am so sorry, Alison, that l am Il
only one to greet your Homecoming. N,
Uei and POppie are out: they had q
invitation TO an afternoon party at IL
6rownlow's; It is little Stacy's birthda
wanted Mabel to stay at home and /
Foppie go without her, but she wou
not hear of it."
Never mind, returned Alison, quietly
Dut she was conscious of a hurt, chill,
,eelng as Miss Leigh brought out tn
Mhe excuse. This was her return hon
aner two years absence, and yet Rog
Vouln not be spared to meet her at Il
0a'lon. and Mabel could not give up {
s''erhoons amusement to welcome her 81
%' Her father was busy as usual: pro
S s1ly he had forgotten her existence
=. GU are very tired, my DEAR" co
Inu~u Miss Leigh, disturbed at the you
gu sudden gravity and paleness. "Sh'
'ake you to your room. and send y
NJ ~ cup of tear daresay you wou
"A g.. 10 be quiet a little"
q