The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-05-21
CHAPTER XII.


cup OF joy seemed overlooking.
CHAPTER XII.
THANK you, Mabel DEAR for what YOU
have said to Anna" said Alison, grateful
y, as they left the grounds of Maplewood
"Oh, of course, l gave Eva a piece Of
my mind. She is always so reasonabl.
and sweet-tempered that never have any
difficulty. Anna may come to The Holms
as often as she likes" Then, with g
perceptible effort to seem at her ease, she
continued hurriedly: Eva is going tc
bring her cousin to afternoon tea to-mor.
row. l hope it will be fine, and then We
can set the table under the lime trees
our drawing room is such an ugly room. ;
DO you mean Captain Harper is com.
ing?" returned Alison. "Oh, Mabel how
could you ask him? am sure papa will
not be pleased. 1 do not like him at all
his manners are so artificial and dis
agreeable"
1T is pity you did not stop at River
ston," she returned, in an injured voice
for none of our Chesterton folk, with
the exception of that stupid Anna, seem
good enough for you. 1 think Captain
Harper charming, and 1 am sure papa
will be pleased with him unless you set
him against the poor fellow" And here
Missile looked decidedly cross.
"You may be sure that shall say moth
ing to papa" replied Alison, with 80 much
dignity that Missile was silenced. But
she was terribly annoyed all the same, and
took Roger into her confidence, exacting
from him promise that he would be pres
ent at all risks.
Perhaps l am wrong" she remarked,
candidly; II am always 50 ready with my
likes and dislikes. But I can not bear
Captain Harper, and it is odious to nae
to pour out his tea for him"
Alison's anxiety was soon set at rest
The party from Maplewood, including
Anna, had not long been gathered under
the lime trees before Mr.. Merle made his
appearance, greatly to her delight and
Missiles discontinue. Alison never found
out If Roger had betrayed her trust and
given his father warning Of the expected
guest. But there was no installing the
GOODNESS Of his manner to Captain Har-
per. That unlucky individual was clearly
not at his ease, and certainly no induce
ment was held out to him to repeat his
visit.
As soon a. the unwelcome visitor had
departed Mr.. Merle expressed himself al
much displeased to find Captain Harpe,
there; indeed, his severity quite over.
whelmed Missile, and she retired in food,
Of tears.
Papa is never angry with me-" She
sobbed; this must be your fault, Alison
You have come home to stir I'D strife and
turn papa against me-"
Don't be absurd, Mabel" returned All
son, a little Grossly: "you have brought II
all on yourself. Papa seems angry with
me, too, and yet you know I am not Al
all In fault. If you do wrong you mus
bear to be scolded. Papa says he II
quite shocked at our forwardness. You
see, he blames me, too. He says no on,
but himself or Roger ought to invite gen
tlemen to the house, and Miss Leigh say.
the same. He told me after you left tn,
room that he would take care that CAP
tain Harper should not repeat his visit
as he was not the sort Of man whose &C
quaintance he could approve for hi,
daughters"
Missile dissolved into fresh tears OF
hearing this. II am sure it Is not papa,
real opinion" she persisted In saying
Roger had put him up to 1t to spite he,
and Eva. What would Eva say If sh.
were forbidden to bring her cousin t.
The Holms7 She wished Alison would
60 back to Aunt Diana, and not stor
here to make her 50 wretohsd. She die
not see the use Of having a sister who
hated and thwarted her.
"Oh, you silly child" exclaimed ALI
son, kissing the wet, ill-tempered littl,
face that still looked 20 pretty. what .
storm In q teacupl don't hate you 9
bit. am very fond Of you, though you
will quarrel with me about every trifs
but It takes two to quarrel properly, ant
do not mean to take up the cudgels t.
please youi" And here she gave he,
4 playful shake, that 20 astonished Mis-
de that she speedily grew more amiabls
for her temper had never been 20 sci
aside before.
Roger had been looking very worried
and careworn for some days, and Allison
was afraid, from her fathers grave fac,
and silence with his son, that things hat
gone wrong again at the mill, and that
Ms usual, the blame had been laid or
Roger. She was waiting for an opportu
nifty to speak to him, for his engagement,
had taken him out several nights, wher
one evening she met him as she was re
turning from the town.
BE was walking along rather moodily
with his eyes fixed on the ground, ant
did not see Alison until she called hin
by mare; and then he looked up and hi.
face frightened In a moment.
Where have you been, Allie?" he ask
ed. smiling at her; and Rogers smile wa,
very pleasant. 1.-THE house felt dull with
on. you, so l came out for q SOLITARY