The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-07-08
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER NvIII.-1continued. J

fattery and playful words Of advice to be
independent and assert herself.
A veil had fallen from her eyes; she
no longer saw Eva's conduct in the same
fight. and as she grew better. and Eva
sought opportunities 10 be with her. the
dislllusion became more complete. Missile
found herself wondering over her own in
fatuation. Had Eva always been 50 loud
An her manners, 50 unflial in her behavior
TO her mother. so uRkind TO Anna2 Missile
at lrst grew critical aud then reproachful.
Strange 10 say. Eva accepted her rebukes
very meekly-evidently her affection for
Missile was sincere in its way. for she
took some pains to please her. and even
tried to break herself of her faults. But
for her unlucky engagement with Captain
Harper there was every probability that
Missile might have Influenced her for
good but her approaching marriage soon
drove all salutary reflection away.
As Missiles violent infatuation for her
friend cooled she turned more and more
30 Alison for sympathy; and here at least
she did not find herself disappointed-Ali-
son returned her affection warmly.
Missile was little exacting as an in
valid. for she was still separated from
cause TO be anxious for him
DR.. Greenwood never told Alison what
ne had feared but after a few days.
when he and another doctor had consult
ed together over the case. he told her
and Roger that there was certainly some
degree of mischief in connection with the
spine: it would be many months-per-
haps a year or two-before he could
rise from his couch
I'VE certainly hope for his complete
recovery in the future" he continued, re-
assuringly. as Alison turned pale and
Roger looked unhappy Another inch
and he would never have moved his limbs
again: but now things are not so bad
Mr.. Merle viii have his books. and they
will go far to console him in his enforced
lnaction."
DIR. Greenwood was right in his con-
lecture; Mr.. Merle took the tidings very
quietly.
Il told you your broad shoulders were
made for something" he said. looking at
his son with a smile He and Alison had
come to bid him goodnight
The nurse had not been dismissed. /
enough it was already arranged that /
Roger should take her place in his faith
er's dressing room
Il shall have to leave the mill in your
hands Greenwood gives me no hope Of
being it for business for the next year
or two"
Il will do everything 1 can, father"
returned Roger. sorrowfully; but feel
awfully cut up about it all
There is no need for that, my boy"
returned Mr.. Merle Il should not won
der If YOU do better at business than l,
Roger. Perhaps this will be less trial
20 me than you suppose. do not deny,
of course. that it is trial; but still,
with my books and children l shall try
TO be content"
I'VE shall do everything in our power
10 ease your mind" returned Roger.
bravely. But he said no more, and short
" afterward left the room. leaving his
father and Alison together
~Roger feels this dreadfully," she said,
.nxions that her father should not mis-
understand his sons lack Of words
ayes. nv dear. l know he does" re-
tnrned Mr.. Merle, with a sigh Il am
fortunate to have such son. To think,
he added. with emotion, that l could
ever have been 50 blind as to believe that
viIIain's innuendos against him-and now
che whole business is in his hands
ssYou can trust him fully, papa
asYee better than / can trust myself
Alison: that boy is true as steel, and
-v;lI not fail me. / wish l had found
A. ont before. remember your aunt
Diana once saying TO me that II l stud
la nv children as well as l did my
hooks / should be rewarded for my pains
Rv the bye. Alison, what does your aunt
aav 10 all this unlucky accidentF
ave have not heard from her.. re-
+urned Alison. In a low voice Roger
wrote the very next day after the acct
Ami and I wrote the next day but we
have had no reply" ,
.a,rhat is very unlike Diana" observed
Mr. Merle. in a surprised tone
Roger says that she can not have re- !
.e;ved our letters. papa; you see she is !
IN Switzerland. mad perhaps she has
seviated from the proposed route-that is
,n.t her way; il she takes fancy TO a
nIsce she will stay there for day or I
10 and then she does not get her letters /,
a. davs. II we do not hear from her :
,oon Roger thinks I had better write to
NJ Moore. 1t does seem so strange
I
Di should not know how unhappy we
have been" II
II believe you are fretting after her. d
Alison-you are quite thin and fragile 4
ooking." b
But Alison denied this with a great -
,eaI Of unnecessary energy. She was q
,nly a little tired: but now Mabel was Il
,etting better she would be able to have
| walk sometimes q
"But you must not talk any more, h
papa" she finished you are looking d
.ather exhausted. Nurse Meyrick will u
" here directly; may / read to you
title until she comes?" y
Mr.. Merle shook bis head sadly. il
my dear. should like It Of all things.
,ut you know DIR. Greenwood has for b
hidden any kind Of study for the next n
ew weeks, and never cared much for "
FORKS Of fiction, except Sir Walter Scott" d
II meant a chapter or two out Of the n
Bible before you went to sleep" re- n
urned Alison. bushing with timidity.
A sudden shadow passed over Mr.. r,