Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-07-09
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
Miss Darlington took a great deal of
notice of Roger, and sought every oppor-
tunity to be with him; she had a great
respect for his character, which, she said,
was a most uncommon one.
"Roger differs from the young men of
his generation" she said once to Alison !;
"he cares little for other peoples opin-
ions, unless he knows them to be in the
right-mere criticism does not influence
him In the least"
She took a great interest in his work,
and made herself acquainted with the
details Of the business. Roger wondered
little at the quiet pertinacity with which
she questioned him; she even followed
him to the mill, and sat in the timber
yard watching the men at work.
After a few conversations with Roger
she spoke very seriously to her brother
in-law she told him Roger was very
young for such a responsibility. He Is
a good lad, and would wear himself out
In your service, Ainslie, and that without
q word of complaint, but he looks too
old and careworn for his age; you must
remember he Is only two-and-twenty yet
he must have his play time, like other
lads"
"But how am l to help him, Di211@= ?"
asked Mr.. Merle, fretfully. 1T is not my
fault that am lying here like a log.
The boy must work, or what would be-
come of us all?"
"My dear Ainslie, you misunderstood
me-" she replied, gently. "of course Roger
must work, but surely he needs help for
so large a business. Have you put no
one In your last managers place"
"No, not yet" he returned, evidently
struck by her practical good sense. "Rog-
er never proposed 1t, and l was too in
dolent to think about 1t; but there is
Murdoch, Scotchman-he has been with
us a long time, and he is an honest fell
low. dare say he would be glad of
rise In his salary; he has large young
family. will ask Roger what he thinks
of putting Murdoch in the managers
place. | think he would watch over our
interests"
81 wish you would do So" she returned
earnestly; Roger is rather too hard
worked for his age. He tells me he has
no time for cricket or tennis, or for skat-
ing in winter. IL have set my heart,
Ainslie, on his bringing Alison for long
visit to Moss-side in the spring. You
will be better by that time, and If you
have a manager Roger will be able to en-
10y a holiday he tells me he has not left
Chesterton for two years"
II am afraid l have been very remiss
and neglected his interests" returned Mr.
Merle, rather sadly. you shall have
your wish, Diana 1 will manage to spare
Roger for month"
"Come, now, that Is generous Of you,"
she replied, brightly; II shall owe you a
good turn for that. Surprising / promise
to come and spend my Christmas and
New Year with you; shall you care to
have met"
'Try me-" was his only reply. But he
said it with one of his rare smiles, and
Miss Darlington felt she would be well
come.
The prospect Of having Aunt Diana
for Christmas, and still more the promise
of long visit to Moss-side in the spring,
went far to reconcile Allison to the part
ing when the day came for Miss Caring
ton to leave them, but when the last hour
arrived Alison's heart failed her a little.
"You must not LOOK so pale over it,
Allie" Miss Darlington said to her anx-
iously; ''you know If had the power l
would willingly take you back with me-"
Eyes, but could not leave papa lying
there. There can be no question now
about my duty; 1t is comfort to know
that"
"Yes, dearest, your place must be here
little longer they could not spare you
to me yet. Do you know, I sometimes
doubt whether the old days will ever
come back"
"oh, Aunt Din Do you mean 1 shall
never be able to i've with you again?"
asked Alison, in AMI alarmed voice.
Miss Darlington looked at her In a
strangely moved way\
Il do not think ydp win live at The
Holns always; MissiN win replace you
by and by. I am quitf sure we shall be
together, even If it be not in the old way.
Don't look so perplexedA Allie, darling
In this life, with its manifold changes and
chances, things are seldOr quite the
same"
you and viii never beNdifferent-I
am convinced of that" exclaimed Alison
not In the least understanding Me drift
Of Aunt Diana's strange speec6A -
Aunt Di, how delicious the spri
bel To think that we shall be.
on the river again to Long
hunt for forgetlRe-nots, and tia
hear the enck Aspy Woc
J shall be slit hs ptp