The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-06-25

Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family

. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

told her that she would never have SIN
ned 80 grievously against her father If Eva
had not undermined her principles by her
hattery and playful words of advice to be
Independent and assert herself.
A veil had fallen from her eyes; she
no logger saw Eva's conduct in the same
light, and as she grew better, and Eva
sought opportunities to be with her, the
disillusion became more complete. Missile
found herself wondering over her own in
fatuation. Had Eva always been so loud
In her manners, SO unflial in her behavior
to her mother, so unkind to Anna? Missile
1t first grew critical and then reproachful.
Strange to 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
to Alison for sympathy and here at least
she did not find herself isappointed-Ali-
son returned her affection warmly.
Missile was little exacting as an in
valid, for she was still separated from
her father, and, alas there was still
cause to be anxious for him.
DR.. Greenwood never told Alison what
he 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; 1t would be many months-per-
haps a year or two-before he could
rise from his couch.
1--WE 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 will have his books, and they
will 40 far to console him in his enforced
inaction."
DR.. Greenwood was right in his con-
lecture; Mr.. Merle took the tidings very
quietly.
IT 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,
though 1t was already arranged that
Roger should take her place in his faith
sr's dressing room.
II shall have to leave the mill in your
hands. Greenwood gives me NO hope of
being fit for business for the next year
or two"
II will do everything l can, father"
returned Roger, sorrowfully; "but l feel
awfully cut up about 1t ALL"
There is no need for that, my boy"
returned Mr.. Merle. II should not Won
der If you do better at business than 1,
Roger. Perhaps this will be less a trial
to me than you suppose. do not deny,
Of course, that It is a trial; but still,
with my books and children l shall try
to be content"
1--WE shall do everything in our power
to ease your mind" returned Roger,
bravely. But he said no more, and short
ly afterward left the room, leaving his
father and Alison together.
Roger feels this dreadfully," she said,
understand his sons lack Of words.
Eyes, my dear, know he does" re-
turned Mr.. Merle, with a sigh. Il am
fortunate to have such a son. To think,
he added, with emotion, "that l could
ever have been so blind as to believe that
villains innuendos against him-and now
tho whole business is in his hands"
"You can trust him fully, papa"
eyes, better than l can trust myself
Alison; that boy Is true as steel, and
will not fail me. I wish l had found
II out before. l remember your aunt
Diana once saying to me that 1T l stud
lad nv children as we'll as l did my
books should be rewarded for my pains.
BY the bye, Alison, what does your aunt
.ay to ali this unlucky accident?"
awe have not heard from her." re
turned Alison, In low voice. Roger
wrote the very next day after the acct
dent, and I wrote the next day; but w
have had no reply"
.sThat Is very unlike DIANA" observed
Mr.. Merle, in a surprised tone.
"Roger says that she can not have re
ceived our letters, papa; you see she Il
IN Switzerland, mad perhaps she hai
dsyiated from the proposed route-that 4
lust her way; If she takes a fancy to I
Mace she will stay there for day O
two. and then she does not get her letter
for days. If We do not hear from he
soon, Roger thinks had better write t.
Mr.. Moore. 1t does seem % STRANGE
her eyes filing with tears-"that Aun
Di should not know how unhappy W
have BEEN"
IT believe you are fretting after her
Alison-you are quite thin and fragil
looking"
But Alison denied this with q rrea
deal Of unnecessary energy. She wa
only a little tired; but now Mabel wa
getting better she would be able to hav
Q walk sometimes.
"But you must not talk any more
papa" she finished; you are lookin
rather exhausted. Nurse Meyrick vii
b here directly; may read to you
little until she comesT
Mr.. Merle shook his head sadly.
my dear, should like it Of all thing
but you know DR.. Greenwood has fol
hidden any kind of study for the mex
few weeks, and never cared much 70
works Of fiction, except Sir Walter Scott.