The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-02-26
Aiun< Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER XXII.-(Continued.)
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

"Oh, there is the river." exclaimed ALI
son, in a tone of ecstasy. Look, Roger !;
you can just catch a CLEAN through the
trees-oh. the dear place. How | do
love it, her voice rising into a perfect
crescendo, of which the top note was
complete satisfaction.
st is just a year since you have seen
It," observed Greville. Miss Alison,
what made you steal march on me in
that fashion: l was quite hurt that you
never gave me hint of your intention
OF going home"
He spoke in a low tone that Roger
could not hear.
The quick. sensitive color rushed into
Alison's face there was such implied re-
proach in Greville's voice. Had he really
been hurt?
ooh. you must not feel like that about
it." she returned, with a sweet, candid
look. I'VE had talked of the possibility,
Aunt Diana and |, but nothing had been
settled | had put it out of my mind.
l was so naughty, | could not bear the
idea of going home and doing my duty.
/ should never have gone at all If Aunt
Diana had not helped me-"
lou ulu hot UHiuk HOW SHoulu loCi
when / came back and found you gone
retorted Greville, in a boyish, injured
voice, that reached Roger and made him
smile, only Alison grew a little grave.
Il left message with your grand
father" she said, quietly. "What could
l do? Aunt Diana said it was my duty
to go, and that it was no good putting
ones hand to the pillow and looking back
ward What is the use of lettering over
difficult task when it has to be done"
THAT is true, but"
please don't talk of last summer"
she interrupted him. 'it makes me sad
only to think about it." And he could
see there were tears in her eyes as she
spoke Il made myself so miserable over
it; could not bear leaving Aunt Diana,
and | missed every one So
Miss Alison, please do not look sad
over it." said Grevile earnestly. "What
clumsy fellow | am! | have silenced
the nestful of twitterng young larks"-
referring to Rogers speech Come, l
know you will forgive me, and look chirpy
again. when l tell you l have passed
muster and come off with flying colors."
ooh, l am so glad ~ exclaimed Alison,
her smiles returning again. 'Then you
must have worked hard. How pleased
Mr.. Moore must be-"
ITO hear grandfather talk returned
Greville, calmly, you would think l was
the Admiral Crichton, at least. The dear
old man makes no end of fuss, bless him
j tell him it is all your doing; you gave
me such a terrible lecture that Wednes-
day."
''Oh, no. replied Alison, blushing cit
was your own good sense"
Il shall so in for Greats next year,
30 l shall have to grind pretty hard. l
am to have a coach down here this sum-
mer. Cheyne of Balliol, is at The Crays
with his people, and he is a rare fellow
for that | have to work all my morn
ings," he continued, rather dolorously,
"but l shall have my afternoons and
evenings free. Miss Alison, you are not
listening to me-"
"Oh. yes l ann she cried, joyously,
'but l can not bear any more just now,
though | am very glad to hear it all.
Roger. do look There is Moss-side-
you know you have forgotten it-and
there is Aunt Di in the porch"
allie. you have eyes like hawk. l
see nothing but greenery and sunshine"
Nevertheless, Roger did perceive,
moment afterward, tall figure in myr-
tle-green standing under a trellis of roses
Miss Darlington had evidently heard
the wheels of the dog cart, and had come
out to look. When they stopped she had
the little gate open and was helping Ali
son to alight.
How are you, my dear child?" she
said, as Alison put her arms around her ;
actually not tired, Allie! And you.
Roger? Welcome to Moss-side my boy ~
Aren't you going to welcome me, too,
Miss Carrington" asked Greville half
jokingly. but he looked a little wistfully
at the group.
mo. not tonight" she returned. de-
cidedly. Il must have my belongings to
myself for this one evening; you may
come in to breakfast. if you like"
And, knowing of old that Miss Car
rington's decisions allowed of no appeal.
Greville lifted his hat and wished them
good evening, and turned his mares head
in the direction of the Fernleigh stables,
not without backward glance at the
slim, dark-eyed girl looking affectionately
in Miss Carrington's face.
Nov, Allie, go to your old room and
get rid of the dust, while show Roger
upstairs" observed Aunt Diana, in a
brisk voice. You will find me in the
studio when you are ready"
CHAPTER XIII.
Her old room. Alison gave hannv
little sigh as she trod on the threshold
What a green little bower it looked. and.
oh, the roses roses in the quaint old
china bowls that Aunt Diana so much
affected; roses in the slender Venetian
glasses on the mantelpiece and toilet ia
BILE: roses clambering into the window
and pressing their pink faces against the
swinging lattice; and ON the window
sill. dropped by some thoughtful hand. a
glorious Gloire de Dion, with a hack
ground of maidenhair fern, such az All.
. son loved to wear in her white gown
She stood for a moment looking ont
thoughtfully. The long shady lawns Of
Moss-side and Fernleigh lay beneath her
and through the fresh foliage of the will
lows and acacias was the silvery CLEAN