The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-04-15
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 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
il your service, Ainslie, and that without
a 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, Diana 2"
asked Mr.. Merle, fretfully. 1T is not my
fault that l am lying here like a .og.
The boy must work, or what would be
come of US allf"
"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 placer"
mo, not yet" he returned, evidently
struck by her practical good sense. "Rog-
err never proposed it, and l was too in
dolent to think about it; but there is
Murdoch. a Seotchman-he has been with
us long time, and he is an honest fell
low. / dare say he would be glad of a
rise in his salary he has large young
family. l will ask Roger what he thinks
of putting Murdoch in the managers
place. think he would watch over our
interests"
Il 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-
Joy a holiday; he tells me he has not left |
Chesterton for two years.
Il am afraid l have been very remiss |
and neglected his interests, returned Mr..
Merle. rather sadly. You shall have
your wish. Diana will manage to spare
Roger for month
Come now, that is generous of you"
she replied, brightly; Il shall owe you
good turn for that. Surprising | promise
to come and spend my Christmas and |
New Year with you; shall you care to
have me?"
.Try me-" was his only reply. But be
said it with one of his rare smiles, and
Miss Darlington felt she would be vel
come.
The prospect of having Aunt Diana
for Christmas, and still more the promise
of a long visit to Moss-side in the spring
went far to reconcile Alison 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 |
would willingly take you back with me-
Yes, but l could not leave papa lying
there There can be no question now
about my duty; it is comfort to know
that"
Yes, dearest. your place must be here
4 little longer; they could not spare you
to me yet. Do you know. | sometimes
doubt whether the old days will ever
come back"
"Oh, Aunt Di! Do you mean | shall
never be able to live with you again?'
asked Alison, in an alarmed voice.
Miss Darlington looked at her in
strangely moved way.
Il do not think you viii live at The
Holn,s always; Missile will replace you
~ and by l am quite sure we shall be
ogether even if it be not in the old way.
Don't look so perplexed. Allie, darling
n this life, with its manifold changes and
,hances, things are seldom quite the
,ame."
You and | will never be different
I'm convinced of that" exclaimed Alison,
lot in the least understanding the drift
Il Aunt Diana's strange speech. "Oh,
AUNT Di. how delicious the spring will
iei To think that we shall be rowing
n the river again TO Long Island, to
unt for forget-me-nots. and that we shall
ear the cuckoo in Aspy Woods, and !
hall be sitting in the studio watching