Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-04-23
CHAPTER v.

A cup of excellent tea was very restora-
tive in its effects, and when Alison had
freshened her tired face with cold water,
and brushed her disheveled locks, and
exchanged her travelling dress for light,
cool-looking, zephyr cloth costume, she
felt less reluctance to present herself to
the critical eyes of her father and Mabel
''May l come in?" questioned a voice
that she knew at once was Rogers, and
in a moment she had sprung joyfully to
the door.
"Oh, Roger, you dear old fellow, am
so glad to see Tou again J" she exclaim-
ed, forgetting all her troubles in the sight
of his familiar face. Evidently her pleas
ure was reciprocated; a pair of strong
arms almost lifted her off her feet, and
bore her across the room toward the win
dow, and, after a hasty kiss or two, Rog-
err put his hand under her chin and grave
" inspected her.
81 suppose you are glad to see me-" he
observed at length, ''as you have been
crying evidently at the pleasurabie anti
cipation. So you are sorry to come home.
Alison, Ell? and yet"-rather reproach-
fully-"you are wanted very badly here"
Alison's only answer was to lay her
face down on his arm; this was little
too much for her faded spirits, a few
more tears would come. Roger had found
ner out, as she knew he would.
"Come now, this won't do, Allie" he
said, with a sort Of soothing roughness
I'VE shall pack yOu back again to Aunt
Diana, If you are going to fret. ! looked
for rather a different greeting after two
years. absence"
81 can't help it." she said, trying to
dismiss her tears: II am tired, and ev.
erything seems strange tonight, and l
do miss Aunt Diana"
Eyes, she has spoiled you for us; you
have grown a dainty little lady, Allie"
"Oh, no: am not spoiled In that
way" she interrupted him breathlessiy.
"You can not quite understand, Roger
| but there Is such a mixed feeling. l
have wanted you all these tive years: you
have never been out Of my mind a single
day"
swell, I am glad to have you back ia
acold YOU properly. What color are your
ewes generally, Alison? They are aa
pink as an Albino's tonight"
at Is my turn to look at you" she
returned, trying to pluck up a little
shirt. "Why, you have grown mus
! tnche. Roger. How well 1t suits you ~
but Roger only broke into a merry laugh
"Did you ever see such a handsome
fellow? Really, Rudel and are marvel
ous specimens of manly beauty. He beats
me in freckles, though, ha, ha !? Ane
| Roger quite rocked himself in merriment
81 like the look of you very much.
returned Alison. "Your hair Is itti'
rough-and, oh your boots are muddy
You have wanted me to keep you IL
order"
al don't seem to match you. somehow,
he observed. "Do you always LOOK Al
though you were just turned out OF
handbook? / wish you would take Missi'
and Poppie in hand; they drive MIS-
I,eigh crazy with their untidiness. On
we are a happy family, Allie-nothln'
hut billing and cooling, and that soft o
thing going on from morning to nisht
Won might take Rudel and Missile for
connie of love birds, the sweet youn'
creatures are so fond of each other AM
as for Poppie and Missie-iooK, 'here !
specimen of the home music ou'ce
strains floating up the staircase 1ner
goes Missile"
Alison's brow knitted with some per
plexity as she listened. "Flora' VIII y0
90 into your own room? / insist on IT
Won are not fit to be seen in that tor
froct in a sharp. girlish voice.
~U-bat does il matter2 She won
mind" in a shrill. childish treble; 20
are 40 crosa Mabel Do let me CONS
with you and see Alison