The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-02-11

returned Miss Leigh, leaning bach wear.
lily in the armchair. Sometimes she
comes in TO interfere with Poppis and lind
fault with some of my arrangements. But
she has coaxed your father into giving
her French and singing lessons with her
friends, the Hardwicks. and for months
she has refused to open even a history !;
and yet you have no idea how ignorant
she is. Nothing but mischief has result
ed from her intimacy with Eva Hard
wick. have spoken to your father over
and over again about it, but he listens to
Mabels version of her friends character,
and only the other day he told me | must
be mistaken, for Eva was a bright, high
spirited girl, and it was all nonsense what
Mr.. Roger and l said about her"
Roger dislikes her, then 2"
"Oh, yes he never speaks to her il
he can help it. She is a fne-looking girl :
older than Mabel, but vain and empty
headed, thinking of nothing but balls and
hirtations; and you know how dangerous
friend of that sort is to a girl of Ma
bells age. To do Mabel justice, she was
not half SO vain and fond of dress and
fnery until she went so much to the
Hardwicks. They have completely turn
ed her head, and, worst of all, Eva has
taken a dislike to Roger because he re-
fuses to pay her any attention and laughs
at all their nonsense and that sets Ma
bel against her brother. Mabel always
had temper of her own" went on Miss
Leigh, feeling a sort of relief in pouring
out her feelings into Alison's ear, "but
she was never so aggravating as she is
now. You see, my dear, if girl does not
hold her own home as sacred, if she
chooses giddy young companion for her
confdante, and retails to her all that
passes in her own household. finding fault
with her own people, and listening to her
friends estimate of them, she may end
as Mabel does, in thinking her brothers
rough and unmannerly, and Poppie a dis
agreeable little girl"
do you mean Missile is SO dishonora-
bic as to repeat to Miss Hardwick all
that passes at The Holms?'' asked Ali
son, Indignantly.
They do not think it dishonorable,"
returned Miss Leigh, with quiet good
sense which Alison had never credited
her. .You see, Mabel calls Eva her
secrets from her If Eva comes this af-
ternoon, all that passed at the luncheon
table between your father and Mr.. Roger
will be retailed, as a matter of course.
Even il Mabel were disposed to be
reticent for once, Eva, who is of an in
quisitiye nature, and who completely
dominates her, would soon worm the
whole thing from her. She has a grudge
against Mr. Roger, and nothing would
please her more than to hear of this hui
initiation. | have reason to know, Ali
son, that it is by Eva's advice that Mabel
intends to keep your room. / have heard
her say myself that, of course, as your
home is with Miss Darlington, you have
resigned your privilege here as the eldest
daughter, and that there is no need for
Mabel to knock under completely. Those
were her very words"
Alison looked grave. is Miss Hard
wick often here?" she asked at last.
They are together every day, either
here or at Broadlands-the Hardwicks'
house. But as your father objects to
strangers, or, indeed, to visitors of any
kind, Eva very rarely spends the evenings
here. They were practicing in the draw
ing room this morning, and afterward
they went out together. There is anoth-
er sister, Anna, a nice little thing, rather
pale and delicate looking, but they both
snub her. | suppose that makes Mr.. Rog-
er kind to her when she comes, for her
sister certainly sights her, and Mr.. Roger
always stands up for every one but him
self"
1T seems odd, my saying all this to
you, Alison" observed Miss Leigh, after
A pause; for you are young yourself;
out you were never Eighty and easily
ed, as Mabel is. l believe she has her
rood points; she is really very much at
ached to your father, and will leave Eva
sometimes, if he wants her, and in her
,wn way she is fond of Poppie, though |
The tyrannizes over her. There Poppie |
s crying as usual; that is generally the |
nd when she is long with Mabel. l sup |
Jose, by that. your father has gone back
o the mill. I had better go to her, Ali
on, if you will excuse me-
Alison had plenty of food for medita- |
ion when she was left alone a very /
Iifficult problem was before her to solve.
How was she to gain an influence over
Ter faulty young sister?
Ito be continued