The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-02-12
well. I think he sent his love, too


in fact, he sent great many messages
but told him l could not be carrier OF
nonsense, and should only deliver one
That he had kept his promise, and had
been working famously.'"
"Oh, 1 am 80 glad" returned Alison,
Frightening at this. Aunt Dit was
not good of you to keep Mr.. Moore's ill
ness from me / should have liked to
have shared your anxiety. Dear old man,
1 am so thankful he is spared
His character seemed lovelier than
ever in his hours of suffering" observed
Miss Darlington, thoughtfully; "he was
so patient, so grateful to us all for our
care of him. l understood then what
being like little child meant-it seemed
as though it were we who were blind, not
he-he seemed SO stepped in the light OF
heaven"
"Do you think he wanted to die?" ask
ed Alison, in an awestruck voice. How
strange it seems that he should be SO
willing to co.
"Why not?' replied her aunt. death
has no terrors for him. Why should he
| fear the summons from the Master whom
he loved and tried to serve here, and who
died on the cross for his redemption! And
yet he was resigned to stay, for Gre
ville's sake. The lad wants me a little
longer he said once. We'll, l suppose
1 can spare my boy a year or two out OF
eternity; l mean to have no will OF my
own about it. When the Master calls l
shall be ready, but perhaps-for who
knows His graciousness He may be
thinking of my boy, too"
"How l should love to see him again -
exclaimed Alison with sigh.
80 you will by and by, hope. He
missed you dreadfully, Alison"
And you, Aunt DIP"
II am not going to tell you about that"
Then, as Alson's eyes looked pleading,
she continued earnestly: "Child, l believe
we are sort of necessity to each other
at least, l find my life will not shape
itself properly without you. am always
| thinking how Allie will like this or that.
Your absence quite took away the pleas
ure of my trip. You naughty child, you
| look delighted; but there comes my tea
please pour me a cup, and then tell me
all about your poor father"
Alison was soon narrating the story
of the last fortnight. Miss Darlington
had received hers and Rogers letters late
the previous night, and Mr. Moore's had
put her in possession of the latest news :;
still there was much that she wished to
hear She listened attentively, and with
out interruption, as the girl poured out
the history of her hopes and fears. Her
grave, interested face, and now and then
frightened grasp of Alison's hand, spoke
in mute sympathy, but otherwise she said
little.
sit has been a dreadful time" finished
Alison. Roger and l were so afraid of
papa, and then Missile was so unhappy
and ill. That is Rogers whistle, Aunt
Di-he is wondering what has become of
me. Shall I call him in?" And Miss
Darlington nodded.
Rogers look Of intense surprise amused
them excessively, but he welcomed his
aunt with evident satisfaction.
"Now Allie will be all right again."
he observed, with a smile at her; ''she
has been sick for months, Aunt Diana.
You are not going to take her away from
us just at present, are you?"
mo, not just now," returned Miss
Darlington, quietly. Il am going to stop
until you are tired of me, and then Allie
and l must say good-by to each other for
a little longer. What should you say to
bringing her for a few weeks in the
spring, if your father gets better? You
look in want of a change, Roger they
are working you too hard, my boy"
"You must not tempt me, Aunt Diana"
he returned, rather gravely. 'There will
be no holiday for me next year. The
whole concern rests on my shoulders at
present, and our manager is defaulter.
Alison shall go with you, and welcome"
"Well, well, we must see about it !;
winter comes before spring. There is
plenty of time, and I don't mean to give
up my plan of having you and Allie to-
gether. Now l must see your father !;
will you take me to him?" And Roger
consented with alacrity.
In the passage she stopped and laid
her hand upon his arm.
THANK you for taking care of Allie !;
l know how good you have been to her."
1T is she who has been good to u.s." he
| returned, with a sudden flush. Aunt
Diana, you do not know the blessing she
| has been to us; we have to thank you
| for that Alison would never have been
the girl she is if you had not taken so
much pains with her."
Don't make me vain, Roger
''Missie and l have proposed buying
| her little red morocco book and pre-
! senting it to her." continued Roger, with
| dry humor; 1.-The title will be Aunt Di-
ana's Sayings for Allie brings out a
fresh one every day. Missile says she is
inventive, and coins them herself; but
have an idea that they are genuine
Miss Darlington shook her head at
| him, and only babe him lead the way
| to his fathers room. Alison had already
prepared him for his sister-in-law's visit,
and he held out his hand with a pleased
smile.
"This is kind, Diana. I said the ST.
lence was not like you; my poor girl
here has been fretting herself about it /;
but Of course you never got the letters"
| "No, indeed: Alison will tell you about
it presently. It is too late for me to
prolong my visit now. Invalids should
be quiet at this hour. You see / under
stand all about it, Ainslie but am griev-