Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-01-22

returned Alison. Your hair is a little
rough-and, oh your boots are muddy.
You have wanted me to keep you In
order"
Il don't seem to match you, somehow"
he observed. do you always look as
though you were just turned out Of a
bandbox? l wish you would take Missile
and Poppie in hand; they drive Miss
Leigh crazy with their untidiness oh,
we are a happy family, Allie-nothing
but billing and cooling, and that sort Of
thing going on from morning to night
You might take Rudel and Missile for
couple of love birds, the sweet young
creatures are so fond of each other, and
as for Poppie and Missie-look, there is
a specimen of the home music dulcet
strains floating up the staircase There
goes Missie."
Alisons brow knitted with some per-
| plexity as she listened. Flora will you
go into your own room? insist on it
you are not fit to be seen in that torn
frock," in a sharp, girlish voice.
What does it matter? She won't
mind" in shrill, childish treble you
/ olO oO NlOSS, hdDcl. lIO lCl luc COluc III
with you and see Alison"
mo, no; do as l tell you you shall
come in presently. There you have tram
pied on my dress and torn some of the
trimming, you horrid little thing l will
tell papa if you are so naughty, and
then he will not let you come down to
tea" Here an expressive roar on Pop
pies part interrupted the discussion. ALI
son, who could bear no more, moved
quickly to the door and opened 1t. A
pretty looking, fair-haired girl dressed
somewhat untidily and in bad style, with
rather a viXenish expression on her flush
ed face, was standing just outside Alison's
room, and behind her a somewhat plain
| little girl between eight and nine years Of
age, rather small in stature. and with a
droll, freckled face like Rudel's, only it
/ was just now puckered up with crying
a red, inhamed spot on one cheek was
evidently the result of a smart blow on
her sisters part in payment for the torn
trimming.
How do you do, Mabel" she said,
with a somewhat cold salute of Missiles
cheek. please do not prevent Poppie
coming to me. / could not help hearing,
you spoke so loud, and do not mind one
bit how she looks. Come here, Poppie,
dear" but the child, evidently shy and
upset by the late fracas, held back in an
embarrassed manner, until Missile gave
her a rough push. ''Why don't you 20
to Alison, you stupid little thing?" she
said GROSSLY, for she was put out at her
sisters sudden appearance on the scene.
Please do not force her to come to
me we shall be very good friends direct
| ly," returned Alison, sorry for the poor
child's awkwardness. Come with me,
Poppie dear; Roger is in my room, and 1
will show you the pretty new game I
have brought for you"
| The child's face frightened in a mo-
ment, and she moved instantly to take Ali
sons hand again Missie interposed.
"She must change her frock, Alison
tea is just ready, and l hear papa's step
in the garden. He will be very angry il
POppie looks rough or untidy and l can
not allow him to be vexed," pursuing up
| her lips with virtuous expression.
Alison controlled a quick retort with
some difficulty. She had fully expected
| to find Missile most aggravating little
person, or why should Miss Leigh COM
plain of her so bitterly? But the reality
was worse than she anticipated.
Never mind" she said, calmly; 1--WE
must not vex papa, must we, Poppie?
will help you change your frock, and per-
haps after all we may have time to look
at the fish ponds" And without another
| glance at Missie, Alison made Poppie
cheerfully lead the way, as she did not
know her room.
AS Alison, after dressing Poppie, came
down the staircase with the child still
clinging to her, Mr.. Merle suddenly made
his appearance from the study. He al
most started at the sight Of his daughter,
and an expression Of pain crossed his
handsome, careworn face. In the dim
light Alison recalled her mother too plain.
ly to his eyes.
"Oh, papa" she said, hurrying to him.
and putting up her fair young face to
his. He kissed her kindly, patted it, told
her that she had grown into woman
since he had seen her, and questioned her
with some interest about her journey.
The dining room, large, handsomely
furnished room, looked sufficiently cozy
as they entered it. Missile was in the
seat of honor; she gave little simper-
ing laugh as Alison entered with her faith
er. 81 suppose this will be your place
tomorrow" she said, for, as Alison re-
piled simply, II suppose SO, but l need
not disturb you tonight" vexed look
crossed Missiles face but as Rudel was
already grinning in hopes Of row she
prudently disappointed him.
When they rose from the table, Missiles
first words were a peremptory order for
Poppie to put away her toys and go to
bed. This led to feeble protest on Miss
Leigh's part.
ut is not so very late, Mabel, and Pop
pie has not seen her sister for two years.
think she might wait little longer"
II am not going; there now ~ observed
the child, defantly, quite oblivious of her