Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-04-02
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
r-----Ns6-.----7-.--e
CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued.l


Tor moment in the hall, debating wheth-
er she was too tired to seek Roger in the
timber yard, or whether she should in
duige in solitary musing under the lime
trees. A free half hour was a delicious
boon, and she must employ it to the best
advantage. She decided after a moment
that she was too dull for even Rogers
company to cheer her-for she was in one
OF those moods that the masculine mind
finds so difficult to Understandable she
was just taking down her garden hat from
the peg when figure came between her
and the evening light familiar voice
spoke her name, and the next moment Ali
son was in Aunt Diana's arms.
Miss CarringtOn's kisses were very
grave and tender. They spoke volumes.
but she seemed to have no words at the
moment. But Alison's "Oh, Aunt Di
was more than eloquent-the quiver of
her voice meant ecstasy. But the next
moment Miss Darlington put her at arms
length, and, still holding her, scrutinized
her face almost pitifully.
"Allie, my poor, dear child, what have
they done to you? Oh, dear, what thin
checks, what heavy eyes" And sud
denly closing her face between her hands,
she kissed her again and again. and Miss
Darlington was not demonstrative wom-
an-her caresses meant something out of
the common. They brought Alison's soft
color back, and the happy tears came into
her eyes.
81 am glad l did not tell YOU re-
turned, unsteadily;." II shall be quite well
and rested now | have seen your dear
face again. Oh, Aunt Di, how l have
wanted you" her voice sinking still
lower.
YES, / know" replied Miss Caring
ton, almost abruptly-all the more be-
cause her feelings were not so well un-
der control as psual. Allie, what must
you have thought of my silence? Come,
let us sit down somewhere where | can
talk to you without interruption. don't
want to see any other face but yours
for the present-not even Rogers"
II think my room will be best" re-
turned Alison hesitating a little. Miss
Leigh is in the drawing room and Rudel
in the dining room. and Roger generally
sits in the study when he comes in of an
evening Wait moment, Aunt Di,
please | must ask Sarah to make some
tea for you-supper will not be ready
for an hour Oh" smiling archly, Il
know YOUR taste-Aunt Di can not go
without her tea"
Miss Darlington offered no remon-
strance; perhaps she was in need of re-
freshment. She waited to see the cab
man deposit her luggage in the hall, and
then she followed Alison upstairs.
"NIy dear" she observed, looking round
her as she entered, this is not your old
room; | thought this was Missie's?'
yes but Missile had mine, and u did
not like to turn her QUIT would only
have caused unpleasantness. Please do
not look 50 grieved, Aunt Di; | have
got used to it, and do not mind the crane
so much as did at frst-at least, it does
not make my head ache
"And you never told me. l could not
have borne to have thought of you in
this room, Allie. Well, you have spared
me many a heartache. | should have
wanted my child back in her little nest
and have been unhappy because l could
not get ner. Anu 4hlSS Ndll ihSion pos
itively shuddered as she looked at the
grim lines of the crane, and round the
dark, heavily furnished room.
81 am glad l did not tell you" re-
turned Alison, gently, as she unfastened
Miss Carrington's mantle and waited on
her. Perhaps Aunt Diana loved to feel
the soft little hands busy about her, for
she offered no resistance as Alison
smoothed her hair, and brought her a
footstool, of which she took possession
herself.
THAT is right" observed Miss Car
rington, stroking the brown head that laid
Itself in child fashion on her lap. Alison
was so very tired there was utter aban-
don in her attitude, and yet she was SO
happy, too.
''Now we will have one Of our cozy
talks-don't look at the door, Allie-I am
In no hurry for my tea. My dear, l am
longing to tell you how it is your letters
have miscarried; read them all for the
first time last night"
Aunt D do you mean that you have
flown to us--only telegraph wires could
have done it," laughing incredulously.
'You may be sure that | should have
flown to you If had the power" return
ed Miss Darlington, seriously. allie,
was not in Switzerland, as you thought.
I was recalled suddenly, fortnight ago
by Mr. Moore's sudden illness. Greville
telegraphed for me, and l came home at
once"
"Mr. Moore ill., exclaimed Alison,
with a fast paling face.
"Yes, very i'll, but thank Cod my dear
old friend is better now. 1t has been an
anxious time for us, darling. Greville
is cast down and unhappy-you need not
look at me so reproachfully. would
not write to you-it would have given
you useless pain, and / was so engrossed
with nursing that letters were impossi-
BILE Injuries Little did l think in my
night watching that Allie was ANXIOUS
and unhappy, too"
"Aunt Di, that Is why you look tired"