The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-02-04

NO. no; do as I tell you; you shan
come IN presently There you have tram
pied on my dress and torn some Of the
trimming, you horrid little thing, / will
tell papa if you are so naughty, and
then he will not let you come down to
1 tea" Here an expressive roar on Pop
/ pies part interrupted the discussion. Ali
I son. who could bear no more moved
I quickly 10 the door and opened it. A
I pretty looking fair-haired girl, dressed
somewhat untidily and in bad style, with
rather vixenish expression on her flush
/ ed face, was standing just outside Alisoa's
I room, and behind her a somewhat plain
/ little girl between eight and nine years OF
age, rather small in stature and with
( droll, freckled face like Rudel's, only il
was just noW puckered up with crying
q 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 somewhat cold salute of Missiles
cheek. Please do not prevent Poppie
coming to me. / could not help hearing.
you spoke 50 loud, and l 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 go
to Alison, you stupid little thing;" shs
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
viii show you the pretty new game 1
have brought for you"
The child's face Frightened in a mo-
ment, and she moved instantly to take Ali
sons hand again Missile interposed
"She must change her frock. Alison
tea is just ready, and hear papa's step
in the garden. He viii be very angry IL
Poppie looks rough or untidy; and l can
not allow him 10 be vexed, pursuing up
her lips with a virtuous expression.
Alison controlled 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 I'VE
must not yex papa, must we, Poppie7
will help you change your froek, and per-
haps after all We may have time to look
at the fish ponds" And without another
glance at Missile, Alison made Poppis
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, careworu face In the dim
light Alison recalled her mother too plain
" 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 a woman
since he had seen her, and questioned her
with some interest about her journey
The dining room, a large, handsomely
furnished room, looked sufficiently cozy
as they entered il. Missile was in the
seat of honor; she gave a little shipper
ing laugh as Alison entered with her faith
er. Il suppose this VIII be your place
Tomorrow" she said, for, as Alison re-
piled simply. Il suppose so. but need
not disturb you. tonight" q vexed look
crossed Missiles face, but as RudeI was
already grinniug in hopes Of a row she
prudently disappointed him.
When they rose from the table, Missiles
first words were q peremptory order for
Poppie TO put away her toys and go 70
bed. This led TO feeble protest on Miss
Leigh's part
cit is not 20 very late, Mabel, and Pop
pie has not seen her sister for two years
I think she might wait a little longer"
II am not going; there now - observed
the child, de6antly, quite obIiyious of her
fathers presence.
Go it, Pops. III back you,' whispered
Rudel, rubbing his hands; '''she sha'n't
touch You as long as am here"
MabeFs eyes flashed. You horrid, rude
boy. Papa But here Alison gently
interfered.
You viii 90 to bed now, dear. win you
not?r she whispered in the child's ear,
and will come and tuck you up, and
wish You goodnight" And thus propi-
lated, Poppie's suIlenness vanished, and
she trotted on at once.
(To be continued.)