The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-03-12
Aunt Diana
The Sunshine
of the Family
CHAPTER XXIV.-(Continued.)
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

wv
brothers quiet, respectful manners, SO 1uii
of reverence for that wise and dignihed
old age, and the evident gratihcation
with which Mr.. Moore listened to him.
She might almost have believed herself
forgotten, but that every now and then
the thin hand passed lightly over her hair
with a caressng touch which told now
he loved to feel Sunny near him again.
Greville kept little aloof from them, but
not a movement escaped his notice. once
Alison glanced in his direction and met
grave, touched look in his eyes, as though
something moved him.
Miss Darlington presently came IN to
see after her charge, for such she evident
ly considered the old man, and dispersed
the little group. Mr.. Moore must have
his monday rest and then he would be
well enough to play to them in the even
ing, but he had talked to them sufficient
ly for the present.
The rest Of the morning was spent in
tennis, and in the afternoon Miss Caring
ton Joined them, and Greville and Roger
rowed them to the Long Island, that
Alison might revisit her old haunts, and
the evening was spent at Fernleigh.
This was Greville's only idle morning !;
for the future he adhered steadily to his
determination to work until luncheon.
and as Alison resumed her old habits of
painting under Aunt Diana's supervision,
or playing to Mr. Moore or reading to
him, Roger found himself left to his own
devices
He took Miss Carrington's advice and
N no oil off or Twin 10
lawn with book or padding himself
lazily in a canoe, till his face was brown
anil ruddy with health and he grew as
ligft hearted as a boy.
In the afternoons and evenings the
three young people were always together.
Tennis and boating or drives in Gre
ville's dog cart filled up the afternoon.
When Mr.. Moore was pretty well the
evenings were always spent in his room;
sometimes he played on his violin while
Alison accompanied him, or one of the
young men read aloud while the ladies
worked.
The ole man always retired early, and
then sometimes Greville would tempt
them to a moonlight row or stroll, or if
Miss Darlington refused this for her
self and Alison. Roger and he would pace
the garden in animated conversation.
The young men had become great
friends. Greville, who was a few months
older than Roger, always acted as though
he were younger. Roger was full of
quaint drollery, and loved fun in his own
way, but Greville's spirits were liable to
carry him laway; he had plenty of char
acter, but Rogers grave solidity and
greater thoughtfulness were uncommon at
his age; nevertheless Greville's gayety
and natural exuberance covered depth
of feeling that would have astonished
people. "A man is man for a. that"
he would have said if any one had accus-
ed him of too much love of play; that he
played we'll in his youth was no argument
against his working well by and by.
young growing things must stretch
themselves" Miss Darlington used to
say in loving extenuation of her favorite.
When a good woman thinks we'll of a
man there can not be much amiss with
him. Miss Darlington always said Gre
vile was a fine creature, and she had
tolerably shrewd judgment of her own.
Aunt Diana had resolved that Roger
and Alison should have as much play as
possible, so she not only revived her
Wednesdays, but she gave a boating par
.ty and large picnic. Roger was a great
favorite with the ladies, old and young,
though he could not compare in good
looks with Greville, but his honest face
and courteous manners-the manners
bred of a perfectly kind heart-won gold
en- opinions, but Miss Darlington, who
bod rooSnnc Of hor ouyn for xx,o tob;pr b;,,,
could not fail to notice that though he
was pleasant to all the young ladies, he
did not single out one as an object for
any special attention, while on the con-
trary, Greville was always beside Alison.
She drew her own conclusions, but
made no remark. She always said: at
was like brushing the golden dust off a
butterhy's wing to speak of such things
to young people before their time" But
her heart was very full sometimes when
she looked at Alison. Il will not speak
to her; when the time comes, she will
seek me of her own accord" she Thought
there are some things l can not teach
her, that every woman must learn for
herself
That time came sooner than she or.
pected.
One evening she was sitting alone in
the studio, writing letter to her broth
er-in-law, when she caught glimpse of
Alison's white gown flashing between tie
shrubs, and in another moment the pirl
came swiftly through the conservatory
and stood beside her.
Aunt Di, l want to speak to Won"
Zone moment, Allie; have lust fin.
ished my letter to your father. Have Won
any message for him?"
"Yes-no-oh! l can not think of ono
just now" she said, in such a tremblino
voice that Miss Darlington looked mr.
quickly, and what she saw in Alison,s
face made her drop her pen.
Come and sit here, darling, and tal
me all about it," and as Alison hid ha,
burning face, drawing down Aunt nj;
ana's hands. as though they would shieIi
her efectually, she continued, tenderlv
Don't be shy over it, Allie. OF courst
/ know what it is; Greville has beer
speaking to your
Eyes, Aunt Dr."
Well, l will scold him presently fo,
not speaking to me first" Rut tbore mo.