The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-07-15

-Oh. Alison. II win be dreadful to see
herl l always was afraid Of her, you
know; she IS one Of those painfully good
people who make one feel small and hor-
rid. Please don't let her come In to-
night" And Missile SAT- bolt upright In
a panic.
Now. Mss Darlington had quick ears.
and she caught the most Of this speech
and laughed 70 herself softly; for II Is
those who Try hard to be good who are
the most conscious Of evil within. and
Miss Darlington was one who had often
cried With 81. Paul. The good that
would l do not" Her heart felt very
sofr toward the willful little girl who had
brought such misery on herself and 9TH
ers, even before she entered the room, but
her first sight Of Missile gave her feel
ing OF surprise. She said afterward she
ceased TO wonder al Ainslie's infatuation
for me child. for she was certainly be-
witching little creature.
The pink ribbons In Missiles dainty
dressing gown were not pinker than her
cheeks, her blue eyes shone with IN
easy light, and the soft. fair hair lay In
delicate rings above the pretty. childish
face: her frightened. appealing look would
have touched colder heart than Miss
Carrington's. and Il was with real alec
ton that she bent over her. But MISSES
tender conscience made her shrink from
her aunt's kisses
Please don't be 50 kind to me. Aunt
Diana-every one IS. and it Is not right
MY dear little girl. We none OF Us
want 10 see our poor little butterfly brok-
en- on the wheel; we are far too sorry for
you OF course. you have been naughty
child: you have been setting your small
world on FIRE. and have got your pretty
wings singed. Well. now you have learn
ed wisdom through painful experiences.
and We must all help you 10 get the les
son perfect"
4 don't think any one was ever 50
wicked as /, Aunt Diana. sighed Missile
well. my dear" returned her aunt.
briskly, 1t Il not my concern to 90 about
weighing ny neighbOr's trespasses in a
balance; / don't fancy human scales
would be nicely adjusted; but ! an quite
sure Of one thing-that ! was very
naughty child myself-the red-cheeked ap-
pies | stole gave me moral indigestion
still"
II was impossible to look grave over
this; Alison's merry laugh was infectious
Miss Darlington stayed few more MIN
utes, questioning Missile about her arm.
and talking kindly 10 her. until the poor
child was quite happy and AZ her ease
II don't know what il Is" she said
that night, when Alison gave her the
goodnight kiss: you ali seem trying 70
uaks me believe that ! have not been
naughty at all. and that there IL nothing
to forgive"
Il thought forgiveness meant that. re-
turned Alison. simply; you know how
the Bible speaks Of sins blotted out
that means the page is white again-ons
can write freshly across the blank
There never was a merrier supper table
nan the one at The Holms that night
late a. It was. Poppie sat up for Il. and
no ons rebuked her for her chatter. Rudel
kept up the character Of bashful school
boy: but even be relaxed his wide-eyed
gravity when Otter was admired and kind
Inoufries made after Sulky. Aunt Diana
knew the way to a boys heart; though
she never had a boy OF her own; but
there are some unmarried women whose
large natures can embrace whole world
OF little ones, and such one was Aunt
Diana
But as she talked and laughed with the
others. her keen gray eyes followed Ali
sons every movement II seemed to Miss
Darlington that her darling was changed
somehow-some Of the brightness that
had always lighted her young face had
faded a little; she was graver and more
In earnest
-AlIie has laid aside her leading strings.
and has learned to walk alone she said |
10 herself; though she loves me as much |
al ever, she needs me less l ought to
H. rlad TO know this, for I can not ex-
pect to live forever"
(To be confinued)