Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-01-04

Bells. But the other looked for a sec
ond or two longer, and then, bending
down over the backgammon board,
said something In a low voice to his
companion, who, however, made no re-
spouse to his remark by word or look.
My husband-my brother" said Mrs.
Boddington, with a careless movement
of the head, by way Of introducing
them to Bell. Bell thought that there
was a considerable likeness between
the brother and sister, and mentally
observed that Mr.. Boddington looked
rather stern, and was old enough TO be
his wife's father.
II beg your pardon for eXclaiming in
that ridiculous way" said Mrs. Bod
dington; but the fact is, | didn't ex-
pect any n 500 young
"Oh, perhaps | look younger than I
am" said Bell earnestly. Il really am
not very young. l shall be twenty~four
next birthday"
II hope you don't mean to say that
t~wenty-four Is old. Mrs.-Mrs.-I
haven't the advantage of knowing your
name"
MY name Is Lilly-Mrs. John Lilly.
junior. No, not old. Of course. But IL
you thought me too young to teach, l
meant. You see l have q little girl Of
my own; and / am fond of children,
and / think | understand them, and get
on well with them. / think when you
have a child of your own. you are able
to manage other peoples children; and
you love all children better, don't your
well / don't know" said Mrs. Bod
dington, lazily, Il find other peoples
children the most dreadful bore; but
then my own are bores, too, sometimes.
What can you teach, Mrs. LiIly?"
Then Bell went through the catalogue
Of her accomplishments, with a mkt
ure Of gravity and shamefacedness
which was pretty to SET.
mo music, Mrs. Lilly?'
mo music" answered Bell. resolutely.
She began to fear that the lack of
music might lose her this chance: but
none The less was she determined TO
give 1t up rather than interfere with
Barney. Il don't teach music; but il
you want Your children taught music,
l know such a very clever person she
added, timidly.
"Oh. no, thank you, / don't think it
is worth while. My children are so
young. and very likely they wouldn't
like 1t; and they would make such an
ugly noise at first. No, really I don't
think the music matters at all"
Bell felt heartily relieved to hear II.
Mrs. Boddington proceeded to state
that she had two children, a boy and
a girl; that they were aged respectively
seven and nine, and that they had had
very little teaching hitherto. She sup
posed she would have to send them TO
school by and by, but 1t was so trouble
some to find just such q school as she
needed; and so for the present. and as
long as they remained in Coddington,
she thought a daily governess, Ito keep
them quiet for n few hours every day,
You know; they are too tiresome when
they are absolutely idle" would be the
best thing for them.
"Oh, you are not going TO stay in
Coddington always, Them said Bell, in
a timid, disappointed tone.
Dear me, / hope mott" returned Mrs.
Boddington. And now about salary.
What are your terms, Mrs. Lilly?'
Bell named the terms she had agreed
upon with Barney, and they seemed to
her so extremely modest In contrast
with the evidence Of wealth in Mrs.
Boddington's house and dress, and
with the amount of labor that was re-
quired for them, that Bell had a half
formed childish expectation that Mrs.
Boddington. ON hearing her demand,
would exciaim, ''Oh, that Is much too
little, Mrs. Lilly. 1t would not be fair
10 offer you such a sum for four hours
Instruction. or something to that
effect. What Mrs. Boddington really
did say however. was. ooh, well.
don't know. Yes; / suppose that Is not
too much. considering the distance
from the town. But I hope you will be
very punctual, please, Ii / give those
terms. It's a good deal Of money for
such young children"
Mrs. Jack took her leave, having
agreed to teach Master and Miss Bod.
dington during four hours every morn.
ing. from 8 o'clock a. IN. TO 1 o'clock
p. m. and to enter on her duties the
following day. &
The two gentlemen had finished their
game meanwhile, and had left the
Don by the lawn window. When Bell
came out at the front door she found
a very pretty little basket phaeton and
n pair of spirited ponies waiting on
the drive. A servant was holding the
ponies heads. aud Mr.. Boddington and
his brother-in-law were about to get
into the vehicle. Mr.. Boddington whis-
pered a word or two to the other man.
and then the latter stepped forward
and said:
I'VE are driving into town. Mrs. LILLY.
Won't you allow me to spare you the
hot, dusty walk? Pray let me drive
you TO your home"
Bell hesitated an instant, and looked
at the other gentleman, who bowed
and muttered something about taking
the back seat. He did not seem par
tlculnrly gracious. or anxious for the
honor of Mrs. Jacks company. How
ever, the brother-in-law settled the
matter by handing Mrs. Jack into the
vehicle.
Twin you drive, Robertr' ne said.
pausing before getting into the car
| rage himself.
No answered the bronze-faced
man. II shall sit IN Benson's place.
You needn't come, Benson< Give them
their heads"
The servant stood on one side, the
elder gentleman took his place at the
back. the jolly-looking individual. who
BELL thought, so much resembled his
sister, seated himself beside Mrs. Jack.
md In a moment she was rolling
smoothly along the road TO Coddington
at a quick pace.
Mrs. Jack did not find her co;.pan-