Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-20

ference respecting his children has be-
come almost unbearnble-and change
which takes him from her immediate
neighborhood cannot fail to ue greeted
with enthusiasm.
1T seems such pity to leave
Champley House Just when the Aow-
ers are so beautiful" signs Ruby serti-
mentally.
II will tell the gardener to send over
n basketful twice n week." returns
Robert quickly.
Thanks: you are too-too kind"
gushes Ruby; whilst vi. leaning back
In her chair. smiles laZily at the little
| comedy being enacted before her.
"Oakmoor." muses. Ruby aloud, after
short pause at sounds so rural and
nice. only Just n little vague. What
part OF Oakmoor are you going to-"
Our farm house Is about n quarter
of mile from the village of oakford."
"Oakford-Oakford?" repeats Ruby.
II suppose 1t is a very healthy spot?'
II should think so. Oakford stands
nearly eight hundred feet above the
sea. and there is remarkably good fish,
Ing In the neighborhood.'
'.Oh. how l wish l could induce
mamma to go there for time-I am
sure the change would do her good"
signs Ruby.
II am really afraid you wouldn't like
It," cries Robert. looking alarmed.
There is only the most primitive ac-
commodations to be had. and-and
ladies' are not used to roughing It,"
THAT is just like you-always so
absent tone: but l don't think we
should mind roughing it a little, Stree
the air is SO invigorating.'
81 know I should mind" interposes
Violet quickly. II hate invigcratiag
ART gives one no excuse for being
lazy; as for out-of-the-way places, l
abominate them-no society. NO IL
brary. perhaps even no piano"
II don't imagine that there Is any
hope Of our going" says Ruby. look
ing blankly at her cousin.
There is no need to regret that
fact-you would be tired of the place
in less than n week." laughs Robert
confldentially: "as for Ted and me, 1t
Ing"
Eyes, of course. Well. I am sure
wish you may enjoy It," says Ruby.
trying to look in earnest: and then.
when their Visitor has taken his de-
parture. she falls into meditative
mood, from which WIS bantering re-
marks are powerlcss to rouse her.
On the following morning Bob and
Meg arrive with the nurse in their
little donkey-trap. looking very i'm
portant and well pleased with them
selves.
please, Miss Widen, We have come
to wish you good-by; and please take
this with our love-" says Bob, striding
words that have been drilled into him
with a slight frown.
How handsome-how lovely! Oh,
how kind!" she cries; then. unfolding
small scrap of paper contained In
the case. she reads the Somewhat
stifily-worded note enclosed:
Dear Miss wilden.-Please accept
the watch from Rob and Meg as a
small token of their regard and grati-
tude. Yours truly.
ROBERT CHAMPLEY."
Whilst Mrs. Widen and Violet are
admiring the watch. and Ruby is
perusing the note with feeling of
disappointment, Notwithstanding the
costliness of her present. Meg makes
her way to Shell, and, thrusting a
parcel into her lap. cries triumphant
~.
dat is for 90, dear Sell"
Dear Sell looks anything but de-
lighted at the information.
Nonsense. Meg-you have made a
mistake!" she says, so coldly that Meg
begins to pout her under lip prepara-
tory to cry.
me haven't" she says stoutly. Dat
is for oo-pa said So"
Hearing that her parcel is of no in
trinsic value, Shell condescends to
open it. Having done so. handsome
ly bound copy of Tennyson's poems
lies exposed to view.
(To be Continued.)