The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-10-07

her undertaking. Ruby is scarcely
likely to blazon forth her own incom-
petence.
One afternoon, as she sits at the
! open window smiling over her work,
Robert Champley comes sauntering
thoughtfully up the short avenue OF
the Wilderness. Suddenly Shell, all
unconscious of his close proximity,
breaks into song. 1t is bright,
CHEEKY little dhty that bursts from her
lips, and her unseen listener pauses
amidst the shrubs and waits for the
end. Leaning idly against a strong
young lilac, he not only listens to the
words with an amused smile, but
watches the busy needle flashing in
and out of her work. She makes a
vivid picture seen between the breaks
of greenery, with her brilliant hair,
snow-white skin, and the patch OF
blue on her lap. This Is the second
time he has come upon Shell unawares,
and somehow he takes keen delight In
so surprising her-her quick change
Of manner when she is discovered, al
though he cannot understand 1t,
amuses him.
"A very good song, and very we'll
sung! Bravo, Miss Shetland please
forgive me for listening!" he says,
stepping up to the window hat in
hand, when the last note has died
away.
"Oh!" cries Shell, becoming furious
ly red; and then she throws her work
upon the floor and conceals it with her
dress.
The sudden disappearance OF the
patch of blue attracts his attention far
more than IL she had left 1t on her
knee, and a somewhat contemptuous
look steals into his eyes as he comes to
the conclusion that Shell Is ashamed
of being caught dressmaking. 1t sets
him into a teasing mood.
Miss Shell, if you ever get an offer
Of jewelry, advise you to choose tur-
quois," he says, with his keen eyes
fixed steadily upon the girls burning
cheeks.
"Turquois-why? / am not going to
get any jewelry!" stammers Shell, too
confused and surprised to find a ready
answer.
Because pale blue suits you to per-
fection," answers Mr.. Cha npley with
meaning nod; and then, intensely
amused at her bewildered look, he
proceeds on his way.
Gould he have seen my work.
muses. She'll as she withdraws 1t from
its hiding place and carefully shakes
out the delicate lace trimming, which
has become a little crushed from her
summary treatment. II don't imagine
he could-and yet what made him talk
about pale blue?"
In the meantime Mr. Champley has
proceeded round to the hall door, and
been shown by the trim housemaid
into the cool and airy drawing-room,
where he finds Violet Flower buried in
the depths of low, coy chair and
engrossed with a novel.
Tell Miss Widen that Mr.. Champ
ley is here" she says to the maid, as
she half rises from her chair and
stretches out a lazy white hand In
greeting.
"Pray don't trouble to rise" laughs
Robert, as he hastens to her side.
"You looked so exquisitely happy when
I came in that I should be sorry to
disturb you"
II am always happy when l am do
ing nothing" answers Violet naively.
"This hot weather is so frightfully
enervating that no one in the house
has a spark Of energy left excepting
She'll"
"You are not altogether lazy-you
were reading" says Mr.. Champley po-
litely.
"Yes-I have just life enough left to
take in ideas as they are put before
me-" responds vi, with lazy little
yawn, though find it great ex-
ertion holding up a book
"You should get one of those won
derful literary machines which one
sees advertised" laughs Robert
Champley, turning to greet Ruby, who
has Just entered the room. IT came
over, Miss Widen, expressly to thank
you for all your kindness to my chill
dren," he begins in a formal tone as
he reseats himself.
ooh, please don't mention It'll" an
swers Ruby, casting down her eyes.
81 assure you their coming over so fire.
quently has been a great pleasure to
me-"
"It is very good of you to say so, y
returns Robert, in tone which does
not convey any great amount of belief
in her statement; land intend to send
over the little ones tomorrow morning
to thank you themselves"
II am sure feel thanked more than
enough already" murmurs Ruby.
II have been fortunate enough to
secure very comfortable rooms in a
farm house on 0akmoor," pursues
Robert Champley, with his eyes fixed
persistently upon the carpet. 'The air
seems pure and bracing, and hope
that a couple of months spent there