Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-12-30

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full; but his not very clear reasons arr
quickly overruled by Ruby and hel
mother, so that he leaves the Wilder
ness that evening with a cloud on hi.
usually placid brow.
Il wish that woman had more tact, >
he confides gloomily to Ted as, hav-
ing donned light overcoats and lighted
their cigars, they wend their way down
/ the short drive.
Which woman?" queries Ted, in a
voice of Indifferent wonder.
why, Miss Widen, of coursel Her
common sense might tell her that !
would rather have a regular governess
for the children if they need teaching.
There is nothing in the world l hate
more than officious meddling with my
affairs, and yet there is nothing that
one is more utterly incapable of sup
pressing without positive rudeness"
Il say, don't get waxy over it, old
boy!" suggests Ted, regarding his
brother with some amazement, for
Robert has as a rule such an equable
temper that it seems strange to find
it even in the least ruff1ed For my
own part, I thought it awfully kind
of Miss Widen to propose having the
kids oversize seems very unselfish
and kindhearted"
Il don't doubt for a moment that she
is most estimable woman" responds
Robert impatiently, "but she has no
tact, no common sense; she must have
seen plainly that 1 hated being put I'M
der such an obligation. If she insists
upon teaching the children, don't see
how l can prevent her, only l shall
certainly send her check at the end
of the quarter for her trouble, and so
make business matter of it."
you can't possibly do that" cries
Ted, in voice of CONSERVATION; 81 am
sure she would take it as an insult! If
you want to satisfy your conscience,
the children could make her some pres
ent of jewelry or something of that
sort"
Il don't care so long as she gets
paid somehow" remarks the elder
brother carelessly, and yet with a good
deal of annoyance in his tone.
Ted walks on for some moments in
meditative silence; then he says sud-
denly
I wonder what has come over Shell
since l met her last. She used to be
one of the jolliest little girls in exist
ence, and now she seems to be full of
selfishness and spite. Surely she can't
have been crossed in love; yet nothing
else that can think of would account
for the utter Indifference which she |
seems for the world in general"
Poor little She'll noticed a great |
change in her too!" assents Robert |
CAS- you say, she used to be
such chatty child, and this evening /
Ter behavior was almost rude; perhaps |
she has had something, as you sug-
,est, to sour her. 1 thought she looked
lutte pretty in that simple white
1ress"
Il might have thought her pretty if
he had condescended to make herself
greeable," laughs Ted; "but, since she
i'd nothing but snub me at every turn,
Ter hair struck me as being remark
bly, red, and her temper uncommonly
ad. Wasn't that piece of music an
wful infiiction?''
"Excruciating!" agrees Robert heart
ly. Her family ought to give her
int not to inflict herself on visitors,
T, if she insists on playing she should
NIT her performance to five minutes"
"Oh. WELL must own it was rather
ly fault" confesses honest Ted. "She
armed me beforehand that / shouldn't
ant her to play again if heard her
nce."
"Well. she gave us a quantity, If not
uality!" laughs Robert.
Indeed she did" acquiesces Ted,
18th almost a groan.