Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-12-23
/ Shell I. SSzzzsz1 :
Widen;
9f&s6s63t4t y y y y y

mat there was much sense in the eX-
cuse that you hadn't time, for see you
nave been wasting it in the grounds
pointing with her sunshade to a large
vase full OF lilac which stands in the
center Of the chimney piece 1T is so
absurd to put flowers in this horrid
old room.'
Shell turns her head sharply and
smiles at the mauve and white plumes
behind her.
i just couldn't resist them" she
says softly. II took rush round the
grounds before setting to work, and
felt l must bring a bit of sweetness
back with me-"
hoDy Is not listening to the explana-
tion' her eyes are gazing absently
through one of the open windows.
We heard some news in the town."
sne observes with deliberate sudden
ness.
Did you?" returns Shell carelessly,
as she continues to adjust her pins.
"Yes-Robert Champley is expected
home next week."
is hep says Shell, pausing sudden
~ In her work and opening her green
eyes to their fullest extent. Then she
continues musingly-'Poor fellow"
your pity seems rather ridiculous, ;"
observes Ruby impatiently. "a man
with over two thousand a year is not
to be pitied."
Not even when he has lost the only
person who could make that two thou
sand year worth having?" queries
Shell, with curl of her lip.
Absurd! He must have got over
his wife's death by this time," says
Ruby, tapping her sunshade restlessly
on the carpet; besides, he has his
children"
Poor little things" muses. Shell,
with short sigh.
why poor? OF course he will
marry again; and they will be we'll
looked after"
will they?' says Shell obviously.
Il am sure I hope so; besides, 1t re-
mains TO be proved that Robert Champ
ley will marry again. think it very
doubtful myself"
AS ii YOU, a child Of nineteen
could possibly form an opinion!" ex-
claims Ruby. why. you were a per-
feet baby when his wife died. Won
der that you can even remember her."
LET me see-I must have been six
teen," remarks Shell, with provoking
accuracy, because know it happened
four years since; and shall be twenty
the day after tomorrow"
"Of course you would remember him
Il didn't exactly mean that" owns
Ruby-"only at that age you could not
possibly understand much Of his char
acter. Now poor Clara used to say
that comprehended him so thorough
| ly-nearly as we'll as she did. You
know Clara and l were close friends. "
Il always thought Mrs. Champley
was Garnet's great friend" observes
Shell, with just shade OF unbelief in
her tone.
AT one time admits Ruby in some
confusion; "only after Garnet married
and went to India took her place."
mo one person can take another's
place." says Shell decidedly. Il know
Garnet corresponded with Mrs. Champ
ley up to the time OF her DEATH have
often heard mamma say So"
II am very glad that he is coming
home" pursues Ruby. ignoring this
last allusion of her sisters intimacy
with Mrs. Champley. Il have often
have not been able to carry out dear
Clara's wish, and look after her chill
dren."
She'll has Strengthened her back, and
now stands staring full at Ruby with
such quizzical glance that her sister
says with an impatient flush
"Well-have l said anything so very
extraordinary? You look as if you
were going to eat me"
well, it certainly sounded odd, to
say the least OF it," replies Shell, re-
Stunning her work." to hear that you
were going to look after Robert
Champley's children. I should mag
inc that he is pretty we'll able to look
after them himself
GAS il man could possibly know
anything about the training Of chill
dren!" answers Ruby contemptuously.
"Of course he can't. l promised their
poor mother that l would do my best
to look after them. and I shall allow
| cor,Ynloc n nrprpnt
my fulfilling that promise
81 am lutte sure you won't" says
Shell in low tone to her work. Then
suddenly happy thought strikes her.
"Perhaps he won't have the children
home" she says, with hopeful laugh
The can't do better than leave them
where they are. at his sisters
"Ah. but she is going abroad for her
health; and it is solely because he
must now take charge Of the children
himself that he is coming home!" re-
joins Ruby, with a triumphant CLEAN
in her fine brown eyes.
"Well, suppose it is easy enough
to get competent nurses when one has
plenty of money" says Shell; and then.
dismissing the subject with an impa-
tient shrug OF her shoulders. she asks.
holding up long narrow piece of It's
sue paper, will you have your back
cut in four parts or six?'
Ruby's mind soon descends to the
practical, advancing to the table, she
at once enters into the most minute
instructions for the cutting out OF her
dress.
"I think this pale sateen such
sweet shade" she says, holding up
bit of the material admiringly. II
| h,,f , mind tn get a male pink