Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-11-24
/ Shell l!.!!!:!!:!:!l I. l:l Eszzzszl
! Widen.


the doctor feared otherwise. but there
is no doubt whatever now they are suf-
fering from chicken-pox in its mildest
form; only us Mrs. Pomfret's children
have not had it, we are taking every
precaution."
And you-have you had it," asks
Robert Champley anxiously.
Yes. three years ago." laughs Shell;
so you see"-with a satirical little
smile-"I have been running no great
risk"
"As 1t has turned out" answers her
companion. regarding her steadily:
"but can never forget that you. nursei
them during those twelve doubtful
hours when all others turned and fed"
That is nothing" returns Shell care
lessly; then. advancing to the little
cots drawn side by side. she says to
the children, Now you have got kind
Mrs. Tolley. am going to run away"
mo. no. Sell-you stop too." lisps
Meg. catching Shells sleeve In her hot
hand. "Tolley can't tell about the fairy
princess"
"Oh. yes. she cant" hazards Shell,
with a laughing glance at Mrs. Tolley.
Besides. I'll find out about more prin-
cesses to tell you when you are well
again." and she bends down to i'm
print a farewell kiss on the fevered
face.
Suddenly n gray-coated arm Is inter-
posed between Shells red lips and
little Meg's white brow.
II can allow no kissinS!" says Rob
ert Champley decidedly.
Shell draws herself up rigid as a
grenadier. whilst Meg fights feebly with
an Intervening arm.
You have run risk enough without
courting It," explains Mr.. Champley al
most angrily.
Shell merely shrugs her shoulders.
Mrs. Tolley." she says. turning to
the housekeeper. "if you will come
into the other room with me Will
explain about the medicine. et-cetera.
and the doctor will be here shortly. SO
you will have full directions from him
about the children"
Mrs. Tolley does rs she is asked. and
from that other room" Shell slips
away home without any further inter-
course with Robert Champley.
A fortnight has elapsed. In the rus
tic porch OF Gorse Cottage two figures
are seated-a laughing-eyed merry girl
In spotless white. a tall. stalwart man
In gray tweed. The house door is
closed. and the Interview Is conse-
quently n private one.
II shall call you Pearl" the gen.
tleman is saying. with laughing de-
cision.
mo. I won't be Pearl: my old name
suits me much better. ] am rough and
uneven and hardin fact, thorough
oyster-Shell.' pouts the girl rebellious-
ly.
''You certainly conducted yourself
like Shell when I trst knew you:
but adversely opened the Shell. and
then l saw the treasure inside. and
pounced upon my Pearl" laughs the
gentleman.
II hope may really prove a treasure
to you. but I sometimes doubt It," says
Shell with comic candor. you know
have n good many faults-I am quick
tempered and blunt, and some people
think me eccentric"
Robert Champley indulges in an
amused laugh.
you will perhaps be surprised to
hear that neither am perfect" he re-
turns. 81 can be obstinate, and even
grumpy at times"
Really" asks Shell In tone Of un-
belief.
"Yes-really and truly" laughs the
gentleman. And now. Pcarl-I told
you was obstinate-I want to know
what induced you to be so particularly
uncivil to Ted and me when we first
returned to Champley House."
was l very horrid?" she asks evas-
lively, flushing. ...
"You snubbed poor Ted SO unmerci-
fully that I doubt II he will ever re-
cover his normal state of placid con-
ceit."
well. you see. It was this way" ex-
plains Shell in self lf-justiacation-"I
knew that you were rich and that ev-
erybody would be particularly gracious
and officious. so ! made UP my mind
TO be an exception to the rule"
which you certainly were. Meg
was one Of the first to find you out"
laughs Meg's father. as that little dam
sci. soon tired after her recent illness.
comes creeping into Shells lap. THAT
little dress reminds me Of the day I
caught you working at the window"
pursues Robert Champley. touching his
pale-bluc skirts.
Does it?" says Shell. with u shy.
pleased laugh.
own the truth. Pearl; you made that
dress?"
Il certainly had finger in the pie"
answers Pearl demurely.
do you remember. told You then |