The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-09-23
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.)

Happy" cries Ruby derisively.
would you feel happy Gagged up with
a couple of young bears? The children
have been behaving shamefully."
'Have they?" returns Shell in tone
which denotes doubt, as she steps in
over the low window ledge, and gently
begins to stroke Meg's hair, which has
become disheveled through her va
rious emotions.
The child nestles up against her side,
clasping her skirts firmly, as II for pro-
lection, while Bob INDUCES in vigor-
GUS welcoming nod, for he knows he Is
not allowed to speak.
Eyes, they have given me quite a
headache" pursues Ruby, pressing her
hand to her brow. 81 shall be fit for
nothing the rest of the day If can't get
rid Of it. wish you would hear the
children read for me-"
why should II" answers Shell
bluntly. GAS you know, 1, disapprove
of their coming here; and I told you
from the first to expect no help from
mel"
Shell speaks in French, that the chill
dren may not understand; but Meg
guesses with the quick instinct OF
childhood that she Is refusing to take
charge of them.
you hear me read, Self" she lisps
with look Of almost piteous entreaty
on her baby face. me will be dood."
Shell looks down for moment with
unrelenting eyes-then she catches Meg
up in her strong young arms, gives her
j resounding kiss, and turning to Ruby,
says
"All right-if you are tired l don't
mind looking after them till they are
fetched-only don't profess to be
good hand at teaching"
Il wish you wouldn't be SO rough
with them" says Ruby, rising from her
chair with sigh Of intense relief.
Nov us is happy" cries Bob, slid
ing down from his chair and stretching
his small arms with delight as Ruby
disappears.
"But us must go on with our les
sons" says Shell gravely.
GAIL right" acquiesces Bob, as he be-
gins to hunt for their reading book.
''You sit down in the big chair and
have Meg on your lap, like you did
last time; and can stand beside you."
"My dear children, isn't it rather hot
for that kind of arrangement" ex-
postulates Shell, as Meg springs into
her arms, whilst Bob installs him
self with his arm around her neck.
But the children only know that
they love her. and want to be as near
her as possible; any such minor con-
sideration as the state Of the thermo-
meter is matter of supreme indiffer-
ence to their inexperienced and conse-
quently selfish little minds.
That evening, as luck will have it,
when the children come in to dessert,
their father begins to question them as
to their conduct.
81 hope you were both very good
children this morning." he says, help
ing each to plentiful supply Of straw
berries.
mo, pa-us wasn't berry good" falt-
ers Meg, with downcast eyes and burn
ing cheeks.
Dear me-that is very sad, Meg!"
says Robert Champley, with laugh
ing glance across the table at Ted.
"How did you misbehave yourselves"
"I didn't know tree times four" re-
plies Meg, looking deeply abashed.
"That was extremely wicked Of you,'
says her father smiling.
"And, now that Meg has made an
open confession of her sins, we must
hear your enormities, Mr.. Bobby"
laughs his uncle. "How did you offend
Miss Wilden?"
Bob heaves profound sigh.
"T did somefink dreadful" he says
in a low shamed voice.
Something dreadful?" repeats Ted,
looking intensely amused. "Come-out
with it."
"Papa, dear, don't be angry wild Bob
he didn't know" interposes Meg,
suddenly, laying hold of her fathers
arm and hugging 1t vigorously.
Dear me, this is getting alarm
ing! What did you do, Bob?" asks
Mr.. Champley with real interest.
Bob takes kind of gulp to swal-
low down his fear-and then he says
In an awestruck voice
81 pulled her hair out"
"Good gracious-whose hair?" asks
his father, looking startled.
miss Wilden's," explains Bob, much
alarmed at the sensation his announce
ment had created.
"You young villain!" exclaims his
uncle. "What induced you to attack
a lady like that?"
81 didn't attack her," says poor Bob,
on the verge of sobs. 81 just pulled
out her pins for fun, when she was
setting my copy, and then all her hair
tumbled down on the carpet"
mot ALL" FASTENED to explain Meg
''only lot Of It,"
Ted Champley 10 seized with VIC
lent At of coughing, which sends him
over to the window for relief. whilst
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