Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-01-20
CHAPTER vi.


stillroom of the Wilderness. busting
delicate china tea-cups with a clean
glass-cloth. She Is singing at the top
of her fresh young voice, as she usual
ly does when working alone.
ooh, here you are at last!" cries
Ruby, entering the room with VIC
timized air. Il have been searching
all over the house for you. Who ever
would dream of finding you down here
at the end of this long passage?"
"Anybody with an atom of sense
answers Shell bluntly. IF you insist
upon asking about fifty people to
garden-party, with only two servants,
some one must give them helping
hand"
"Absurd-afternoo is no trou-
BILE; but if you choose to encourage
their laziness of course they are WILL
ing enough to let you!"
Shell makes no reply, but placldly
proceeds with her busting.
xvi and want you upstairs con-
tinues Ruby in a different tone. I'VE
have decided to wear those musllns we
had for the flower-show, only they
want altering little, and some ne"
laces lacking on
"All right-only I can't come just
now" assents Shell readily-"the How
ers have to be gathered and arranged
yet; and cook is stepped to her eye
brows in cakes-I promised to help her
as soon as 1 had finished these.
ooh, but the dresses must be done
first! I'll gather the flowers If neces-
sary," says Ruby in the voice OF
martyr. "even though going out in the
heat always does give me frightful
headache"
Shell reluctantly complies, and is
occupied for nearly an hour, then hav-
ing still many household matters on
her mind, she rises to take her de-
parture.
Don't go yet; you know how I alb
hor this sort of work. said Ruby
sharply-her only work so far has con-
sisted in watching Shells deft needle
darting to and fro.
But, Ruby, I must-the tennis
courts want marking; and l must keep
my promise to cook"
ooh, we can manage now quite
we'll" remarks Violet cheerily. by
the way, Shell, what are you going to
r?'-looking up with sudden in
terest.
81? Oh, 1 don't know-I haven't
thought" returns Shell carelessly.
MY white serge will do as we'll as
anything-at any rate it is ready
Don't wear stuff, it looks so hot;
besides, that serge looks horrid since
it was washed" objects vi, who likes
| Shell sufficiently to wish that she
should appear at her best.
my dear vi, don't waste advice On
Shell-you know how self-opinionated
she is. Besides'-with a slight uprais-
ing of her eyebrows-"she is such
child, it really doesn't matter much
what she wears"
Gust so," assents Shell, shutting the
door behind her; but, all the same, she
goes away feeling rather sore at heart,
for there is no small amount of con-
tempt in Ruby's tone. Though her
eldest sister has assigned her age as
a reason for her dress not mattering,
she knows full we'll that the tone also
insi nuates a vast want of personal at
fractions too.
Yet, if she only knew it, she has
a charm all her own-the charm of a
genial spirit and "a warm impulsive
heart, which peeps out of her clear
gray-green eyes, and fingers amidst the
dimples of her crimson lips.
All that long summer afternoon
there is no thought of self in the girls
conduct. She fits about, finding foot
stools and seats for old ladies', getting
pins and fresh flowers for girls who
have come imperfectly provided, and
generally making herself useful.
when will you be ready for ten
nis?" asks Robert Champley, who has
been watching her narrowly, though
unseen, for the past ten minutes.
II am not going to play" answers
Shell brightly, as she hurries across
the lawn with a sunshade for an old
lady who has left her own at home,
and now finds herself incommoded by
the ardent gaze of King Sol.
but everybody says you play so
we'll; and yet I have never seen you
touch a racket" he urges, with smile,
on her return.
perhaps that is how I keep my
reputation" laughs Shell gaily.
"No-but really, like to watch good
play; you might be obliging," pleads
her companion. Truth to tell, he is
beginning to take a deep interest in
Shell, probably owing to the fact that
she seems to take no interest whatever
in him.
"Well, 1 will be-" responds Shell,
with a. curious little smile; and then,
walking straight up to an exceedingly
pretty girl dressed in pale pink, she
says gravely, mora dear, Mr.. Champ
lev is most anxious to meet with some
one who plays tennis really we'll, SO l
thought I couldn't do better than
bring him to you. Mr.. Champley-
Miss Nora Fretwell;" and with a little
nod she proceeds placidly on her way,
having so disposed Of her cavalier.
Five minutes later she is accosted by
Ted.
isn't it a jolly Afternoon" he be-
gins.
Eyes, only rath er warm" agrees
Shell, pushing het sailor hat little
farther off her br| bw.
Come into tht shade and let me
fan Won >, sl1ncesfs Ted nQayinplY