Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-02-11
CHAPTER VII.

One the followlnS tnoEulhs, 10
is carefully folding in tissue'paper inc
superfiuous teaspoons brought into
use on the previous evening. Rhpy once
more bursts In upon her solitude.
Il have brought over one of Mess
dresses as a guide; and | think TINS
merino ought to make up preuiiy'
she says, unfolding parcel which she
carries, and displaying with some
triumph a tiny cotton froek ana
piece of some light blue material.
Shell pauses In the act OF rubbing an
imaginary spot from one OF the spoons
and stares at the articles produced
with wondering eyes.
What are you talking aeoutl she
asks. with bewildered stress on the
word "are."
why. I am going to make a dress
for poor little Meg" explains Ruby In
a rather impatient and injured tone
You must have noticed how badly tho
poor child's things at herr
Shell turns perfectly crimson.
You can't mean what you say,
Ruby?" she cries In voice OF horror.
You have surely not been Offering 10
make clothes for Robert Champley's
children?"
Why no<g" demands Ruby, with
faint fiush. II consider II only COM
mon act OF charity to help the poor
man when he is In such dire need oil
help"
''oh. then. he asked you to see about
H. queries Shell. looking relieved.
We'll. not exactly. We were talk
ing about the children. and remark
ed 'aat the nurse seemed to have no
hea how TO dress them properly. Oh
course he objected to my taking any
trouble In the matter. but | could see
that he was distressed by what | told
him. So this morning l went over
and caught the nurse Just about To cut
out another monstrosity. so Jus,
marched OF her stun. and one OF Mos's
dresses for a pattern"
Wasn't the nurse q tribe sur
prisedF" asks Shell. In dry sarcastic
tone.
She did seem little pat out" ad.
mits Ruby. with quick flush. u
shall warn Robert Champiey against
that woman | think he must b. mis-
taken In her-she has most shocking
manners"
DO you set up as being a Judge oI
manners" asks Shell. still sneerins.
II set up for knowing when people
are rude and disagreeable, answers
Ruby shortly.
Shell, having carefully disposed o.
her last spoon. Is turningly silently
from the room. when Ruby calls be-
back.
Where are you goins7" shs ask
Grossly.
II am going to lock up the silver.
replies She'll. without rctraclns het
steps.
When you have done that wisi
you would help me to cut out Meg
dress-you are so much more used q
that kind OF thing than | am cay
Ruby. gazing despondeutly at the it'll,
dress. which she has been turning In
side out to see how II Is fashioned.
II ain really very sorry" answer
Shell coldly; but can't possibly hell
you. / never cut out child's dress II
my life."
'Nonsense-don't be so cross--yor
must do 1t for mel" cries Ruby, be
ginning to look alarmed. "of cours
| quite reckoned on you. or I shout,
never have undertaken such a task.
Il am very sorry." repeats Shell, ii
hard. unfeelIng voice: but don.
In the least understand children
things. | should advise you to sen,
for patterns or put II out--you will 20
no help from me-" And then sh
hurries from the room, nearly unset
ting Violet, whom she meets I'm III
passage.
Would you believe It, viy-tha
wretch OF Shell has turned suIky.
grumbles Ruby, as her cousin enter
the room. "She vows she won't he'll
me with Meg's dress, or even cut
out. Isn't 1t dtsasreeable OF her7-
What on earth will you dor
know you can't manage IT yourself
laughs Viola-instead OF sympa,h,z
ing, she seems only amused at he
cousins dilemma
Il am sure don't know. Do vo,
think you could cut one outY" AJAX
Ruby hopelessly.
Violet turns the little dress all rom,
about, then holds 1t out Mt arm,
length by both sleeves.
Not II hanging we're the alterna
tive" she laughs; ut is quite beyon
| me-"
But for Ruby II is no laughing mn,
tcr-tears OF modification and vega
| ton force themselves into her eve,
Bah! Don't take It to heart
cries Violet lightly-"we'll send o.
some patterns, and then make an q,
tentatious show OF cutting IT on, /
Shells presence. She won't be ab,
to Withstand that, I know. for ali
mates to see good stuff wasted"
And Violet's ruse proves succesafn
For when, few DAYS later h,,,tr