Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-02-18

ItuDy uuSneS uneaSlly.
What nonsense you talk, She'll"
she returns angrily. you seem to
have the Champleys on the brain. We
are going to the moor because mamma
Is In need OF bracing air. Is there any
thing so very extraordinary In that?"
There is something extraordinary
In your having selected the same vii
lage," answers Shell decidedly. III
mamma wants bracng air why not
take her to the North Of Devon?"
Because rooms there would be
frightfully expensive; whereas the cot
tase on the moor is mere trifie," re-
spends Ruby loftily. iit
This argument is unanswerable, for
no one knows better than Shell that
their income is not equal to any great
additional strain. Feeling that any
resistance she can offer will be futile,
Shell shrugs her shoulders and leaves
the room. Nothing remains to her now
but TO strike out separate line OF
action for herself She is fully de-
termined about one thing-wild horses
shall not drag her to Oakford.
When everything is fully arranged
and packing is at It's height, Shell
startles the household.
| at will be very awkard having only
three bedrooms" VI remarks In a
grumbling tone, for the more she con-
templates six weeks spent away from
| civilization the less she likes the pros
pect. ''Of course the servants must
have one; and then We must all cram
into the two Others"
Not at all, dear" Ruby hastens to
explain. Mamma and Shell can hayt
the big room, and you and ! little
one each: as for Mary, she can do quite
well with a chair-bedstead in the
kitchen"
How delightful for Nary" laughs
She'll 1T is to be hoped she has 6
strong liking for cockroaches and
crickets."
Now. please. Shell, don't go settint
Mary against the arrangement" say
Ruby imploringly. Mamma, do asl
her not?''
Don't be alarmed" answers Shell
with a curious little laugh. 81 hav'
! not the slightest intention of interfer
I ring with any of the arrangements a
) the cottage. They don't concern m
. in the least, since / sha'n't be there
E mo; be there-what do you mean
OF course you will be there!" declare
s Ruby, looking very much astonishet
Y Not unless mamma insists upon 1t
: and | am sure she won't" laugh
Shell. "As you know, have been sc
against the idea from the commence
ment. SO / mean to remain here
& monarch OF all I survey-and hav
S a right down jolly time Of it all
g myself"
1. What rubbish" cries Ruby imps
e tiently. Susan is going to be put o
d, board wages; and she is to give til
Ir house a thorough cleaning during oil
absence"
J. well, can be put on board-wag'
1t too; and ! certainly won't prevel
lie Susan from cleaning the house. sha
be out all day long," responds She
IS Mamma, please make her go.
would seem so odd her not going
10 urges Ruby.
a But Mrs. Widen Is too easy-goir
~ to oppose actively any OF her ohildre
TO Truth to tell, she rather envies She
her coming solitude, and even e
re presses It as her opinion that 1t is
n pity that dreadful cottage was ev
f. taken. This rebellion on her indulge
III mothers part is quickly talked dow
Mt by Ruby, whose constant fear fro
ge the beginning has been that h
ID scheme will ultimately fall throug
She knows that her mother wou
ut rather stay at home: she is fully ava
N. that Violet is grooming in spirit oy
IS, what she Is pleased to term her "col
ing exile:" so she thinks it wiser
re the whole to leave Shell to her o'
SIS devices, lest enlarging on the thel
elk should stir up revolt In other a
l more important quarters.
~ Then there comes a triumpha
morning when, backed up by v.
oh amount OF unnecessary luggage, Ru
". carries off her three victims--for Me-
up can truthfully be reckoned in that ca
he gory-to enjoy the bracing air a
a scant accommodation OF Oakmoor.
Shell, as she stands on the DOORS
a and waves them a smiling adieu, lot
,bt the impersonation Of mischievous CT
RI tentment.
BE sure to change the library boz
m the moment you get them, and do
far delay single post in sending tn
IT. on" entreats Violet earnestly.
IN "And any groceries We can't
he there you must send by Parcels Pc.
,ed adds Ruby.
How the Oakmoor postman
ace bless you'll" laughs Shell as she n
err assent; and then, springing on to
md step OF the cab, she imprints do
Ter. hasty kisses on her mothers trouh
at cheek.
ler Why does she heave sigh, 7
an withstanding the brightness OF
ers morning. as she turns to re-enter
ac- house?
esh -
CHAPTER X.