El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-27


ten, DEAR
May" cries Violet, who has left he1
chair. and at this juncture gives Shell
cousinly hug, "only you were an aw-
full goose to come! If 1 ever get back
to Mudford, wild horses shall never
drag me to moor again"
But what is the matter with the
moor?' asks Shell. 81 thought it per-
fectly lovely as we came along-so
fresh and free and wild and breezy;
then the village itself is so Quaint
could spend six weeks in sketching it
But 1 can't sketch, you see," yawns
Violet; land as to it's being fresh and
wild and breezy, why, it is like mid
winter. I doubt if I shall ever get
thoroughly warm again. By the way,
did you see Mr.. Champley, and did you
bring the wraps 1 asked for?'
Il did; and, what is more, 1 brought
your velveteen Dress
You thoughtful darlingi 1 believe 1
shall find courage to go out of doors
again, now you have come"
I'VE certainly do find it very cold
here" interposes Mrs. Wilden's gentle
voice; and the house is 50 scantily
furnished that one seems devoid of
comfort
Comfort" cries vi, with a laugh
of scorn. do those American chairs
represent comfort? There is no couch
and no coal-box, the windows and
doors are simply draught- traps, and the
carpets are so full of holes one is in
constant danger of tripping. Wait till
how ~
a windy nisht-it is a case of perpetual
motion-and, as climax, 1 have only
two blankets on my bedi'
Poor, prosecuted Viz" laughs Shell.
much amused at her cousins tragic
face. "oHw does Ruby stand it. and
where is she?''
Here she comes!'' responds vi. who
is standing with her elbows on the
broad window-sill. "She has been over
at Meadowcroft seeing to the children"
AS she speaks. Miss Widen enters the
room-she starts slightly on seeing
Shell, but there is no look of welcome
on her face
What brought you here?" she asks,
imprinting a ceremony-kiss on Shells
upturned face.
1.-THE carriers wagon" answers Shell
naively
There issues . Simultaneous exclama-
ton of surprise and horror from the
ladies' present.
What in the world induced you to
come by the carriers wagon?" de-
mands Ruby, with a face the color Of
beetroot.
THE spirit of economy" answers
Shell coolly. Il found fly would be
twelve and sixpence; 1 didn't feel JUS
tilted in spending all that on myself.
so l came with the carrier-I and the
parcels together were only one-and-
six
You were certainly not justified in
becoming disgrace to us all and caus-
ng the finger of scorn to be pointed
1t our poverty" exclaims Ruby holly.
There was only one old woman be-
sides myself" explains Shell calmly;
and L don't think she'll point the
niger of scorn because she called me
dearie' all the way, and seemed quite
| pleasant old BODY
Don't scold her, Ruby-the child
meant WELL" interposes Mrs. Widen,
With smile at Shell. ''And how did
-ou leave things at home, dear?"
Shells life has been so very un-
'ventful during the absence that it |
Ices not take long to recount the few |
mall incidents which have broken its |
nonotony.
ct was so stupid of you to come"
emarks Ruby, during a brief pause
n the dialogue going on between Mrs.
Widen and Shell. 81 don't suppose
We shall any of us be stopping here
more than a few days longer
Mrs. Widen looks surprised.
How so? 1 have no intention of
DING home just yet, Ruby" she says
little tartly. THE cottage is taken
or two months, and since the rent
1ust be paid, we may as well make the
est of our bargain
There is no best about it," grum-
les Violet.
mo, tndeed-it is downright snare
nd delLsion," agrees Ruby. "Since
ven the Champley brothers couldn't
tand it there can be no wonder if we
I'm away"
81 don't think they grew tired of the
loor,' says Shell honestly.
IF not, why did they leave it?" de-
lands her sister defiantly.
Cant say" responds Shell; then,
fter a pause, she continues-'I sup
ose you know that they are going
broad in a few days"
Going road!" repeats Ruby, in a
,ne of l.~..cive CONSERVATION mo,
had no idea of it; 1 understood that
ley were merely going back to
hampley House."
They are starting for Switzerland
| two or three days." says Shtll quiet {
,; land l rather fancy they won't be
ack till autumn"
In that case we may as we'll stop