Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-02-25
X%X%X &3S4f9t4
CHAPTER X.-lcontinusd.l

as he follows Shell into the drawihs-
room, which looks bare and desolate,
for Shell has not found courage even
to renew the flowers during the past
few days.
81 did not wish to CO." she ex-
plains vaguely. as she seats herself on
low chair and takes puss ON her
knee. 81 thought IL would Do SO
stupid and duh on the moor.
Robert Champley stares at her with
an amused smile.
Surely It could not be much dulier
than you are here3" he ventures with
laugh; and then adds almost stern-
ly. You ought not to have been isf'
here alone"
but I wouldn't go," reiteratss Shell
decidedly. 1T is nobody's fault but my
own: they were all very much Sexed
with me for not going, oniy-oniy l
preferred remaining behind.
II am afraid you must be very de-
termined young lady"
Eyes, I am very obstinate" assents
Shell. applying the most obnoxious
term she can think Of to her decision OF
character; then, anxious TO be done
with personalities, she continues, but
you came with a message. How are
they all getting on at oakford'"
For moment there Is look OF
keen annoyance on Robert Champiey' q
face, then be laughs of the question
gaIly.
'.Oh your sister seems charmed with
the moor; Mrs. Widen not quite so
enchanted: whilst Miss Flower. ! hear.
has threatened more than once to run
away Amongst other troubles. II
seems she Is suffering Intensely from
cold--not having come sufficiently sup-
piled with wraps for the keen brac'
ing air. | am charged With a note
begging you to send her all the furz
you can lay your hands on--shs de-
clares the Arctic regions must be tropi'
cal compared with Oakmoor!"
xvi Is always shiyery." laughs Shell
as she takes the small tinted note. re
dolent of orris-root, and scans tbs
hastily -scrawled lines. Well. II won''
take me long to gather up her bundle
OF wraps. How does she want then
sent. | wonder?"
by train to Limply station, thence
by the carrier TO Oakford. suppose.
answers Mr.. Champley briskly: then
seeing Shells involuntary start Of sur
prise. he adds. II should have beer
very pleased to take them had beet
going that way"
Shell still stares at him in open
eyed amazement.
II thought you we're going to spsnt
the summer at Oakmoor?" she falters
and then a faint smile Fuckers up he
mouth-she cannot help feeling amus
ed at the unexpected turn events ar
| taking.
Yes; true-I had intended to do so.
answers Robert Champley In SLOW
thoughtful voice. but have changes
my mind. The children seem 30 thor
oughly happy at the farm that
thought I would take advantage o
their being there to take short rui
on the continent. Your sister. Mis-
Widen, has been. as usual. particu
larry kind-she has offered to keep a.
eye on the little ones-so I feel tina
they are perfectly safe" He finishe
his statement with deep-drawn sigh
and Shell bushes crimson In the gath
ertng twilight as she realizes the fac
that he has been driven abroad by Ru
by's pertinacity.
would they not have been safer Q
Champley House with Mrs. Tolley {
look after them7" ventures She'll dr
biously.
Again the father sighs.
II think the air up there ia good Il
Meg" he answers. drawing his han
slowly across his brow; "the child hs
not been herself Of late-even Rob hs
turned listless with the heat; but
don't doubt | shall find them gtron
enough on my return-the Oakmoe
air Is better than any medicine"
And yet you are running away fro,
itH' laughs Shell mischieyously.
"a week OF It seemed enough ,o
Ted" explains Mr.. Champley. throw
ing the onus OF his departure on hi
brothers innocent shoulders "W
thought we should have time for n rus
through Switzerland before the Ion
vacation. Ted has never been Tn swi,
Zerland."
Il hope you both will enjoy IT,. r.
marks Shell tamely.
Then there ensues an awtwar
pause-neither guest nor hostess seerr
to have any further remark tn mai
TIL Robert Champley's eyes, travetIn
round the room in search of an ri
ject, light upon the piano.
You were discoursing very avo,
music when broke In upon your sol
tude," he says, with a quick smflo
yes, | was making az much moi,
as possible to drown my feeling ,
loneliness" laughs Shell.
Perhaps 1t was indlsereet of mo h,
listened to your music for fully 10
minutes before knocking Mt the aoo
/ am particularly partial to good ~,
SIC, and 1t Is not often that oot
| chance of iIafenino 30 -. ~