El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-04-01

"Ah. but sho is going abroad for her
health: and it is solely because he
must now take charge of the children
himself that he is coming home!" re-
joins Ruby. with a triumphant CLEAN
in her fine brown eyes.
well, 1 suppose it is easy enough
to get competent nurses when one has
plenty Of money" says Shell; and then.
dismissing the subject with an impa-
tient shrug of her shoulders, she asks.
| holding up a long narrow piece of It's
sue paper, will you have your back
cut in four parts or six?"
Ruby's mind soon descends to the
practical. advancing to the table, she
at once enters into the most minute
instructions for the cutting out Of her
dress.
Il think this pale sateen such a
sweet shade" she says, holding up a
bit of the material admiringly. Il
have half a mind to get a pale pink,
too
eff so. please look sharp" remarks
Shell, in tone of anything but keen
delight. q like to get all the summer
dresses over In one Datcn ana not Keep
on at it for months"
But, my dear She'll" eXpostulates
Ruby. Il thought you liked cutting out
and fitting. 1 am sure you always tell
mamma so; besides, you are so clever
at it,
"Oh, I don't mind" admits Shell,
rather Grossly. "Of course one of us
must play at being fond of it, since we
can't afford a maid. Only it does rath-
er annoy me for any one to be so insane
as really to imagine that I prefer work
ing on a morning like this to being out
of DOORS" and she heaves sharp lit
tie sigh as she glances out at the Wav-
ing tender-green boughs Of the newly
budded trees.
why that heart-rending sigh, my
sweet sea-Shell?" asks a tall, willowy
girl with blue eyes, who has just en-
tered the room. AS she speaks she
lays her arm caressingly around the
girls firm shoulders.
She is quite overcome at the pros
pect of cutting me out a second wash
ing Dress answers Ruby, in a tone
which implies, Hasn't she an unfor-
tunate temper"
ooh, dear-and I was just going to
ask her to fix my buff print, because
she is so clever at that sort of thirg!"
says Violet, in tone of CONSERVATION.
All right, Vi dear-I adore cutting
out" laughs Shell. Bring your buff
print by all means-and any other ma
terial that you can lay your hands on.
In for a penny, in for pound 1t
is a pity that we are not all three the
same figure-in that case l could cut
out half-a-dozen at the same time"
do you seriously mean you would
be kind enough to do more than one
because there is my new flannel tennis
frock to arrange?" asks Violet coax
ingly.
I'll do it." answers Shell rather
shortly-"orly. if 1 do all the cutting
gain that you and Ruby help with the
machine work"
Yes. dear. of course-only that stu
pid old machine will never work for
me-" responds Ruby. with a vicious
look at that useful but inartistic piece
of furniture.
III make it work for me, or I'll
know the reason why" laughs vi,
seating herself before the machine and
commencing to arrange her cottons.
Now. Shell, toss me over your skirt,
child,''
How can you be so energetic, VI.
after our long walk" says Ruby, ris-
ing from the sofa with a slight yawn.
Il have quite headache with the heat
and must rest till lunch. or 1 shall be
fit for nothing during the remainder Of
the day" and then she leaves the room
with a languid step, and the ''click.
click Of the old sewing machine
echoing pleasantly in her ears.
CTo be Continued)