The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1899-02-11

CHAPTER XI.-(Contlnued.j

CHAPTER (Contlnued.)
"a man has no right to build such
house as this, and impoverish his
family by so doing, unless he has
means sufficient to leave them com
fortably provided for" he muses. impa-
tiently. This house must be a white
elephant to Mrs. Widen, and yet she
cannot bear the idea OF letting II, and
moving into a place more suited to her
meansl Well, | can sympathize with
her weakness, for, though the country
Wound looks upon her late husband In
the light OF a selfish spendthrift, /
dare say she still contemplates him as
departed saint" Then. no answer
having come to his summons, he rings
again, wondering vaguely at the great
stiffness which pervades the house.
Presently, however, that Stiffness is
broken by the sound OF heavy bolts be-
ing withdrawn, ending with a grating
turning OF the iron key; then the door
is opened, and Susan stands revealed.
II knowed II was you, sir. through
peeping beside the window-blind." she
explains with a slow broad smile. "or
else shouldn't ha' opened"
quite right, Susan" agrees Mr..
Champley, stepping into the hall with
out waiting for an invltation-"qulte
right to be cautious. / want to speak
to Miss Shell for a moment. Is she
INF"
"Eh?" asks Susan, putting her hand
! habfnh hnr aoanrntpU n Hat
ening attitude-for she is a little hard
OF hearing. and the question is uttered
rapidly.
Robert Champley again expresses his
wish for an interview with Shell, and,
what is more, the old woman's eyes
being fixed steadily on him as he makes
his demand. he feels himself growing
red as he makes II. When Susan's
face finally relaxes into broad smile
he feels that II would AFFORD him in
finite relief to box her ears.
Miss SHELF" the old woman repeats,
still smiling at the joke. Her isn't
here-her went away two hours ago."
Went away-went where?" de-
mands her visitor. looking bewildered.
Hers gone to join her ma and Miss
Ruby, sure" explains Susan. In tone
which denotes that such a question al
most merits contempt. Hers main
fanciful, is Miss She'll and this morn
ing she took II into her head all OF a
hop as herd go to the moor. and car
ry along with her the wraps as was
wanted. So nothing would do but she
had me up a-helping pack at six
o'clock, and running errands for books
to the town till I'm fair off my legs"
"Oh, indeed-gone to the moor, has
she? Well. am very glad to hear
It," answers Robert Champley, with a
strange and unaccountable feeling OF
keen disappointment. Mrs Widen,
| know. was feeling anxious about her
this house Is so lonely"
mo, / shan't be lonely" remarks
Susan, who. only catching the last
word. applies II to herself and her own
affairs. "Iye got permission from Miss
Shell to have up my married niece and
her baby to keep me company"
"A very good arrangement" remarks
Robert Champley in a slow thoughtful
voice; then he slips half-crown into
Susan's hand. and reluctantly retraceI
his steps down the weed-grown drive
What n will-o'-the-wisp that cir
isl" he muses., a little essentially. Ssh,
might have told me she was going
and so saved me the trouble OF thi
most unnecessary walk"
Man-like, he does not pause to con
slider that Shell-unless gifted will
second sight--could have known moth
ing whatever OF his intended visit, see
Ing that he himself decided on It onl,
In the early morning.
He finds his brother still sprawlin
on the grass. still half hidden beneatl
the Times.
80 soon?" cries Ted. emerging wit
q tragic air. 81 opine that your recep
tion was not all your fancy painted It
and yet-let me investigate"-screw
ing up one eye In scrutinizing way
you look intact; there doesn't seem I
be a bite out OF YOU"
Probably because Miss Shell wa
not at home" retorts Robert, with
lazy yawn.
How providentiali II l had know
that l might have gone. But wheI
has the bird flown? l trust not In TIL
direction"
mo fear OF that" laughs Robert,
little sorely "She has flown to oal
moor"
What a blessing she didn't tai
wing before we leftl" muses. Ted.
What has the poor girl done to yo
that you should hate her sol" ash
Robert, with a sudden burst OF wrat
Ted raises himself on his elbow an
stares at his brother in solemn VOL
der.
II say, the morning air doesn't see
TO agree with you, old boyl" he T
marks in a meditative tone. 81 dor
hate Shell; know she Is brick
the children-they adore her; but, Sc
ing that she does nothing but snub Il
when we meet-well. | don't ado
herl"
1T is OF no use to waste more wor
on the subject" says Robert, imp
tiently-"we are neither OF use like
to see her again for a month or So"
"Tant mieuxl" remarks Ted. placi
ly.
"If couldn't pronounce French b'
. ter than you do I'd stick to English
said Robert in a tone OF irritation.
"Never mind--I shall set that
! right when we are on the other ST