Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-01-14

90 errand-ooyS work-they are paid
| for it?''
Shell makes no answer, but, bend
Ing over the table, begins to fit tissue
paper pattern on her stun, making a
| seornful and expressive grimace of
contempt at her sisters affectation.
| know you dote ON carrying par
cells; but then you do so many things
purposely to annoy that 1t is no use at
tempting to stop you" continued Ruby,
signing gently.
Shell still keeps silent, only smiling
knowingly at her pattern as she twists
1t from side to side.
You were very wise not to go down
into the town this morning." Ruby
goes on after short pause. "Not
that there was much sense in the ex-
cuse that you hadn't time, for see you
have been wasting 1t in the grounds
pointing with her sunshade to large
vase full of lilac which stands in the
center of the chimney piece 1T is so
absurd to put flowers in this horrid
old room"
Shell turns her head sharply and
smiles at the mauye and white plumes
behind her.
Il just couldn't resist them" she
says softly. II took a rush round the
grounds before setting to work, and l
felt must bring bit of sweetness
back with me-"
Ruby is not listening to the explana-
ton; her eyes are gazing absently
through one of the open windows.
I'VE heard some news in the town"
she observes with deliberate sudden
ness
did your" returns Shell carelessly,
as she continues to adjust her pins.
/ "Yes-Robert Champley is expected
home next week"
us he?" says Shell, pausing sudden
~ In her work and opening her green
eyes to their fullest extent Then she
continues musingly-"Poor fellowl"
Your pity seems rather ridiculous, -
observes Ruby impatiently. "a man
with over two thousand year Is not
to be pitied."
Not even when he has lost the only
person who could make that two thou
sand year worth having?" queries
Shell, with a curl of her lip.
Absurd! He must have got owe,
his wife's death by this time" say:
Ruby, tapping her sunshade restlessly
on the carpet: besides, he has hi:
children"
Poor little things!" muses. Shell
with short sigh.
why poor? OF course he will
marry again; and they will be vel
looked after"
'Will they7" says Shell obviously
II am sure / hope so; besides. 1t re
mains to be proved that Robert Champ
; ley will marry again-I think 1t yer,
doubtful myself"
"As IL you, a child of nineteen
. could possibly form an opinion!" ex
claims Ruby. why. you were a per
feet baby when his wife died. won
: der that you can even remember her
''Let me see-I must have been six
teen," remarks Shell, with provokinl
accuracy, because I know it happene,
four years since; and l shall be twent,
the day after Tomorrow.
"Of course you would remember hfr
1 didn't exactly mean that" own
Ruby-"only at that age you could no
possibly understand much of his char
acter. Now poor Clara used to sa
that I comprehended him so thorough
? ly-nearly as well as she did. 70
| know Clara and l were close friends.
Il always thought Mrs. Chample
was Garnet's great friend" observe
Shell, with just a shade of unbelief 1
her tone.
"At one Time" admits Ruby in som
= confusion; "only after Garnet Marie
: and went to India / took her place"
mo one person can take another
place." says She'll decidedly. II kno,
:, Garnet correspondent with Mrs. Chamr
ley up to the time of her death-I hay
). often heard mamma say So"
Il am very glad that he is comm
home" pursues Ruby, ignoring thi
!, last a1lusion of her sisters intimac
with Mrs. Champley. Il have ofte
5 felt 1t weight on my mind that
s have not been able to carry out dea
;. Clara's wish, and look after her chi
y dren."
Shell has Strengthened her back. an
!, now stands staring full at Ruby wit
" such quizzical glance that her siste
says with an impatient flush
y "Well-have l said anything 80 yer
, extraordinary? You look as II 20
8 were going to eat me-"
well, 1t certainly sounded odd, I
n say the least of It," replies Shell, re
y Stunning her work." to hear that 20
" were going to look after Rober
d Champley's children. / should imas
d Inc that he is pretty we'll able to loo
Is after them himself"
AS IL man could possibly kno'
= anything about the training OF chi
d drenl" answers Ruby contemptuously
J "Of course he can't. / promised thei
d poor mother that | would do my bes
= to look after them, and shall allo,
9 no conventional scruples to proven
e my fulfilling that promise"