Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1899-01-05
CHAPTER N. (Continued9

face appears at the open window.
Happy" cries Ruby dersiyely.
Would You feel happy Gagged up with
couple Of young bears? The children
have been behaving shamefully."
Have they?" returns Shell in tone
which denotes doubt. as she steps in
over the low window ledge, and gently
begins to stroke MeR's hair, which has
become disheyeled through her va
rious emotions.
The child nestles up against her side,
clasplng her skirts firmly, as if for pro-
lection, while Bob INDUCES in vigor-
GUS welcoming nod, for he knows he is
not allowed to speak.
Yes, they have given me quite
headache" pursues Ruby pressing her
| hand to her brow. Il shall be fit for
nothing the rest of the day if can't get
rid of it. l wish you would hear the
children read for me-"
why should II" answers Shell
bluntly. "As you know, l disapprove
of their coming here; and | told you
from the first to expect no help from
mel"
Shell speaks in French, that the chill
dren may not understands but Meg
guesses with the quick instinct of
childhood that she is refusing to take
charge of them.
you hear me read, Self" she lsps
with a look of almost piteous entreaty
on her baby face Me will be dood."
Shell looks down for a moment with
unrelenting eyes-then she catches Meg
up in her strong young arms, gives her
a resounding kiss, and turning to Ruby,
says
"All right-if you are tired l don't
mind looking after them till they are
fetched-only ! don't profess to be a
good hand at teaching"
Il wish you wouldn't be so rough
with them" says Ruby, rising from her
chair with a sigh of intense relief.
Now us is happy!" cries Bob, slid
ing down from his chair and stretching
his small arms with delight as Ruby
disappears.
But us must go on with our les
sons" says Shell gravely.
"All right" aequiesces Bob, as he be-
gins to hunt for their reading book.
you sit down in the big chair and
have Meg on your lap, like you did
last time; and | can stand beside you"
my dear children, isn't it rather hot
for that kind Of arrangements" ex-
postulates Shell, as Meg springs into
her arms, whilst Bob installs him
self with his arm around her neck.
But the children only know that
they love her, and want to be as near
her as possible; any such minor con
sideration as the state Of the thermo-
meter is a matter of< upreme indiffer-
enee to their inexperienced ana conse-
quently selfish little minus.
That evening, as luck will have It,
when the children come in to dessert,
their father begins to question them as
to their conduct.
81 hope you were both very good
children this mornng?" he says, help
ing each to a plentiful supply Of straw
berries.
NO pa-us wasn't berry good" falt-
ers Meg, with downcast eyes and burn
ing cheeks.
Dear me-that is very sad. Meg!"
says Robert Champley, with a laugh.
ing glance across the table at Ted
How did you misbehaye yourselves?' p
q didn't know tree times four" re-
plies Meg, looking deeply abashed.
THAT was extremely wicked of you,
says her father smiling,
"And, now that Meg has made an
open confession of her sins, we must
hear your enormites, Mr. Bobby
laughs his uncle. How did you Offend
Miss Wilden?'
Bob heayes profound sigh.
81 did somefnk dreadful" he say
in a low shamed voice.
Something dreadful?' repeats Ted
looking intensely amused "Come-ou
with it,"
Papa, dear, don't be angry wild Bol
he didn't know" interposes Meg
suddenly, laying hold of her father
arm and hugging it vigorously
Dear me, this is getting alarm
ing! What did you do, Bob?" ask
MIR. Champley with real interest.
Bob takes a kind of gulp to swal
: low down his fear-and then he say
in an awestruck voice
/ 81 pulled her hair out"
, Good gracious-whose hair?" ask
! his father, looking startled.
Miss Wildens," explains Bob, muc
alarmed at the sensation his announce
ment had created.
, You young yillain!" exclaims hi
uncle. What induced you to attac
a lady like that?"
Il didn't attack her" says poor Bol
e on the verge of sobs. 81 just pulle
! out her pins for fun, when she wa
e setting my copy, and then all her ha
: tumbled down on the carpet"
mot ALL" hastened to explain Meg
! "only a lot of It."
!. Ted Champley is seized with a viz
lent fit Of coughing. which sends hi
over to the window for relief, Will
y his elder brother as suddenly develop
q a cold, which neeessitates a va
e amount of handkerchief play befo
D he speaks again, then he says quiet
to Bob
"Fhat was very ungentlemanly