Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1899-02-02

CHAPTER X-(Continued !

why are you not with Mrs. Widen
and the others?" he continues kindly,
as he follows Shell into the drawing
room, which looks bare and desolate.
for Shell has not found courage even
to renew the flowers during the past
few days
Il did not wish to CO." she ex-
plains vaguely. as she seats herself on
low chair and takes puss on her
knee. II thought it would be SO
stupid and dull on the moor"
Robert Champley stares at her with
an amused smile.
Surely it could not be much duller
than you are here?" he ventures with
a laugh; and then adds almost stern
ly. you ought not to have been left
here alone"
But 1 wouldn't go!" reiterates Shell
decidedly 1T is nobody's fault but my
own; they were all very much vexed
with me for not going, only-only
preferred remaining behind"
II am afraid you must be very de-
termined young lady"
'Yes, / am very obstinate" assents
Shell, applying the most obnoxious
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 a moment there is a look OF
keen annoyance on Robert Champley's
face, then he laughs off the question
gaily
"Oh your sister seems charmed with
the moor; Mrs. Widen not quite so
enchanted; whilst Miss Flower, l hear,
has threatened more than once to run
away! Amongst other troubles, 1t
seems she is suffering intensely from
cold-not having come sufficiently sup
piled with wraps for the keen brac-
ing air. l am charged with a note
begging you to send her all the furs
you can lay your hands on-she de-
clares the Arctic regions must be tropl-
cal compared with Oakmoor!"
"Vi is always shivery," laughs Shell,
as she takes the small tinted note, re-
dolent of orris-root, and scans the
hastily lines. We'll, 1t won't
take me long to gather up her bundle
of wraps How does she want them
sent, l wonder?"
by train to Limply station, thence
by the carrier to Oakford, l suppose,
answers Mr.. Champley briskly; then,
seeing Shells involuntary start of sur
prise, he adds, 81 should have been
very pleased to take them had l been
going that way"
Shell still stares at him in open
eyed amazement.
81 thought you were going to spend
the summer at Oakmoor?" she falters;
and then a faint smile Fuckers up her
mouth-she cannot help feeling anus
ed at the unexpected turn events are
taking.
''Yes; true-I had intended to do so,
answers Robert Champley in slow
thoughtful voice, "but l have changed
my mind. The children seem so thor
oughly happy at the farm that
thought l would take advantage o.
their being there to take short ruI
on the continent Your sister, Mis-
Widen, has been, as usual, particu
larly kind-she has offered to keep al
eye on the little ones-so / feel tha
they are perfectly safe" He finishe
his statement with a deep-drawn sigh
and Shell bushes crimson in the gath
ering twilight as she realizes the fac
that he has been driven abroad by Ru
by's pertinacity.
would they not have been safer a
Champley House with Mrs. Tolley t
look after them?" ventures Shell du
biously.
Again the father sighs.
, "I think the air up there is good fo
Meg" he answers, drawing his han
/ slowly across his brow; the child ha
x.pl la3 I9nh !, a
turned Iistless with the heat; but
don't doubt / shall find them stron
enough on my return-the Oakmoc
r air is better than any medicine"
? "And yet you are running away frol
, it," laughs Shell mischievously.
"a week of it seemed enough Il
) Ted" explains Mr.. Champley, throw
ing the onus of his departure on h
j brothers innocent shoulders. ''W
a thought we should have time for rus
r through Switzerland before the lor
i vacation. Ted has never been to Swi
Zerland."
: "I hope you both will enjoy It," r
!, marks Shell tamely.
4 Then there ensues an awkwal
i pause-neither guest nor hostess seen
II to have any further remark to NAL
:. till Robert Champley eyes, traYeliI
e round the room in search of an o
e ject, light upon the piano.
"You were discoursing very swe
music when l broke in upon your so
tude," he says. with a quick smile.
- '.Yes. l was making as much moi
!. as possible to drown my feeling
. loneliness" laughs Shell.
Perhaps it was indiscreet of me,
- l listened to your music for fully t
u minutes before knocking at the doc
's I am particularly partial to good m
r, sic. and 1t is not often that l get
lie chance of listening to any so W
lie worth hearing. l could not imagi
h who was playing-somehow l was u
a der an erroneous impression that M
10 Widen was par excellence the mu
clan of the family"