The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1899-01-07

CHAPTER Iv.-(Contlnued.)


face appears at the open window.
"Happyi" cries Ruby derisively.
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 Meg's hair, which has
become disheveled through her va
rious emotions.
Tue child nestles up against her side,
clasping her skirts firmly. as II for pro-
lection, while Bob INDUCES in vigor-
GUS welcoming nod, for he knows he Is
not allowed to speak.
Eyes, they have given me quite
headache" pursues Ruby, pressing her
hand to her brow. 81 shall be ut for
nothing the rest of the day II can't get
rid OF 1t. l wish you would hear the
children read for me-"
why should II" answers Shell
bluntly. "As you know, 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 understand; but Meg
guesses with the quick instinct OF
childhood that she Is refusing to take
charge OF them.
you hear me read, Self" she lisps
with 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 resoundlng kiss, and turning to Ruby,
says
IAN rlght-lf you are tired I don't
mind looking after them till they are
fetched-only | don't profess to be a
good hand at teaching"
II wish you wouldn't be so rough
with them" says Ruby. rising from her
chair with sigh OF intense relief.
Now us is happyl" 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" acquiesces Bob, as he be-
gins to hunt for their reading book.
you sit down in the big chair and
last time; and can stand beside you"
my dear children, isn't II rather hot
for that kind OF arrangement" 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 BIO as near
sideration as the state Of the thermo-
meter Is a matter OF supreme lndiffer-
ence to their inexperienced and conse-
quently selfish little minds.
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 morning." he says, help
ing each to plentiful supply OF straw
berries.
mo, pa--us wasn't berry good" falt-
ers Meg, with downcast eyes and burn
ing cheeks.
Dear me-that is very sad, Megl"
says Robert Champley, with laugh.
ing glance across the table at Ted,
"How did you mlsbehave yourselves?"
'T 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 enormities, Mr.. Bobby"
laughs his uncle. How did you offend
Miss wildenH"
Bob heaves profound sigh.
81 did somefnk dreadful" he says
in low shamed voice.
something dreadful" repeats Ted,
looking intensely amused. "Come-out
with It,"
Papa, dear. don't be angry wild Bob
he didn't know" interposes Meg,
suddenly. laying hold on her fathers
arm and hugging It vigorously.
Dear me. this is getting alarm
ingl What did you do, Bob?" asks
Mr.. Champley with real interest.
Bob takes a kind of gulp TO swal-
low down his fear-and then he says
IN an awestruck voice
81 pulled her hair out"
Good gracious-whose hair?" asks
his father, looking startled.
Miss Wildens." explains Bob, much
alarmed at the sensation his announce
ment had created.
"You young villaini" exclaims his
uncle. what induced you TO attack
a lady like that?"
II didn't attack her." says poor Bob
on the verge of sobs. 81 Just pulled
out her pins for fun, when she was
setting my copy, and then all her hair
tumbled down on the carpet"
mot ALL" hastened TO explain Meg
only lot OF IT,"
Ted Champley is seized with VIC
lent at Of coughing. which sends him
over TO the window for relief, willis,
his elder brother as suddenly develops
cold, which neoessitates a vas
amount OF handkerchief play before
he speaks again, then be says quietly
to Bob
THAT was very ungentlemanly o
you. and II hear Of your being rud,
again shall punish you"
CHAPTER v.
This threat from his usually indulg
ent father has such depressing effec
ON Bob's spirits that he makes up hi
mind TO eschew temptation for the fu
ture.
miss Widen won't love you II 20,
don't behave Ike a ger .leman," con