El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-13
Shell I I. Ko@zTszI
Widen.

- g 1E 7GA - Is N ~ ~ Is - Y81e
she returns angrily. "You seem t,
have the Champleys on the brain. W.
are going to the moor because MANN;
, is in need of bracing air. Is there any
thing so very extraordinary in that p
There is something extraordinary
in your having selected the same vii
lage," answers Shell decidedly. ''I
mamma wants bracing air why not
take her to the North of Devon?''
Because rooms there would be
frightfully expensive; whereas the cot
tage on the moor is a mere trif1e," re-
spends Ruby Ioftily.
This argument is unanswerable, for
no one knows better than Shell that
their income is not equal to any great
additional strain. Feeling that any
resistance she can offer will be futile,
Shell shrugs her shoulders and leaves
the room. Nothing remains to her now
but to strike out a separate line of
action for herself. She is fully de-
termined about one thing-wild horses
shall not drag her to Oakford
| When everything is fully arranged
and packing is at it's height, Shell
startles the household.
1t will be very awkard having only
| three bedrooms" vi remarks in a
grumbling tone, for the more she con-
templates six weeks spent away from
civilization the less she likes the pros
pect. "Of course the servants must
nave one; and then we must all cram
into the two others
Not at all, DEAR" Ruby hastens to
explain. Mamma and Shell can have
the Dig room, and you and 1 a little
one each; as for Mary, she can do quite
well with a chair-bedstead in the
kitchen"
How delightful for Mary," laughs
shell. 1T is to be hoped she has a
strong liking for cockroaches and
crickets.''
Now, please. Shell, don't go setting
Mary against the arrangement" says
RuDy 1mploringly. Mamma. do ask
her not?''
Don't be alarmed" answers Shell.
with a curious little laugh. 81 have
not the slightest intention of interior
ring with any of the arrangements at
the cottage. They don't concern me
In the least, since I sha'n't be there"
Not be there-what do you mean? |
VI course you will be therei" declares |
Ruby, looking very much astonished. |
Not unless mamma insists upon it; |
and L am sure she won't" laughs |
Shell. AS you know, 1 have been set
against the idea from the commence
ment, so L mean to remain here
monarch of all 1 survey'-and have
a right down jolly time of it all to
myself"
What rubbish" cries Ruby impa-
tlently- Susan is going to be put on |
board-wages; and she is to give the
house a thorough cleaning during our
absence"
We'll. can be put on board-wases
100; and 1 certainly won't prevent
susan from cleaning the house. 1 shah
De out all day long," responds Shell. |
Mamma, please make her go. 1t
would seem so odd her not going"
lrges Ruby
But Mrs. Widen is too easy-going |
o oppose actively any of her children.
Truth to tell, she rather envies Shell
Ter coming solitude, and even ex-
resses it as her opinion that it is a
'ity that dreadful cottage was ever l.
AIKEN. This rebellion on her indulgent |
nother's part is quickly talked doy-
> ruby, whose constant fear from
ne beginning has been that her
cheme will ultimately fall through.
he knows that her mother would =
ather stay at home; she is fully aware |
nat Violet is groaning in spirit over =
hat she is pleased to term her "com-
lg exile" SO she thinks it wiser on | r
he whole to leave Shell to her own {.
evices, lest charging on the theme | =
1ould stir up revolt in other and o
ore important quarters
Then there comes a triumphant | G,
orn1ng when, backed up by a vast ! N
Mount of unnecessary luggage. Ruby n
rr1es OH her three victims-for Mary | n
n truthfully be reckoned in that cate "
'ry-to enjoy the bracing air and
ant accommodation of Oakmoor. +,
Shell, as she stands on the doorstep
I'd waves them a smiling adieu, looks or
lnpersonatlon OF mlschlevous con- tt
ntment ~
BE sure to change the library books M
e moment you get them, and don't
lay a single post in sending them
:, entreats Violet earnestly.
And any groceries we can't get K
ere you must send by Parcels Post" M
DIS Ruby. of
How the Oakmoor postman will | in
ess you!' laughs Shell as she mods | it
sent; and then, springing on to the III
p OF the cab, she imprints a dozen on
sly kisses on her mothers troubled TO
eek. an
Why does she heave a sigh, not 81
thstanding the brightness of the
rning, as she turns to re-enter the
use?
-- do
CHAPTER X
\ week has passed. Shell has grown
al re h.r ,o1f ;. In