The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-03-09
CHAPTER MI.


CHAPTER Mi.
1t is three o'clock. The early din
ner is over at Gorse Cottage; as Violet
puts it, the one excitement of the day
has come to an end.
Before a freshly-lighted fire Mrs.
Widen sits enveloped in a white knit
ted shawl; she has established herself
for an afternoon doze, and looks upon
the whole tolerably comfortable. The
same cannot be said of her niece Vio-
let, who is established beside the low
easement window in a folding Amer
lean chair with carpet seat. A look of
utter boredom mars her pretty face,
whilst her pale pink costume is mar
tistically finished off by WOODEN anti
macassar-striped scarlet and black;
she holds a book in her hands, but
seems to be thinking rather than read
ing, and evidently her thoughts are not
like her dress, rose colored.
Good gracious mel" cries a laugh
ing voice. suddenly breaking in upon
the silence which has reigned in the
room for the last half-hour. What is
the matter? Has everybody got colds
or what, that you are all wrapped up
like Egyptian mummies?'
She'll" cries Mrs. Widen. starting
out Of her half doze with frightened
look, what has happened? Why have
you Gomez"
Only freak Of mine. mother dear!
1. just thought should like mouthful
of bracing air. laughs Shell. as she
kisses her mother half a dozen times,
and then turns scrutinizing gaze all
round the room.
Mrs. Widen returns the kisses with
interest-if one corner of her heart is
warmer than another Shell possesses
that corner
II was afraid something had hap
pened,' she says, with her eyes still
fixed lovingly on her daughters face;
but l am very glad that you decided
to join us-only you might have writ
ten. dear"
"1Qu are welcome as the flowers in
May" cries Violet, who has left her
chair, and at this juncture gives Shell
a cousinly hug. "only You Were an aw-
full goose to come! II ever get back
to Mudford, wild horses shall never
drag me to a moor again."
But what is the matter with the
moore" asks Shell. Il thought it per-
fectly lovely as we came along-so
fresh and free and wild and breezy:
then the village itself is so quaint
could spend six weeks in sketching it,"
"But can't sketch, YOU see," yawns
Violet: land as to its being fresh and
wild and breezy, why, it is like mid
winter. I doubt if I shall ever get
thoroughly warm again. BY the way,
did you see Mr.. Champley. and did you
bring the wraps 1 asked for?''
Il did; and. what is more, brought
your velveteen dress"
You thoughtful darling. l believe
shall find courage to go out Of doors
again, no" you have come"
I'VE certainly do find it very cold
here" interposes Mrs. Wilden's gentle
voice; and the house is so scantilv
furnished that one seems devoid of
comfort
Comfort" cries vi, with a laugh
of scorn. do those American chairs
represent comfort? There is no couch
and no coal-box, the windows and
doors are simply draught-traps, and the
carpets are so full of holes one is in
constant danger of tripping. Wait till
you have seen the window curtains on
a windy night-it is case of perpetual
motion-and. as a climax, have only
two blankets on my bed!"
Poor, prosecuted Vii" laughs Shell,
much amused at her cousins tragic
face. "oHw does Ruby stand it, and
where is she?"
Here she comes!" responds vi, who
is standing with her elbows on the
broad window-sill. "She has been over
at Meadowcroft seeing to the children %
AS she speaks, Miss Widen enters the
room-she starts slightly on seeing
Shell, but there is no look OF welcome
on her face.
What brought you herc?" she asks,
imprinting a ceremony-kiss on Shells
upturned face.
'The carriers wagon" answers Shell
naively.
There issues simultaneous exclama-
ton of surprise and horror from the
ladies present.
What in the world induced you tc
come by the carriers wagon?" de-
mands Ruby, with a face the color OF
beetroot.
"The spirit of economy" answers
Shell coolly. II found fly would BIZ
twelve and sixpence; didn't feel JUS
titled in spending all that on myself
so I came with the carrier-I and thu
parcels together were only one-and
six"
] you were certainly not justified il