The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-03-01
CHAPTER XI.-(Continued.)


means sufficient to leave them COM
fortably provided for" he muses. impa-
tiently. "This house must be white
elephant to Mrs. Widen. and yet she
cannot bear the idea of letting 1t, and
moving into place more suited to her
means! Well, can sympathize with
her weakness. for, though the country
round looks upon her late husband in
the light Of selfish spendthrift,
dare say she still contemplates him as
a departed saint" Then, no answer
having come to his summons, he rings
again, wondering vaguely at the great
stiffness which pervades the house.
Presently, however. that stiffness is
broken by the sound of heavy bolts be-
ding withdrawn, ending with grating
turning OF the iron key; then the door
is opened. and Susan stands revealed.
Il knowed it was you, sir. through
peeping beside the window-blind,' she
explains with slow broad smile, "or
else shouldn't ha' opened.
quite right, Susan" agrees Mr..
Champley. stepping into the hall with
out waiting for an invitation" quite
right to be cautious. / want to speak
TO Miss Shell for a moment. Is she
inY"
"Eh?" asks Susan, putting her hand
behind her ear, and assuming list
ening attitude-for she Is little hard
of hearing, and the question is uttered
rapidly.
Robert Champley again expresses his
wish for an Interview with Shell, and.
what is more, the old woman's eyes
being fixed steadily on him as he makes
his demand. he feels himself growing
red as he makes it. When Susan's
face finally relaxes into broad smile
he feels that 1t would afford him in
finite relief to box her ears.
Miss SHELF" the old woman repeats,
still smiling at the joke. Her isn't
here-her went away two hours ago."
Went away-went where?" de-
mands her visitor. looking bewildered.
Hers gone to join her ma and Miss
Ruby, sure" explains Susan, in tone
which denotes that such question al
most merits contempt Hers main
fanciful, is Miss Shell; and this morn
ing she took it into her head all of
hop as herd so TO the moor, and car
ny along with her the wraps as was
wanted. So nothing would do but she
had me up a-helping pack at six
O'Clock. and running errands for books
to the town till I'm fair off my legs"
'Oh, indeed-gone to the moor, has
'she? Well, ! am very glad to hear
it," answers Robert Champley, with a
strange and unaccountable feeling of
keen disappointment. Mrs Widen,
1 know. was feeling anxious about her
this house is so lonely"
mo, I shan't be lonely" remarks
Susan, who, only catching the last
word. applies IL to herself and her own
affairs. i've got permission from Miss
She'll to have up my married niece and
her baby to keep me company"
A very good arrangement" remarks
Robert Champley in slow thoughtful
voice: then he slips a half-crown into
Susan's hand, and reluctantly retraces
z.
What -the-wisp that girl
Isl" he muses., little essentially "She
might have told me she was going,
and so saved me the trouble OF this
most unnecessary walk"
Man-like. he does not pause to con-
slider that Shell-unless gifted with
second sight-could have known moth
ing whatever of his intended visit, see
ing that he himself decided on it only
On the early morning.
He finds his brother still SPRAYING
on the grass. still half hidden beneath
the Times.
SO soon?" cries Ted, emerging with
tragic air. II opine that your recep-
ton was not all your fancy painted it.;
and yet-let me investigate'-screw
Ing up one eye in scrutinizing way
you look intact; there doesn't seem to
be bite out of you
Probably because Miss Shell was
NOT at home" retorts Robert, with a
lazy yawn.
How providential! If had known
that | might have gone. But where
has the bird flown? trust not in this
direction
No fear of that" laughs Robert,
little sorely. "She has flown to Oak
moor"
t"What a blessing she didn't take
wing before We leftn muses. Ted.
What has the poor girl done to you
that you should hate her so?" asks
Robert, with a sudden burst of wrath.
Ted raises himself on his elbow and
.stares at his brother in solemn won
der.
Il say, the morning air doesn't seem