The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-03-15

me should like to enter hospital.
No young and beautiful woman can
like nursing smallpox cases." rejoins
Robert Champiey.
1t Is the first time in her life that
Shell has been called beautiful" and
a quick flush rises to her white skin
which really renders her so for the
moment. Then she breaks into a
laugh.
1T is chicken-pox-not smallpox"
she says quickly.
Are you sure?" asks her compan-
ion, whilst look of relief lights up
his whole face.
Eyes, quite; for the first twelve hours
the doctor feared otherwise, but there
is no doubt whatever now they are suf
fering from chicken-pOx in its mildest
form; only as Mrs. Pomfret's children
have not had it, we are taking every
precaution."
And you-have you had it," asks
Robert Champley anxiously.
Yes. three years ago." laughs Shell;
so you see"-with a satirical little
smile-"I have been running no great
risk"
''As 1t has turned out" answers her
companion, regarding her steadily;
but can never forget that you nursed
them during those twelve doubtful
hours when all others turned and fled. -
That is nothing" returns Shell care
lessly; then, advancing to the little
cots drawn side by side, she says to
the children, Nov you have got kind
Mrs. Tolley, am going to run away"
No, no. Sell-you stop too" lisps
Meg, catching Shells sleeve in her hot
hand. "Tolley can't tell about the fairy
princess"
"Oh, yes, she cant" hazards Shell,
with laughing glance at Mrs. Tolley.
Besides, I'll find out about more prin-
cesses to tell you when you are well
again." and she bends down to i'm
print farewell kiss on the fevered
face.
Suddenly a gray-coated arm is inter-
posed between Shells red lips and
little Meg's white brow.
Il can allow no kissing!" says Rob
ert Champley decidedly.
Shell draws herself up rigid as a
grenadier, whilst Meg fights feebly with
an intervening arm.
you have run risk enough without
counting it" explains Mr. Champley al
most angrily.
Shell merely shrugs her shoulders.
Mrs. Tolley," she says. turning to
the housekeeper, ''if you will come
into the other room with me l will
explain about the medicine, ot-cetera,
and the doctor will be here shortly, so
you will have full directions from him
about the children"
Mrs. Tolley does as she is asked, and
from that "other room Shell slips
away home without any further inter-
course with Robert Champley.
A fortnight has elapsed In the rus
tic porch of Gorse Cottage two figures
are seated-a laughing-eyed merry girl
in spotless white, tall, stalwart man
in gray tweed The house door is
closed, and the interview is conse-
quently a private one.
II shall call you Pearl" the gem
tleman is saying, with laughing de-
cision.
mo, won't be Pearl; my old name
suits me much better. | am rough and
uneven and hardin fact, thorough
oyster-Shell." pouts the girl rebellious-
ly.
you certainly conducted yourself
like Shell when / hrst knew you;
but adversely opened the Shell, and
then l saw the treasure inside, and
bounced upon my Pearl" laughs the
gentleman.
Il hope / may really prove treasure
to you, but sometimes doubt it." says
Shell with comic candor. "You know
have good many faults-I am quick
tempered and blunt, and some people
think me eccentric"
Robert Champley INDUCES m an
amused laugh.
You will perhaps be surprised to
hear that neither am / perfect" he re-
turns. II can be obstinate, and even
grumpy at times"
Really" asks Shell ina tone of I'M
belief.
"Yes-really and truly" laughs the
gentleman. "And now, PEARL told
you ! was obstinate--I want to know
what induced you to be so particularly
uncivil to Ted and me when we first
returned to Champley House."
WAS very horrid?" she asks eyas-
lively. flushing.
'You snubbed poor Ted so unmerci-
fully that doubt IL he will ever re-
cover his normal state Of placid con-
ceit."
VAIl