The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-01-25

gets used to the glare, laughs I'opeiS
Champley as he shakes hands WIN
Shell.
But Shell has become fossilized. Sne
shakes hands Imply, puts on stoiiu
conventional expression, and, drawing
her small figure UP to its fullest helgth'
tries to look exceedingly dignified. Her
efforts are somewhat marred by the
daisies so profusely twisted around her
head; but, as she Is happily forgetiui
of their presence, they do not trouble
her.
Sell. dear. she didn't have blue spec
tacles, did she?" cries Meg, shocked at
such very unromantic suggestion.
81 don't know. am sure responds
Shell in a tone of cold indifference.
But 90 does know" cries Meg, wax
ing impatient, and shaking Sheiis
skirts in her anxiety to have the DOUBT
settled.
81 am afraid my children are weary
ing you, Miss She'll" says their father
rather stiffly. But | have just come
over to carry them away"
Il find the easiest way to keep them
quiet is to tell them Stories" says
Shell bluntly and ungraciously.
II am very sorry that you should be
put to SO much trouble. particularly as
you dislike children" remarks Mr..
Champley, with a curious and rather
satirical glance at her flower-decked
head.
'Oh, it doesn't matter!" answers
She'll condescendingly.
Now then, young monkeys-if you
are ready we may as well start he
says, pointing to the trap which is wait
ing in the avenue. Il am going to take
you for a drive light around by the
sea-"
Take Sell too, pa" pleads Meg,
catching her fathers hand and fairly
jumping with delight.
with pleasure, if she will only con-
sent to CO." is his ready answer, whilst
he darts an amused glance at the girls
flushed vexed face.
mo, thanks-I hate driving" re-
SpOnGS smell curIly.
"You seem to have a great many de-
testations, Miss She'll" says the gen.
tleman sarcastically.
Il have" is Shells laconic answer.
We'll. then, since we can't persuade
you to accompany us. We may as we'll
start. Come children!"-and, making
no effort to shake hands, he raises his
hat politely.
A latent fear that she has been in
hospitable assails Shell.
Wont you go up to the house?"
she asks almost eagerly.
mo, thank you-since l have been
fortunate enough to meet with the
children here. Good morning"
Good morning" answers Shell stiff
ly, and quite ignoring the two little
faces that are turned up to her for
goodbye kiss.
Papa, is us na1ghty?" asks Meg
father.
Il hope not. why?" he demands
absently.
Cause Shell didn't kiss U.S." an
swers Meg In a wondering tone.
kiss you" repeats her father
laughing. "She looked far more likely
to bite"
But, all the same. as he makes the
assertion memory of She'll as he first
came to her, with sparkling eyes and
smiling lips, ard the two children
kneeling beside her, rises before his
mental vision.
We'll, have you got rid Of those
little torments?" asks Ruby languidiy,
looking up from her book as She'll en-
tiers the room.
Their father has just come for
them" answers She'll shortly.
Their father-oh, where Is he?"
cries Ruby, starting from her chair.
II want to consult him about Bcbs
writing; and / must speak about the
nurse; am afraid she Is not very
carefui-Meg's hands were quite dirty
this morning. Where is he-where did
you leave him."
nc 10 uOWH ny the sea, QlQn
leave him-he left me-" answers Shell
drily.
why did no one tell me he was
here?" asks Ruby angrily.
He didn't come to the house; was
in the drive with the children, and
he picked them up there"
How very strange! But it is all
your fault, taking them out the fool
ish way you do. l suppose you were
romping like a tom-boy when he
came
Il was telling them stories"
Anyway you were ridiculous OBJ
ject," says Ruby, with such an OBJ
viously scornful sneer that Shell in
stinctively glances across the room at