The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-01-18

. =
full; but his not very clear reasons are
quickly overruled by Ruby and her
mother. so that he leaves the Wilder
ness that evening with cloud on his
usually placid brow.
II wish that woman had more tact"
he confides gloomily to Ted as, hav-
ing donned light overcoats and lighted
their cigars, they wend their way down
the short drive.
Which woman" queries Ted, in
voice Of indifferent wonder.
why, Miss Widen, Of course' Her
common sense might tell her that
would rather have a regular governess
for the children if they need teaching.
There is nothing in the world hate
more than ofiicious meddling with my
affairs. and yet there is nothing that
one is more utterly incapable Of sup
pressing without positive rudeness."
Il say, don't get wayy over it, old
boy" suggests Ted, regarding his
brother with some amazement for
Robert has as rule such an eQuable
temper that it seems strange to find
it even in the least rufiled. For my
own part, | thought it awfully kind
of Miss Widen to propose having the
kids oversize seems very unselfish
and kind-hearted."
Il don't doubt for moment that she
is a most estimable woman" responds
Robert impatiently, but she has no
tact, no common sense; she must have
seen plainly that hated being put un-
der such an obligation. II she insists
upon teaching the children, / don't see
how | can prevent her, only l shall
certainly send her a check at the end
of the quarter for her trouble, and so
make a business matter Of It,"
you can't possibly do that" cries
Ted, in voice of CONSERVATION; Il am
sure she would take it as an insult! If
you want to satisfy your conscience,
the children could make her some pres
ent of jewelry or something of that
Sort
81 don't care so long as she gets
Paid somehow" remarks the elder
brother carelessly and yet with good
deal of annoyance il lis tone.
Ted walks on for some moments in
meditative silence; then he says sud-
denly
Il wonder what has come over Shell
since l met her last. She used to be
one of the jolliest little girls in exist
erce, and now she seems to be full of
selfishness and spite. Surely she can't
else that | can think of would account
for. the utter indifference. which she
seems for the world in general"
Poor little She'll noticed a great
change in her tool" assents Robert
dreamily. "As you say, she used to be
such chatty child, and this evening
her behavior was almost rude; perhaps
she has had something, as you sug-
gest, to sour her. thought she looked
quite pretty in that simple white
dress"
Il might have thought her pretty if
she had condescended to make herself
agreeable" laughs Ted; "but, since she
did nothing but snub me at every turn,
her hair struck me as being remark
ably red. and her temper uncommonly
bad. Wasn't that piece of music an
awful inf1iction?"
"Excruciating!" agrees Robert heart
lily. Her family ought to give her a
hint not to inflict herself on visitors.
or, il she insists on playing she should
limit her performance to Ave minutes"
"Oh. well, must own 1t was rather
my fault" confesses honest Ted. "She
warned me beforehand that shouldn't
want her to play again II I heard her
once"
We'll, she gave us a quantity, IL not
quality" laughs Robert.
Indeed she did" acQuiesces Ted,
with almost groan