The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-02-08
CHAPTER VII.

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use on the previous evning, Ruby once
more bursts in upon her solitude.
Il have brought over one Of Meg S
dresses as a guide; md | think THIS
merino ought to maze up pretily,
she says, unfolding a ,arcel which she
carries, and displaying with some
triumph a tiny cottn frock and
piece of some light Hue material.
Shell pauses in the lct of rubbing an
imaginary spot from me of the spoons
and stares at the gticles produced
with wondering eyes.
What are you falling about she
asks, with bewilderel stress on the
word are"
why, am going to make a dress
for poor little Meg" explains Ruby in
rather impatient and injured tone.
You must have noticed how badly the
poor child's things IT herr"
Shell turns perfectly crimson.
You can't mean what you say,
Ruby?" she cries in voice of horror.
You have surely not been offering to
make clothes for Robert Champley's
children?"
why not?" demands Ruby, with a
faint flush. II consiier it only COM
mon act of charity to help the poor
man when he is in such dire need OF
help"
''Oh, then, he asked you to see about
it," queries Shell, looking relieved.
We'll, not exactly. We were talk
ing about the children, and / remark
ed that the nurse seemed to have no
idea how to dress them properly. or
course he objected to my taking any
trouble in the matter, but could see
that he was distressed by what l told
him. So this morning I went over
and caught the nurse just about to cut
out another monstrosity, so l just
marched off her stuff, and one of Meg's
dresses for a pattern"
Wasn't the nurse a trihe sur
pr1sed?" asks Shell. in dry sarcastic
tone.
''She did seem a little put out" adj
mits Ruby, with a quick flush. Il
shall warn Robert Champley against
that woman. / think he must be mis-
taken in her-she has most shocking
manners"
do you set up as being a judge of
manners?" asks Shell, still sneering.
II set up for knowing when people
are rude and disagreeable," answers
Ruby shortly.
Shell, having carefully disposed of
her last spoon. is turningly silently
from the room, when Ruby calls her
back.
Where are you going?" she asks
Grossly.
Il am going to lock up the silver"
replies Shell, without retracing her
steps.
When you have done that / wish
you would help me to cut out Meg's
dress-you are so much more used to
that kind of thing than I am" says
Ruby, gazing despondently at the little
dress, which she has been turning in
side out to see how 1t is fashioned.
II am really very sorry" answers
Shell coldly; but / can't possibly help
you. / never cut out child's dress in
my life"
"Nonsense-don't be so cross-you
must do it for mel" cries Ruby, be-
ginning to look alarmed. "Of course
| quite reckoned on you, or 1 should
never have undertaken such task. ;"
Il am very sorry" repeats Shell, in
a hard. unfeeling voice; but 1 don 7
in the least understand children s
things. l should advise you to send
for patterns or put 1t out-you will get
no help from me-" And then she
hurrfes from the room, nearly upset
ting Violet, whom she meets in the
passage.
Would you believe it, Vi?-that
wretch Of Shell has turned sulky,"
grumbles Ruby, as her cousin enters
the room. "She vows she won't help
me with Meg's dress, or even cut it
out. Isn't it disagreeable of herr"
What on earth will you do? /
know you can't manage it yourself"
laughs Violet-instead of sympathiz-
ing she seems only amused at her
cousins dilemma.
Il am sure | don't know. Do you
think you could cut one out?" asks
Ruby hopelessiy.
Violet turns the little dress all round
about, then holds it out at arms
length by both sleeves.
Not If hanging were the alterna-
tive" she laughs; sit is quite beyond
me-"
But for Ruby it is no laughing mat
ter-tears of modification and vexa-
ton force themselves into her eyes.
Bah! Don't take 1t to heart
cries Violet ligh.ly-"we'I send for