The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-01-04
j Shell I 1. Eo1zzszII !:
u
! Widen. ;
responds

Then there is period Of silence, dur
Ing which Shell looks quite stern and
even naughty, while Ruby does not ap-
pear to be. altogether as self satisfied
as she would wish to be-possibly be-
cause it irritates her to see Shell more
at ease than herself. Shell meanwhile
sews steadily on, and .he conversation
threatens to come to sudden termt-
| nation, when a somewhat sarcastic
glance from Shell causes it to revive.
There is no greater mistake than
bringing parcels oneself" pursues
Ruby in an injured tone-"parcels are
such nuisance! and why should one
do errand-boy's work-they are paid
| for it?"
She'll makes no answer, but, bend
| ing over the table, begins to fit tissue
scornful and expressive grimace Of
contempt at her sisters affectation.
Il know you dote on carrying par
| cells; but then you do so many things
| purposely to annoy that it is no use at
tempting to stop YOU" continued Ruby,
signing gently.
Shell still keeps silent, only smiling
knowingly at her pattern as she twists
| it from side to side.
You were very wise not to go down
| into the town this morning" Ruby
| goes on after a short pause. Not
that there was much sense in the ex-
cuse that you hadn't time, for ] see you
| ho 81 Two IT, ha urn,n6c''--
| pointing with her sunshade to large
vase full of lilac which stands in the
center OF the chimney piece ut is so
absurd to put flowers in this horrid
old ROOM
She'll turns her head sharply and
smiles at the mauve and white plumes
behind her.
| II just couldn't resist them" she
says softly. II took rush round the
| grounds before setting to work, and
felt l must bring bit of sweetness
back with me-"
Ruby is not listening to the explana-
ton; her eyes are gazing absently
through one Of the open windows.
| 1--WE heard some news in the town."
she observes with a deliberate sudden
ness.
did your" returns Shell carelessly,
as she continues to adjust her pins
"Yes-Robert Champley is expected
home next week."
rs hep" says Shell. pausing sudden
ly in her work and opening her green
eyes to their fullest extent. Then she
continues musingly-"P fellow"
Your pity seems rather ridiculous"
observes Ruby impatiently. "A man
with over two thousand year is not
to be pitied."
Not even when he has lost the only
person who could make that two thou
sand year worth having?" queries
Shell, with curl of her lip.
| Absurd! He must have got over
his wife's death by this time" says
Ruby, tapping her sunshade restlessly
on the carpet; besides, he has his
| children"
Poor little things." muses. Shell,
| with short sigh.
| why poor? OF course he will
marry again. and they will be we'll
looked after"
''Will they?" says Shell obviously.
Il am sure l hope So besides, 1t re-
mains to be proved that Robert Champ
| ley will marry again-I think it very
doubtful myself"
| AS il you, a child Of nineteen,
could possibly form an opinion. ex-
claims Ruby Why. you were a per-
feet baby when his wife died. won
der that you can even remember her."
Let me see-I must have been six
teen,' remarks Shell, with provoking
accuracy, because l know it happened
four years since; and shall be twenty
the day after tomorrow"
'Of course you would remember him
IL didn't exactly mean that" owns
Ruby-"only at that age you could not
possibly understand much Of his char
acter. Now poor Clara used to say
that comprehended him so thorough
ly-nearly as well as she did. You
know Clara and were close friends"
II always thought Mrs Champiey
was Garnets great friend" observes
Shell. with just a shade of unbelief in
| her tone
AT one time" admits Ruby in some
confusion; only after Garnet married
and went to India l took her place"
No one person can take another's
place says Shell decidedly. 81 know
Garnet correspondent with Mrs. Champ
ley up to the time of her DEATH have
| often heard mamma say So"
Il am very glad that he is coming
home pursues Ruby, ignoring this
last allusinn of her sisters inAir.na..