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


Il assure you their coming over SO fire.
quently has been a great pleasure to
me-"
1T is very good of you to say So"
returns Robert, In tone which does
not convey any great amount of belief
in her statement; land intend to send
over the little ones tomorrow morning
to thank you themselves"
81 am sure feel thanked more than
enough already" murmurs Ruby.
II have been fortunate enough to
secure very comfortable rooms In a
farm house on Oakmoor," pursues
Robert Champley, with his eyes fixed
persistently upon the carpet. 1.-THE air
seems pure and bracing, and / hope
that a couple OF months spent there
will benefit them wonderfully"
CHAPTER VIII.
Are you going with Them" asks
Ruby sweetly.
''Yes-oh, yes!" assents the gentle
man with gusto. He cannot conceal
his feeling of delight at the coming
change; indeed, of late Ruby's inter
ference respecting his children has be-
come almost unbearable-and change
which takes him from her immediate
neighborhood cannot fail to be greeted
with enthusiasm.
1T seems such pity to leave
Champley House just when the flow
ers are so beautiful" signs Ruby senti-
mentally.
II will tell the gardener to send over
basketful twice week." returns
Robert quickly.
Thanks; you are too-too kind"
gushes Ruby; whilst vi, leaning back
in her chair, smiles lazily at the little
comedy being enacted before her.
"Oakmoor," muses. Ruby aloud, after
short pause. 1T sounds so rural and
nice, only just little vague. What
part of Oakmoor are you going to-"
Our farm house is about quarter
OF mile from the village Of Oakford.'
Oakford-Oakford?" repeats Ruby.
II suppose it is very healthy spot?"
II should think so. Oakford stands
nearly eight hundred feet above the
sea, and there is remarkably good fish
ing in the neighborhood."
"Oh, how | wish | could induce
mamma to go there for time-I am
sure the change would do her good!"
signs Ruby.
81 am really afraid you wouldn't like
it," cries Robert, looking alarmed.
There is only the most primitive ac-
commodations to be had. and-and
ladies are not used to roughing it.
THAT is just like you-always so
thoughtful" says Ruby in rather an
absent tone; "but / don't think we
should mind roughing it little, since
the air is so invigorating."
81 know l should mind" interposes
Violet quickly. Il hate invigorating
ART gives one no excuse for being
lazy; as for out-of-the-way places,
abominate them-no society, no IL
brary, perhaps even no piano"
II don't imagine that there is any
hope of our going" says Ruby, look
ing blankly at her cousin.
There is no need to regret that
fact-you would be tired OF the place
in less than a week." laughs Robert
confidentially; "as for Ted and me, 1t
Is otherwise-we shall have our fish
ing"
Eyes, OF course. Well, am sure
wish you may enjoy It," says Ruby,
trying to look in earnest; and then,
uhan hai vic hoc fakan his na-
parture, she falls into a meditative
mood, from which Wis bantering re-
marks are powerless to rouse her.
On the following morning Bob and
Meg arrive with the nurse in their
little donkey-trap, looking very i'm
portant and well pleased with them
selves.
Please, Miss Widen, we have come
to wish you good-by; and please take
this with our love-" says Bob, striding
first into the room and repeating the
words that have been drilled into him
with slight frown.
How handsome-how lovely! Oh.
how kindr she cries; then, unfolding
small scrap of paper contained in
the case, she reads the somewhat
stiffiy-worded note enclosed:
Dear Miss Wilden.--Please accept
the watch from Rob and Meg as
small token of their regard and graft
tude. Yours truly,
ROBERT CHAMPLEY."
Whilst Mrs. Widen and Violet are
admiring the watch, and Ruby is
perusing the note with feeling OF
disappointment, notwithstanding the
costliness of her present, Meg makes
her way to Shell, and, thrIsting
MARCEL into nor Ian cries friIlmnhant-