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

CHAPTER Iy.-(continued. }

CHAPTER IV.-(Continued)
"You don't seem altogether happy in
here" CHEEKY voice calls out at this
moment, as Shells somewhat hooking
face appears at the open window.
Happy" cries Ruby derisively.
would you feel happy Gagged up with
a couple of young bears? The children
have been behaving shamefully."
''Have they?" returns Shell in tone
which denotes doubt, as she steps in
over the low window ledge, and gently
begins to stroke Meg's hair. which has
become disheveled through her va
srious emotions.
The child nestles up against her side,
,clasping her skirts firmly. as il for pro-
lection, while Bob INDUCES in vigor-
GUS welcoming nod, for he knows he is
not allowed to speak.
Eyes, they have given me quite a
headache" pursues Ruby. pressing her
hand to her brow. IL shall be fit for
nothing the rest of the day If can't get
rid of 1t. l wish you would hear the
/. children read for me-"
"Why should II" answers Shell
bluntly. las you know. | disapprove
of their coming here; and | told you
from the first to expect no help from
met"
Shell speaks In French. that the chill
dren may not understand but Meg
guesses with the quick instinct of
childhood that she is refusing to take
charge of them.
You hear me read, SELF" she lisps
with look Of almost piteous entreaty
on her baby face. Me will be dood."
Shell looks down for a moment with
pnrelenting eyes-then she catches Meg
up in her strong young arms. gives her
a resounding kiss, and turning to Ruby,
says
"All right-if you are tired / don't
mind looking after them till they are
fetchcd-only l don't profess to be
good hand at teaching"
81 wish you wouldn't be so rough
with them" says Ruby, rising from her
Chair with sigh of intense relief.
Now us is happy" cries Bob, slid
ing down from his chair and stretching
his small arms with delight as Ruby
disappears.
but us must go on with our les
sons" says Shell gravely.
'All right" acquiesces Bob. as he be-
gins to hunt for their reading book
you sit down in the big chair and
have Meg on your lap, like you did
last time; and can stand beside you"
My dear children, isn't it rather hot
for that kind of arrangement" ex-
postulates Shell, as Meg springs into
her arms, whilst Bob installs him
self with his arm around her neck.
But the children only know that
they love her. and want to be as near
her as possible; any such minor con-
sideration as the state of the thermo-
meter is matter of supreme indiffer-
ence to their inexperienced and conse-
quently selfish little minds.
That evening, as luck will have it,
when the children come in to dessert,
their father begins to question them as
to their conduct.
Il hope you were both very good
children this morning." he says, help
ing each to plentiful supply of straw
berries.
mo. pa-us wasn't berry good" falt-
fers Meg, with downcast eyes and burn
ing cheeks
Dear me-that Is very sad, Meg"
says Robert Champley. with a laugh.
ing glance across the table at Ted.
How did you misbehave yourselves?"
81 didn't know tree times four" re-
plies Meg, looking deeply abashed.
THAT was extremely wicked Of you,r
says her father smiling.
"And, now that Meg has made an
open confession of her SINS We must
hear your enormities, Mr.. Bobby"
laughs his uncle How did you offend
Miss Wilden?"
Bob heaves profound sigh.
y II did somefink dreadful" he says
in low shamed voice.
Something dreadful" repeats Ted,
looking intensely amused. "Come-out
with it."
Papa, dear, don't be angry wild Bob
he didn't know" interposes Meg,
suddenly, laying hold of her fathers
arm and hugging it vigorously.
Dear me, this is getting alarm
ing! What did you do, Bob?" asks
Mr. Champley with real interest.
Bob takes kind of gulp to swal-
low down his fear-and then he says
in an awestruck voice
81 pulled her hair out"
Good gracious-w whose hair?" asks
his father, looking startled.
miss Wilden's," explains Bob, much
alarmed at the sensation his announce
ment had created.