The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-02-15

W iiCai hci ldih, INV thCS haNo hioh
aged to exist so many summers
through at the Wilderness without &C
quiring all the maladies to which flesh
is heir.
Shell is not present when the dis
cussion takes place, but her indigna-
tion when the plan is unfolded to her
is unbounded
: you don't mean to say, Ruby, that
you are actually thinking of following
the Champleys to the moor?" she says,
in voice of such infinite scorn that
Ruby Pushes uneasily.
What nonsense you talk, She'll"
she, returns angrily. you seem TO
have the Champleys on the brain. We
are going to the moor because mamma
is in need of bracing air. Is there any
thing so very extraordinary in that?"
There is something extraordinary
in your having selected the same vii
lage," answers Shell decidedly. IF
mamma wants bracing air why not
take her to the North of Devon?"
Because rooms there would be
frightfully expensive; whereas the cot
tage on the moor is mere trifle," re-
spends Ruby loftily.
This argument is unanswerable, for
no one knows better than Shell that
their income is not equal to any great
additional strain. Feeling that any
resistance she can offer will be futile.
Shell shrugs her shoulders and leaves
the room. Nothing remains to her now
but to strike out separate line of
action for herself She lis fully de-
termined about one thing wild horses
shall not drag her to Oakford.
When everything is fully arranged
and packing is at its height, Shell
startles the household
1t will be very awkard having only
three bedrooms" vi remarks in
grumbling tone, for the more she con-
templates six weeks spent away from
civilization the less she likes the pros
pect. 'Of course the servants must
have one; and then we must all cram
into the two others
met at all, dear" Ruby hastens to
explain. Mamma and Shell can have
the big room. and you and I a little
one each; as for Mary, she can do quite
we'll with a -bedstead in the
kitchen"
How delightful for Nary" laughs
Shell. 1T Is to be hoped she has a
strong liking for cockroaches and
crickets."
Now, please, Shell, don't go setting
Mary against the arrangement" says
Ruby imploringly. Mamma, do ask
her not?"
Don't be alarmed" answers Shell,
with a curious little laugh. 81 have
not the slightest intention Of interfer-
ring with any of the arrangements at
the cottage. They don't concern me
in the least, since l shan't be there"
Not be there-what do you mean?
OF course you will be there!" declares
Ruby, looking very much astpnished.
Not unless mamma insists upon it;
and / am sure she won't" laughs
She'll. AS you know, have been set
against the idea from the commence
ment, so mean to remain here
monarch of all l survey'-and have
a right down jolly time of it all to
myself"
What rubbish" cries Ruby impa-
tiently. Susan is going to be put on
board-wages; and she is to give the
house a thorough cleaning during our
absence"
We'll, can be put on board-wages
too; and ! certainly won't prevent
Susan from cleaning the house shaH
be out all day long" responds Shell.
Mamma, please make her go. 1t
would seem so odd her not going"
urges Ruby.
But Mrs. Widen is too easy going
to oppose actively any of her children
Truth to tell, she rather envies Shell
her coming solitude, and even ex-
presses 1t as her opinion that it is a
pity that dreadful cottage was ever
taken. This rebellion on her indulgent
mothers part is quickly talked down
by Ruby, whose constant fear from
the beginning has been that her
scheme will ultimately fall through.
She knows that her mother would
rather stay at home; she is fully aware
that Violet is grooming in spirit over
what she is pleased to term her "com-
ing exile" so she thinks it wiser on
the whole to leave Shell to her own
devices, lest charging on the theme
should stir up revolt in other and
more important quarters
Then there comes a triumphant
morning when, backed up by a vast
| amount of unnecessary luggage. Ruby