The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-02-16

ference respecting his children has b
come almost unbearable-and chang,
which takes him from her immediat,
neighborhood cannot fail to be greeted
with enthusiasm.
1T seems such q pity to leave
Champley House just when the flow.
ers are so beautiful" signs Ruby senti.
mentally.
Il will tell the gardener to send owe,
a basketful twice week." returns
Robert quickly.
Thanks; you are too-too kind,
gushes Ruby; whilst vi, leaning bach
in her chair, smiles lazily at the little
comedy being enacted before her
"Oakmoor," muses. Ruby aloud, after
short pause. ut sounds so rural and
nice, only just a little vague. What
part Of Oakmoor are you going to-"
Cur farm house is about quarter
of mile from the village of Oakford. u
"Oakford-Oakford?" repeats Ruby
II suppose it is very healthy spot?''
81 should think so. Oakford stands
nearly eight hundred feet above the
sea, and there is remarkably good fish
ing in the neighborhood."
ooh, how I wish I could induce
mamma to go there for a time-I am
sure the change would do her good!"
signs Ruby.
II am really afraid you wouldn't like
it," cries Robert, looking alarmed.
There is only the most primitive &C
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.
Il know 1 should mind!" interposes
Violet quickly. 81 hate invigorating
ART gives one no excuse for being
lazy; as for out-of-the-way places, I
abominate them-no society, no IL
brary. perhaps even no piano!"
Il 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 week." laughs Robert
confdentially; cas- for Ted and me, it
is otherwise-we shall have our fish
ing"
Yes. of course Well. am sure I
wish you may enjoy it." says Ruby,
trying to look in earnest; and then,
when their Visitor has taken his de-
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
pcrtant and we'll 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 a slight frown.
How handsome-how lovely! Oh,
how kind!" she cries; then. unfolding
small scrap of paper contained in
the case, she reads the Somewhat
stifl1y -worded note enclosed:
Dear Miss Wilden.-Please accept
the watch from Rob and Meg as a
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, thrusting a
parcel into her lap, cries triumphant
ly-
dat is for 90, dear SELL"
Dear Self looks anything but de-
lighted at the information.
Nonsense, Meg-you have made a
mistake!" she says, so coldly that Meg
begins to pout her under lip prepare
tory to cry.
Me haven't" she says stoutly. Dat
is for oo-pa said So"
Hearing that her parcel is of no in.
trinsic value, Shell condescends to
open it. Having done so. handsome.
ly bound copy of Tennyson's poems
lies exposed to view.
Ito be Continued.)