]a romance]
Wilden.
CHAPTER VII.
One the following morning, ns Shell
In ratefully folding In tissue-paper the
superfluous tea-spoons brought Into
nee on the previous evening, Ruby once
more buiwtfc In upon her solitude,
"I have brought over one of Meg’*
dreneeii ■* a guide; and I think this
merino ought to make up prettily,”
she *aye, unfolding a parcel which «he
carries, and dieplaying with Borne
triumph a tiny cotton frock and a
piece of acme light blue material.
Shell pauaea In the act of rubbing an
imaginary apot from one of the apoona
•nd atarea at the articles produced
with wondering eyes.
“What are you talking about?" ahe
aaka. with bewildered atrcea on the
word "are."
"Why, I am going to make a dress
for poor little Meg," explains Ruby In
ft rather impatient aud Injured tone.
•'You must have noticed how badly the
poor child's things fit her?”
Shall turn* perfectly crlmaon.
“You can’t mean what you aay,
nuby?” aha erlea In a voice of horror.
“You have surely not been offering to
make clothes for Robert Champley’s
cblldron?"
“Why not?” demands Ruby, with a
faint flush. “I consider It only a com
mon act of charity to help the poor
man when he la In such dire need of
help."
“Oh, then, he asked you to nee about
It?" queries Shell, looking relieved.
.“Well, not exactly. We were talk
ing about the children, and I remark
ed that the nurse seemed to have no
Idea how to dress them properly. Of
course ha objected to my taking any
trouble In the matter, but 1 could «eo
that he was dlstresned by what I told
him. 80 this morning I went over
and caught the nurae Just about to cut
out another monstrosity, so I Just
marched off her stuff, and one of Meg a
dresser for a pattern."
"V. asn’t the nurse a trifle sur
prised?" asks Shell, In dry aarcastlc
tone.
“She did seem a little put out," ad
mits Ruby, with a quick flush. "I
shall warn Robert Champley against
that woman. I think he must be mis
taken In her—she has most shocking
manners."
vo you sol up ns Doing a juage oi
manners?" asks Shell, still sneering.
“I set up for knowing when people
are rude and disagreeable," answers
Ruby shortly.
Shell, having carefully disposed of
her last spoon, Is turnlngly silently
from the room, when Ruby calls her
hark.
"Where are you going?" she asks
crossly.
"I am going to ldck up the silver,”
replies Shell, without retracing her
ateps.
"When you have done that I wish
you would help mo to cut out Meg’s
dress—you are so much more used td
that kind of thing than I am,” ttuys
Ruby, gazing despondently at the little
dress, which she has been turning In
side out to see how it Is fashioned.
“I am really very sorry," answers
fihcll coldly; "but I can't possibly help
you. I never cut out a child's dress in
my life."
"Nonsense—don’t be so cross—you
must do It for me!" cries Ruby, be
ginning to look alarmed. "Of course
I quite reckoned on you, or I should
never have undertaken such a task."
"I am very sorry." repeats Shell, In
a hard, unfeeling voice; “but I don’t
la the least understand children's
things. I should advise you to send
for patterns or put It out—you will got
no help from me." And then she
hurrlro from the room, nearly upset
ting Violet, whom she meets In the
passage.
’’Would you believe it, VI?—that
wretch of a Shell has turned sulky,"
grumbles Ruby, as her cousin enters
the room. "She vows she won’t help
ine with Meg's dress, or even cut It
out. Isn’t It disagreeable of her?"
“What on earth will you do? 1
know you can't manage It yourself,"
laughs Violet —Instead of sympathls
tog she seems only amused at her
cousin's dilemma.
"I am sure I don’t know. T>o you
think you could cut mm out?" asks
Ruby hopelessly.
Violet turns the little dm* all round
about, then holds It out at arm's
length by both sleeves.
"Not If hanging were the alterna
tive." she laughs; "It Is quite beyond
at"
Hut tor Ruby It Is no laughing mat
ter - tears of mortification and v*»a
tlon force themselves Into her eyes.
"Hah I I ain't take It to heart,"
crlee Violet lightly "well send tor
some patterns, and then make an os
tentatious show of cuttlug It out In
ItheH's presence Mhe won't lie sble
go withstand tbst, I know, for she
halve to see guod stuff wasted "
And Violet's ru*e proves successful
IV when, a tow days later, having
obtained son* patterns from l.oudou.
Huby deliberately bra ns to strange
them the wrong way of the stuff
Htaell Iwpatleaily comes to Ike res. ue,
and. having ears taken po««Meloa of
the grlnmtm wields them ta the end
Having *w* nut the dress, she ».«*n d*
tides to make It sh < Is n good work
woman, and never m/wr* has soak a
dainty, enticing bit of work come In
her way. She feels perfectly wife in
her undertaking. Huhy la scarcely
likely to blazon forth her own Incom
petence.
One afternoon, n* she sit* at the
open window smiling over her work,
Robert Champley cornea sauntering
thoughtfully tip the short avenue of
the Wilderness Huddenly Bheil, all
unconscious of his close proximity,
breaks Into eong, it Is a bright,
cheery little ditty that bursts from her
Ups, and her unseen listener pauses
amidst the shrubs and walls for the
end. Inning Idly against a strong
young lilac, he not only listens to the
words with an amused smile, but
watches the busy needle flashing In
and out of her work. She makes a
vivid picture seen between the breaks
of greenery, with her brilliant hair,
snow-white skin, and the pat<h of
blue on her lap. Thin Is th.i second
time he has come upon Shell unawares,
and somehow be lakes keen delight In
so surprising her her quick change
of manner when she Is discovered, al
though he cannot understand it,
amused him.
"A very good song, and very well
sung! Ilravo, Miss Shell und please
forgive me for listening!" he says,
atcpplng up to the window hat In
hand, when the last note has died
away.
"Oh!" cries Shell, becoming furious
ly red; and then she throws her work
upon the floor and conceals It with her
dress.
The sudden disappearance of the
patch of blue attracts his attention far
more than If she had left It on her
knee, ond a somewhat contemptuous
look steals Into his eyes as he comes to
the conclusion that Shell Is ashamed
of being caught dressmaking. It sets
him Into a teasing mood.
"Mias Shell, If you ever get an offer
of Jewelry, I advise you to choose tur
quols," he says, with his keen eyes
fixed steadily upon the girl's burning
cheeks.
"Turquol* why? I am not going to
get any Jewelry!" stammers Shell, too
confused and surprised to And a ready
answer.
"Uecnuse pale bln** suit* you to per
fection," answers Mr. Champley with
a meaning nod; and then, Intensely
amused at her bewildered look, he
proceeds on his way.
"Could he have seen my work?"
muses Hhell, as she withdraws It from
its hiding place and carefully shakos
out the delicate lace trimming, which
has become a little crushed from her
summary treatment. "I don’t Imagine
he could—and yet what made him talk
about pale blue?"
In the meantime Mr. Champley haa
proceeded round to the hall door, and
been shown by the trim housemaid
Into the cool and airy drawing-room,
where he finds Violet Flower burled In
the depths of a low, cozy chair and
engrossed with a novel.
"Tell Miss Wllden that Mr. Champ
loy Is here,” she soya to the maid, aa
she half riaea from her chair and
stretches out a lazy white band lu
greeting.
"Pray don’t trouble to rise.'* laughs
Robert, aa be hastens to her aide,
"You looked ao exquisitely happy when
1 came In that 1 should be sorry to
disturb you.”
"I am always happy when J nm do
ing nothing." answers Violet naively.
"This hot weather Is so frightfully
enervating that no one in the house
has a spark of energy left excepting
Hhell."
"You are not altogether lazy—you
were reading,” says Mr, Champley po
litely.
"Yea—I have Just life enough left to
tnke tn ideas as they are put before
me," responds VI, with a lazy little
yawn, "though I find It a great ex
ertion holding up a book."
"You should get one of those won
derful literary machines which one
sees advertised,” laughs Robert
Champley, turning to greet Ruby, who
has Just entered the room. "I came
o\er. Mis* Wllden. expressly to thank
you for all your kindness to my chil
dren," he ts’glns in a formal tone as
he reseats himself.
"Oh, please don’t mention It!” an
swers Ruby, easting down her eyes.
“1 assure you their coming over so fre
quently has been a great pleasure to
ms.”
"It la very good of you to say so."
returns Robert, In a tone which dies
not convey any great amount of belief
tn her statement; "and I intend to send
over the little one* tomorrow morning
to thank you theuiselvea”
"I am sure I feel thanked more than
enough already," tnurniurs Ruby,
"I have been fortunate enough to
secure very comfortable rooms In a
farm house on Oakmcmr," pursues
Robert Champley. with hi* ev < tt«*<f
persistently upon the carpet "The air
see me pure and bracing, and I hope
that a couple of months spent there
• 111 henedt them wonderfully."
i'll AIT KM VIII
"Are »«<U going with tUmt* as.
Ruhr sweetly.
“Yes oh, yes’” assents the gentle
man with gusto He caanot *••»*»* eat
hie fee I lag of delight at the e»wiag
[ change, ludewd, of •* .e Ruby a inter
ferenea respecting hie children has be
come almost unbearable- and change
which take* him from her Immediate
neighborhood cannot fall to be greeted
with enthusiasm.
“It seems such a pity to leave
Champley Mouse Just when the flow
er* are go beautiful," sighs Ituby senti
mentally.
"I will tell the gardener to send over
a basketful twice a week," return*
Robert quickly,
"Thanks; you are too-too kind,"
gushes Ruby; whilst VI, leaning bark
In her chair, smiles lazily at the little
comedy being enacted before her.
“Oakmoor," mures Ruby aloud, after
a short pause. “It nnunda so rural and
nice, only Just a little vague. What
pert, of, Oakmoor are you going to?"
“Our farm house Is about a quarter
of a mile from the village of Oakford,"
“Oakford Oakford?” repeats Ruby,
“1 suppoae It Is a very healthy spot?"
“1 should think so. Oakford stands
nesrly eight, hundred fret above the
sea, and there la remarkably good fish
ftig In the neighborhood."
"Oh, how I wish I could Induce
mamma to go there for a time- I urn
aure the change would do her gooiH"
•Jghs Ruby.
"I am really afraid you wouldn't tike
It," erlea Robert, looking alarmed,
"There la only ihe most primitive ac
commodation** to be bad, and and
ladles are not used to roughing It."
"That Is Just like you ulways so
thoughtful," says Ituby In rather an
absent tone; "but I don't think wo
should mind roughing It n little, alnc*
the air la so Invigorating."
"I know I should inlnd!" Interpose*
Violet quickly. “I bate Invigorating
air it gives one no excuse for being
lazy; as for out-of-the-way places, I
abominate them no society, no li
brary, perhaps even no piano!"
"I don’t imagine that there Is at*
hope of our going," says Ruby, laos
Ing blankly at her cousin.
“There Is no need to regret that
fact- you would be tlrei of the place
In less than a week," laughs Robert
confidentially; “an for Ted and me. It
Is otherwise we shall have our fish
ing.”
“Yes, of courae. Well. I am sure I
wish you may enjoy It," says Ruby,
trying to look In earnest; and then,
when their vlslttor has taken his de
parture. she falls Into a meditative
mood, from which Vi’s bantering re
marks are powerless to rouse her.
On the following morning Hob and
Meg arrive with the nurse In their
little donkey trap, looking very Im
portant and well pleased with tbern
aelves.
"I'lease, Miss WlUlen, we have come
to wish you good-by; and please take
this with our love,” say* Hob, striding
first Into the room and repeating the
words that have been drilled Into him
with a slight frown.
"How handsome how lovely! Ob,
how kind!” Hhe cries; then, unfolding
a smull scrap of paper contained In
the case, she reads the somewhat
stiffly-worded note eneloeed:
"Dear Mlsa Wllden. Please accept
the watch from Rob and Meg as a
small token of their regard and grati
tude. Youra truly,
"RORERT t’HAMFDKY."
Whilst Mrs. Wllden and Violet are
admiring the watch, and Ituby la
perusing the note with a feeling of
disappointment, notwithstanding the
costliness of her present, Meg makes
her way to Shell, and, thrusting a
parcel Into her lap, erlea triumphant
ly—
"l>at la for oo, dear Sell!"
"Dear Hell" 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 prepara
tory to a cry.
"Me haven’t!" she says stoutly. Dat
Is tor oo—pa said so.”
Hearing that her parcel la of no In
trinsic value, HIihII condescends to
open It. Having done ao. a handsome
ly bound copy of Tennyson's poems
lies exposed to view.
(To be Continued.)
MEN ARE NOT THC MOTIVE.
Wiimen !»<• Nut Don Tlielr I'rettlett '
(Truck* tu Win Masculine H in lie*.
There In a fallacy—confined, though,
to the masculine half of society—and
that U that women drees for men. Of
comae all women know better than I
that and laugh at It In their sleevea aa
the moat ridiculous of Ideas. Most of
them would like, though, to let men
go on thinking an, but 1 don't rare, so
I'»n going to tell, says a woman In the
St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1 think any
creature who belongs to such a stupid
sex ought not to be allowed—-If there
Is any way of enlightening him—to go
on thinking that any woman would
throw away Unto and material to dress
fur him. I*t me tell you. please, what
I heard once. It was this' v woman
of tuy acquaintance was clothed In a
new and most beautiful dinner suit,
which had cost hundreds of dollars,
■’ho wore It (or the first time with an
ulr of a queen ah, me. who couldn't
have worn It so? and looked ss If
Its had Just stepped down out of the
latest Tarlatan fashion sheet A man
looked at her a man who had teethed
an ags when he ought to have had dis
cretion sad who was still uot In hit
dotaat -looked at her and aald:
Thais your last winter s suit, Is It
not* t don't think I need to tall you j
noire but I will, tnother human adult
uf the same mi told me once that M j
sown w«e vert t-« tutiful It waa s'
[ tun cent lawn that I n.»*«lf had mads
i do, uf course, all women save up thali
j beat riot ben f t people who cn»j ap
I pre« .ate t k* no an I those people are uo(
■tea,
" 111 - .■
Why isn't « wedding Is the drawing
| hvs s parlor taaUkt
Shell ESEiii
Wilden.
CHAPTER VIII. (Continued.I
Hhell flushes crimson; lh« one wish
of her girlhood has been to possess a
i volume of Tennyson all her own. Vet,
now that she atanda with the treasure
In her hand, a atrange perversity
makes her feel more than half Inclined
to throat It hark upon the donor.
“It la very kind of you, Bob and
Meg,” ahe naya, In a tone of angry Im
patience; "but I cannot think of ac
cepting your preaent. Take It home
and keep It until you are grown up -
then you will he able to underatand
It!"
"Don’t you like It, then?” queries
Hob, looking anxloua und dial reward.
”l*a thought you would ruther have a
book; but I'll tell him to Mend you a
watch Inatead.”
Thla threatened alternative sounds
ao very alarming that Bhell hastens to
explain to the children her detestation
of watcliea In general and her un
bounded admiration of poet*.
“What are you making such a chat
ter and fuww about, Bhell?" Interposes
Hu by, croaalng to her alater’a aide and
taking up the volume In dlapute. "Oh,
only u copy of Tennyson!’' with a con
temptuoua curl of her Up at the plain
though handaome binding. "I wonder
what. Induced Robert (’hampley to gend
you that? You have not been devot
ing youraelf to hla children.”
“No, I ehould hope not,” anawera
Shell, with emphaala. “Neither do I
want any preaent I ahall return It."
"Return It? What conceited non
aenae!” ncnffa Ruby, "I attppoae he
thought aome alight acknowledgment
waa due to you for playing with the
children occasionally. If you want to
make yourcelf ubaurd and conaplcuoua,
of eiMirae you will return It.”
On the next morning the ('hampley
houaehold take their departure for the
moor. Ruby cbancea to be near the
deaerted lodge of the Wilderneaa when
the wagonette containing the two
brothera, the children and the nurae
drlvea by.
Hhe make* a dainty picture, stand
ing In the shade of the cheafnut tree
In her pale-blue morning dress, and
waving her handkerchief in token of
adieu. The gentlemen raise their hats
and smile, the children shout, the
nurse gives a defiant snort, and the
next moment they are out of sight.
"Two months of freedom!” thinks
Robert ('hampley to himself. "On my
return home I must make other ar
ia ngoments."
CHAPTER IX.
"Mamma, then* Ih h most enticing
cottage to be let at Oakford," crlea
Huby, glancing up excitedly from the
paper In her bund. "Listen! ‘Oakford.
To he let, furnished, charming cottage
reeldence—five rooms, large garden,
every convenience, rent moderate, air
bracing, close to moor.' ”
"Yea, my dear,” responds Mrs. Wil
der! In mild aurprUe. “Well, what
about It? Do you know of any one
wanting a cottage?”
"I thought it might ault us,” replies
Iluby, u little crestfallen.
"It certainly might If we wanted to
go there,” asserts Mrs. Wllden with a
good-tempered laugh; "but, as you
know, Huby, I have a great dislike to
• caving home.”
"But, mamma, I think you require
change of air," persists Ruby with un
wonted affection. "You have been Buf
fering so frightfully from neuralgia all
spring. 1 am sure your nerves want
bracing. Why not take this cottage
for a month or mo? Change la good
for everybody."
Mra Wllden shaken her head, but
not after a very determined fashion.
“What do you say, VI?" she asks,
turning to her niece.
“Well. 1 really don't think I care
two straws either way,” answers Mine
Flower laxily. "If somebody will pack
my things I am willing to go, but I
couldn't undertake to pack them my
self.”
"Now that Juirt shows how much
you need change," cries Huby eagerly.
"Your whole system wants stirring up
before we had been a week ou the
moor you would be as brisk as a
bee."
Should I?” suys Violet, with a
dubious laugh. ”1 very much doubt
it; hut | atu willing to try the experi
ment."
Truth to tell, If Violet Flower con
sulted her own feelings, she would far
rather retuuiu In her present comfort
able quarters, hut Ituby having con
tided to hei a scheme for vpo'ng the
moor if possible, she has ionised
not to oppose the plan.
There Is a fair amount of resistance
on Mrs Wllden * part, but her euer
geitr daughter overrules encli and
every obstacle ae It la preaenled to her.
Her eloquence le eo great lit advocat
tit it a change that one would wonder,
to hear her talk, how they have mau
aged to exist so many summer*
through al the Wilderness without ae
q. tiling all the uial.td.i-i to which It "ill
hi heir
shell la not present when the die
elusion takes pla<< h Ioi Indiana
lion when the plan le unfolded to her
la unhoundetf
"You don't mean to eay, Ituby, that
ton are actually thiakiag of following
iha chantpleya to the moor?" she way*
In a voice of Milch Infinite acorn that
Kilby flushes uneasily,
"What nonsense you talk, Shell!"
aha returns angrily. "You Haem to
have the rhampleys on the brain. We
are going to the moor because mamma
In In need of bracing air. !• there any
thing 00 very extraordinary In that?"
"There In something extraordinary
In your having delected the name vil
lage,” answer* Shell decidedly. "If
mutnnia wants bracing air why not
tuke her to the North of Devon?"
"llecaiiHe room* there would bo
frightfully expensive; whereas the cot
tage on the moor Ih a mere trifle," re
sponds Kuby loftily.
This argument In unanswerable, for
'no one knows better titan Shell that
their Income la not er|iial to any great
additional strain. Feeling that any
resistance Mho can offer will be futile,
Shell shrugs her shoulders and leaves
the room. Nothing remains to her now
but to strike out a separate line of
action for herself. She Is fully de
termined about one thing wild horses
ahall not drag her to Oakford,
When everything In fully arranged
and pecking Is at Its height, Shell
startles the household,
"it will be very awkard having only
three bed-rooms," VI remarks In a
grumbling tone, for the more she con
templates ulx wrekti 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.”
"Not at all, dear," Ruby hastens to
explain. "Mammu and Shell can have
the big room, and you and I a little
one each; as for Mary, she can do (julte
well with a chair-bedstead In the
kitchen."
"How delightful for Mary!" laughs
Shell, "It 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
Kilby Imploringly, "Mamma, do ask
her not?"
• ton t dp alarmed, answer* Shell,
with a curious little laugh. "I have
not the slightest Intention of Interfer
rlng with any of the arrangements at
the cottage. They don't concern me
In the least, alnee I sha n't be there.”
"Not be there what do you mean?
Of course you will he there!” declare*
Kilby, looking very much astonished,
"Not unless mamma Insists upon It;
and I am sure she won't,” laughs
•Shell. “Ah you know, J have been set.
against the Idea from the commence
ment, so I mean to remain here
‘monarch of all I survey' and have
a right down Jolly time of It all to
myself.”
"What rubbish!” cries Kilby Impa
tiently. "Susan la going to be put on
board-wages; and she Is to give the
house a thorough cleaning during our
absence,”
"Well, I can be put on board-w'ages
too; and I certainly won't prevent
Susan from (leaning the house. I shaft
be out ull day long,” responds Shell.
“Mamma, please make her go. It
would seem so odd her not going,"
urge* Ituby.
But Mrs. Wllden i« too easy-going
to oppose actively any of her children.
Truth to tell, she rather envies Shell
her coming solitude, and even ex
presses It as her opinion that It Is a
pity that dreadful cottage was ever
taken. This rebellion on her Indulgent
mother's 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 groaning In spirit over
what she Is pleased to term her “com
ing exile;” so she thinks ft wiser ou
the whole to leave Shell to her own
devices, lest enlarging on the theme
should stir up revolt In other and
more important quarters.
Then (here comes n triumphant
morning when, hacked up by a vast
amount of unnecessary luggage, Ituby
carries off her three victims for Mary
can truthfully be reckoned In that cate
gory to eujoy the bracing air and
scant accommodation of Oukinoor.
Shell, as she stands on the doorstep
and waves them a smiling adieu, looks
the Impsrsouatlou of mischievous con
tentment.
“Be sure to cha.igc the library hooks
the moment you get them, and don't
delay * single post In sending them
off,'1 entreats Violet earnestly.
' And ull) groceries we can't get
there you must send hy 1‘urceU I’o-i,"
adds Huh).
'How the Oakmoor postman will
hies# you!” laughs Shell as she nod*
assent; and then, springing on to the
step of the tali, she Imprints a doacti
hasty klsse* on her mother's tumbled
i heek.
Why dues she hear* a sigh not
withstanding the Urlghiuw** ot the
morning as she turns to re-enter the
house*
t'llAII Kit X
A Week has passed Nhelt has grows
; tired of het self Imposed unlit n<lr the
Mg Imre, echoing rooms have be
tome hateful to her, Kveu the gruunde
seem changed and unfamiliar The
• ertaiui) that there !• nu > ha ace of
| interruption to her lonely musing*, nl
fli-Bt 80 delightful, now seems to All
her usually cheerful spirit with a sense
of depression. Until robbed of all com
panionship she never guessed what a
sociable creature she was. Happy
would she be If even the most Inane
and common-place caller would come
to break the monotony of her endless
days! Hut It Is understood In the
neighborhood that the family at the
Wilderness are away; bo from mom
till night Shell wanders aimlessly ^
about, with only the gray cat to bear
her company.
It Is evening. Shell Is even more
desolate than her wont, Susan has
asked permission to go Into Mudford to
make a few purchases, and already
she hart been absent over three hours.
It Is now seven o'clock, and the empty
house seems to Shell’s excited Imagi
nation like a haunted place. She
fancies she hears hurrying through the
passages. A door slams, and her heart
stands still with fear. Shell however
Is not one to give wsy to morbid feel
ings, and, rousing herself from her
book, she starts on a tour of Inspec
tion through the house, shutting all
wlndowa and securely barring alt
doors on her way; then, with a re
newed sense of security, she returns
to the drawing-room and determines
to while away the time with music,
Shell Is one of those sensitive folk
who never play so well us when alone •
she cannot pour her whole heart into
her music when she has listeners.
Now, with the house to herself, she
soon becomes lost to her surroundings,
the room echoes to such hoart
•Ujfelng atralns ns It rarely falls to
dVs lot to hear.
Suddenly however her music comes
to an end, and her heart throbs with
terror, for through the empty hsll
echoes the sonorous thunder of the
big Iron knocker.
Shell's first impulse is to take no
notice- to hide herself or to make her
escape by some back window; then ^
her natural good sense returns, and
she laughs In a nervoiw manner at her
fears and with fast-beating heart ad
vances Into the hall,
"Is that you, Susan?” she asks, but
without unfastening the heavy chain.
There comes no answer save a vlg
orous ring at the bell.
“Who Is there?” demands Shell, this
time In a firmer tone and one more
likely to penetrate the thick oak
panels.
"A messenger from Mrs. Wllden,”
answers u voice which Is somehow
familiar to Hhell's ears.
With trembling hands she shoots
back the heavy bolts, and. taking down
the chain, opens the door. There she
stand* pale, big-eyed, and scared
looking, before Robert Champley.
"Oh, what a fright you gave me!” Is
her first Involuntary exclamation.
"A fright! Mow so? What have I
done?” queries her visitor, looking
much surprised.
"Oh, nothing!” answers Shell, whilst
the ghost of a smile flickers round her
still colorless lips. "It was my own
foolishness; but I was not expecting
any one excepting .Susan, and your
knock frightened me. I * suppose I
must be getting nervous"- with a self
depreciating little laugh.
"Nervous? I should think so!” cries
Robert wonderlngiy. He has taken
her hand in greeting, and feels It cold
and trembling In his warm grasp. "Hut
surely you arc not alone In the house?"
"Only for a short time; I am expect
ing Busan back every minute,” ex
plains Hhell, who feels heartily
ushamed of her late weakness.
Her visitor looks grave.
"You ought not to be left alone in
a house like this,” he *ays very de
cidedly. "Why, you are trembling
still!"
His words remind Shell that he still
has possession of her hand—with a
little impatient movement she with
draws it.
(To be Continued.)
INDIANS AS RUNNERS.
lonUarm of Ttislr Keiunrkalile Puvtri
of Kndurance.
General Cook I* quoted by Btlward 8.
Rills us having seen an Apache lope
for 1,500 feet up the side of a mountain
without showing the first signs of fa
tlgue, there being no perceptible sign
of Increase of respiration Captain H.
L. Scott, of the Seventh Cavalry, has
related some astonishing feats per
formed by the Chirucahua Apaches
forming Troop 1. of lit* regiment. Ho
tella how nine of these Indinns, after
u hard day's work, by way of recrea
tion pursued a coyote for two hours,
raptured the nimble brute ami brought
It Into camp; how, on another occasion,
the scouts gave chase to a deer, ran It
down some nine miles from camp and
fetched it In alive. Hence I see no
good reason for doubting the word of
an old-timer I met In tba Rocky moun
tains, who told me that. In the days
before the Atlantic and I'actDc rail
road was built, the (Mum Indians of
Arltona would recover settler.-*' stray
horses, along the overland trail, by
walking them down in the course of
two or three days. After this one uiav
begin to ludleve that "l-ylug Jim”
Heckwuurth. whose remarkable adven
tures early In this century are pre
served In taiok form, waa a much-ma
ligned man and that he spoke no utora
than the truth when he said he had
known Instance* of Indian runuera ac
coinplUhlug upward of lit) miles In ouo
day l.tpplmott'a Magaslne.
Me tea*** Iks I sit*.
Wife (with a determined air) "I
waul to *ee thai teller.” Husband
' W.iat lelier*" Wife "The <>na yuu
)u*i opened I know by the hand writ ■
tug It Is front a woman, and you turn
ed pale when you resd II I will sea
II' Give H tu me. air!” Husband -
"Here it is. H s your uiiiliusr s bill.”
Til-UK*.
