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Show I Shell Wilden. s of carrying them CHAPTER I. openly, It was a glorious spring day. Tbs old Shell with spirit oak hall in the spacious hall of the Wilderness has Just announced slow ly to all those whom It may concern that noon Is past Again the house has sunk Into stillness, save for the distant echo of a fresh young voice singing, from very gladness of heart, at broken intervals. Going down a long passage covered with frayed cocoanut matting and opening the thick oak door one comes upon what seems to be the only inhabited room In the house. Here again Is space ample space, and a lofty celling though certainly, as regards any modern luxuries In the way of furniture, the apartment Is bare enough. A faded drugget covers the center of the floor, eked out round the edge by which has long since failed to boast more than faint visions of pattern. An old square piano with a short yellow keyboard stands open at one end of the room littered with chairs of no music; some of them most and particular pattern, of an uncompromising nature, are hidden under snlppings of dark blue print and mysteriously-shape- d pieces of linis also piled sofa old the ing; shabby with various articles of feminine attire. Both windows are thrown as high as the sashes will permit, so admitting d the genial sunshine and sweet air before one stands a very practical-lookin- g sewing machine, before the other Is an old wicker table and paper itrewed with fashion-plate- s patterns. Bending over the solid table which stands in the middle of the room Is Bhell Wilden. She Is at present making a determined onslaught with a pair of formidable scissors on a section of the blue print before mentioned. She has ceased singing for the moment; her brows are slightly puckered, whilst n her keen eyes follow to be taken by her line the hears. There is a decision and energy In every curve of her girlish rounded figure as she leans over the work; the right sleeve of her dark dress Is pushed np nearly to the elbow to allow of free play, so disclosing a plump, rounded inn of almost snowy whiteness. Shells fine pure white skin is her ne personal attraction; but, as her sister Ruby often remarks, she pays for It dearly, for Shells complexion Is accompanied by a wealth of wavy shimmering red hair, faintly marked eyebrows, and a pair of eyes which are positively pale green In certain strong lights, though they deepen almost to purple under strong emotion or In the Ireamy gloaming of a summer evening. Bhe Is a little below the middle height, possessing a round, childish face, with tyes that speak so often when her tongue Is wisely silent that her sister Ruby many a time takes umbrage at ler expressive looks. She has Just finished her critical piece of work, and Is again breaking Into unconscious song, when the door spens quickly, admitting a tall, graceful woman of some thirty summers, srhose light spring costume sets off her lark classical beauty to advantage. Ruby, for she It Is, differs from her lister as much In temperament and llspoeltlon as In form and expression. No stranger at first sight would have taken these two young women to be related, yet such of their acquaintances who were addicted to the pursuit of psychological Inquiry were fond of pointing out that behind the widely llfferent manifestations of the personality of each there was the same original force and Insistence. Did you get it?" questions Shell, pausing at her work, and looking a little blankly at her sisters empty hands. asks Ruby, Get it! Get what? clearing a space upon the sofa, and linking down upon it languidly. Why, the tape, of course! I haven't in Inch left; and how can I get on with thb killings without tape? cries Shell, with a pathetic ring In her voice. Dear me, your mind never seems able to soar above says Ruby, slightly shrugging her shoulders. We got the tape all right fortunately Violet remembered It" Has VI got It, then? asks Shell, In no way affected by her sisters low opinion of her intellect Ton surely Got It! sneers Ruby. Bont imagine, child, that we are going to burdens ourselves with parcels on such a broiling day as this? I surely did not Imagine that even you would make any poor errand-bo- y tramp a whole mile to bring a few pieces of tape that would have fitted into your pocket if you were ashamed oll-do- th half-doze- n flower-icente- anx-"teus- grey-gree- dress-makin- g! . ly responds Then there Is a period of silence, during which Shell looks quite stern and even haughty, while Ruby does not appear to be altogether as self-satisfi- as she would wish to be possibly because It irritates her to see Shell more at ease than herself. Shell meanwhile sews steadily on, and uie conversation threatens to come to a sudden termination, when a somewhat sarcastic glance from Shell causes It to revive. There Is no greater mistake than bringing parcels oneself," pursues Ruby In an injured tone parcels are such a nuisance! and why should one do errand-boy- s work they are paid for it?" Shell makes no answer, but, bending over the table, begins to fit a tissue paper pattern on her stuff, making a scornful and expressive grimace of contempt at her sister's affectation. I know you dote on carrying parcels; but then you do so many things purposely to annoy that It is no use attempting to stop you, continued Ruby, sighing gently. Shell still keeps silent, only smiling knowingly at her pattern as she twists It from side to side. Tou were very wise not to go down into the town this morning, Ruby Not goes on after a short pause. that there was much sense In the excuse that you hadn't time, for I see you have been wasting It In the grounds pointing with her sunshade to a large vase full of lilac which stands In the center of the chimney piece. It Is so absurd to put flowers In this horrid old room. Shell turns her head sharply and smiles at the mauve and white plumes behind her. I Just couldn't resist them, she I took a rush round the says softly. grounds before setting to work, and I felt I must bring a bit of sweetness back with me. Ruby is not listening to the explanation; her eyes are gaslng absently through one of the open windows. We heard some news in the town, she observes with a deliberate suddenness. Did you? returns Shell carelessly, as she continues to adjust her pins. Tea Robert Champley is expected home next week. Is her says Shell, pausing suddenly In her work and opening her green eyes to their fullest extent Then she continues musingly Poor fellow! Tour pity seems rather ridiculous, observes Ruby Impatiently. A man with over two thousand a year Is not to be pitied. Not even when he has loet the only person who could make that two thousand a year worth haying? queries Shell, with a curl of her lip. "Absurd! He must have got over his wife's death by this thne, says Ruby, tapping her sunshade restlessly on the carpet; besides, he has his children. Poor little things I muses Shell, with a short sigh. "Why poor? Of course he will marry again; and they will be well looked after. Will they? says Shell dubiously. "I am sure I hope so; besides, it remains to be proved that Robert Champ-le- y will marry again I think It very doubtful myself. "As if you, a child of nineteen, could possibly form an opinion I exclaims Ruby. "Why, you were a perfect baby when his wife died I wonder that you can even remember her. "Let me see I must have been sixteen, remarks Shell, with provoking accuracy, because I know It happened four years since; and I shall be twenty the day after Of course you would remember him I didn't exactly mean that," owns only at that age you could not Ruby possibly understand much of his character. Now poor Clara used to say that I comprehended him so thoroughly nearly as well as she did. Tou know Clara and I were close friends. X always thought Mrs. Champley was Garnet's great friend, observes Shell, with Just a shade of unbelief in her tone. At one time, admits Ruby in some confusion; only after Garnet married and went to India I took her place. No one person can take anothers place, says Shell decidedly. I know Garnet corresponded with Mrs. Champ-le- y up to the time of her death I hare often heard mamma say so. X am very glad that he is coming home, pursues Ruby, Ignoring this last allusion of her sister's Intimacy with Mrs. Champley. I have often felt it a weight on my mind that I have not been able to carry out dear , Clara's wish, and look after her eUW dren. Shell has straightened her back, and now stands staring full at Ruby with such a quizzical glance that her sister says with an impatient flush Well have I said anything so very extraordinary? You look as if you were going to eat me. Well, it certainly sounded odd, to say the least of It, replies Shell, resuming her work, to bear that you were going to look after Robert Champleya children. I should Imagine that he Is pretty well able to look after them himself. As If a man could possibly know anything about the training of children!" answers Ruby contemptuously. Of course he cant I promised their poor mother that I would do my best to look after them, and I shall allow no conventional scruples to prevent my fulfilling that promise." I am quite sure you wont Shell In a low tone to her work. Then suddenly a happy thought strikes her. Perhaps he wont have the children home, she says, with a hopeful laugh he cant do better than leave them where they are, at his sisters Ah, but she Is going abroad for her health; and It is solely because he must now take charge of the ohlldren himself that he la coming home! rejoins Ruby, with a triumphant gleam In her fine brown eyes. Well, I suppose it is easy enough to get competent nurses when one has plenty of money, says Shell; and then, dismissing the subject with an impatient shrug of her shoulders, she asks, holding up a long narrow piece of tissue paper, Will you have your back cut in four parts or six? Rubys mind soon descends to the practical, advancing to the table, she at once enters Into the most minute instructions for the cutting out of her dress. I think this pale sateen such a sweet shade, she says, holding up a I bit of the material admiringly. have half a mind to get a pale pink, too. If so, please look sharp! remarks Shell, In a tone of anything but keen I like to get all the summer delight. dresses over In one batch and not keep on at it for months. expostulates But, my dear Shell, Ruby, I thought you liked cutting out and fitting. I am sure you always tell mamma so; besides, you are so clever at it. Oh, I don't mind! admits Shell, rather crossly. Of course one of us must play at being fond of it, since we cant afford a maid. Only It does rather annoy me for any one to be so Insane as really to Imagine that I prefer working on a morning like this to being out of doors; and she heaves a sharp little sigh as she glances out at the wavboughs of the newly-budding tender-gree- n ed trees. g sigh, my Why that sweet asks a tall, willowy girl with blue eyes, who has Just entered the room. As she speaks she lays her arm caressingly around the girls firm shoulders. She la quite overcome at the prospect of cutting me out a second washing dress, answers Ruby, In a tone which Implies, Hasnt she an unfortunate temper? I was Just going to Oh, deaiv-aask her to fix my buff print, because she is so clever at that sort of tiling!" says Violet, In a tone of consternation. All right, VI dear I adore cutting out," laughs Shell. Bring your buff print by all means and any other material that you can lay your hands on. It Tn for a penny, in for a pound. is a pity that we are not all throe the same figure In that case I could cut out at the same time. Do you seriously mean yon would be kind enough to do more than one because there Is my new flannel tennle-froc- k y. to arrange? asks Violet heart-rendin- sea-Shel- l?" nd half-a-doz- en coax-Ingl- Ill do It, answers Shell rather Bhortly "only, If I do all the cutting and fixing and trimming, I must bargain that you and Ruby help with the machine work." "Yea, dear, of course only that stupid old machine will never work for me, responds Ruby, with a vicious look at that useful but inartistic piece of furniture. I'll make It work for me, or 111 know the reason why! laughs VI, machine before and herself the seating commencing to arrange her cottons. Now, Shell, toss me over your skirt, child! How can you be so energetic, VI, after our long walk? says Ruby, rising from the sofa with a slight yawn. I have quite a headache with the heat and must rest till lunch, or I shall be fit for nothing during the remainder of the day; and then she leaves the room with a languid step, and the click, click of the old sewing machine echoing pleasantly in her ears, (To be Continued.) Gaust is the smallest republic In the world. It has an area of one mile and A population of 140. It has existed since 1048, and is recognised by both Spain and Trance. It is situated on a flat top of a mountain in the Pyrenees, and has a president who is elected by the council of twelve. TRIED IT ON FOOT. START OR AN EXPEDITION OP WRITERS FROM NEW YORK. Sloaplag la a Bafrlgarator A Ilaapltabla Firatr Provided the Party with Chilly Qaartera for the Night They Escaped with Enthusiasm Slightly Cooled. expedition, and where there had been green fields and rippling brooks there was now nothing but anow and lee. It muat have been about this time that the boys awoke. The cause of their dream became apparent. The hospitable gentleman had locked them In a refrigerator attached to his place and had started the machinery. They escaped by climbing through a window and with their ardor not in the least bit cooled by their chilly experience they started for Philadelphia, which they reached after walking forty-eigmiles in twenty-fou- r hours. The experience had been a most interesting one, but It had become apparent to De Zapp and the members of the expedition that more rapid progress would be made by reducing the numbers. A meeting was held and it was decided that De Zapp and some of the others should push on alone. The Journey was continued the next morning, with every one In the cheeriest of With the enthusiastic cheers of a crowd of New Yorkers ringing In their ears the expedition organized by Rudolph de Zapp, that has for its object the tour of the world on foot, set off on its first two days tramp, says the Post The Incidents of Washington that first day provided all the novel enjoyment that any of the party could have wished. The boys marched two by two through the streets of Jersey City, at their heels a miscellaneous aggregation of Jerseyites, many of whom seemed to be halting between a dis- spirits. position to cheer and a tendency to jeer. Outside the city the procession of followers was soon shaken off. Walking around the world Is not to Why th everybodys taste. The expedition kept In the right direction by the old familiar means of following the car tracks. With De Zapp at the head the boys tramped along the trolley way, after taking a fond farewell look at the hazy harbor of New York, In the center of which loomed up the figure of Miss Liberty. Then, with faces set toward the west, the marchers hoofed It merrily along. As the sun began to sink beneath the western horizon the expedition reached the city of Newark, where it was found that the extensive advertising given to the troop by the newspaper reporters had led the people to expect their coming. A hearty reception was accorded them, representatives of the local newspapers taking them In charge, feeding them liberally and caring for them In a royal way that gave them the pleasantest recollection of the first night out Next morning breakfast was served In a nearby restaurant, the signature of the city clerk obtained to the register kept by the leader, and the boys set forth again In spirits that the wretched weather could not dampen. At Elizabeth the members of the expedition were taken for Santiago veterans, and many were the expressions of sympathy and the Indignant comments on the actions of the hardhearted government that compelled Its soldiers to walk home. After an Interview with the mayor of Elizabeth the expedition laid In a supply of rations in the shape of bread, potatoes, meat and cocoa. The rations were distributed among the members and the walk to Rahway began. Rahway cheered the boys on their way, but did not offer to do the good Samaritan act, so the tramp was continued Into the lonely country beyond, where campfires were built, and soon the provisions were being devoured and washed down with steaming hot cocoa. Camp for the night was made in the hayloft of a farmer, and the second night was passed In perfect contentment and the dreamless slumber that comes only to thoroughly tired men. It was found In the morning that several cases of blistered feet had developed, and the walk to New Brunswick was not characterized by quite so much briskness as before. The first unpleasant Incident of the trip occurred that morning, when one of the gangs of tramps undertook to put an end to the expedition by slaughtering the members. The expedition had started off prepared for trouble, and, being athletes every one, they speedily put the pugnacious hoboes to flight. At New Brunswick the first call was made at the office of the Home News, the editor of which gave them a hearty welcome. Then on to Princeton. A concourse of college boys and Prlncetonlans turned out to cheer the walkers, and many accompanied them kbme distance outside the famous old town. At Stony Brook camp was formed on a sloping bank near a fine old colonial mansion. The day was a charming one, the scenery magnificent and the boys In the best of spirits, albeit somewhat sore of heel. The recollection of the historical Incidents connected with the country through which they were passing served as an incentive to the boys to plod along, and they struck out gayly, walking at a fast pace and reaching Trenton in the afternoon. Here the quartermaster of the expedition and the leader, De Zapp, who la responsible for the success or failure, remained to obtain the signature of the mayor to the register, while the rest of the zirty up forged ahead. The tramp was until 10 oclock, when It was decided to rest for the night. But where? After a diligent search Individual was discova ered who offered the boys the hospitality of his barn. He went along with them to show them their quarters for the night, and obligingly locked them in, to keep out other tramps,. as he humorously explained.. The boys fell asleep quickly and dreamed that they were plodding over fields of ice In a far northern latitude.' Instead of De Zapp, Andres was at the head of the good-natur- ed ki good-natur- ed ht ITS PREFERABLE. Barber Wants to Become a Convict. sir, exclaimed the barber, as be gave the razor a final slap on the Im going out one of these strop. nights and commit murder or arson or What for? asked the something. second chair, according to the Detroit Free Press. So the court will sentence me to states prison and I can be a convict For heavens ' sake, what do you want to be a convict for? It Is preferable to barbering. How so? And the second chair, tried the edge of his razor on his thumb-nai- l. In a lot of ways. For Instance, the convict never has to worry about closing his shop nlghta A feller always comes along and closes It for him. He doesnt get half way home on the last car and then Jump off to run back for the purpose of finding out If he has locked the door. Then theres lunch. Oftentimes the barber cant take the time to go out for a cup of coffee and a sinker. Its different with the convict He has to eat and hes never troubled with Indigestion, either. And he quits work at 4 oclock, too, and after that hour no one comes to his door to get him out to give a haircut to a man whos got to go to a funeral early in the morning. The convict gets two months time every year. The barber doesnt Hes lucky if he finds time to take a trip to Chatham. And then there are the lights. The convict doesnt have the gas shut off on him at 7 oclock at night if last months bill isnt paid. Hes never troubled with gas at all. And the rent No, siree, theres where the convict is strong. He never has to worry about the rent Theres someone paying it for him every month. And clothes! The convict never Is compelled to grow a mustache so that he can work up a. line of credit under an assumed name when he wants a suit of clothes. All he does is to tell the warden about it and the suit comes by return mall. Its the greatest snap on earth. Im sick of scraping faces and paying you fellows 010 a week and fifty per cent of everything over $15. Im going Into new fields. Im going out with a foot of lead pipe up my sleeve one of these dark nights and borrow some ones watch and change my way of living. Yes, And he softly humSee If I dont med a new set of words to the old air, A Sailors Life Is the Life for Me. Let It- Pau.M A photograph of the czarina nursing her baby recently appeared in an English newspaper, and when it reached the Russian censor the latter was a much puzzled official. He consulted with the minister of the Interior, who was equally perplexed and decided to The best consult with 'the czar. emcan said the Russian I do, thing peror, Is to show this to the czarina and let her decide. In a few minutes, according to the story, the czar returned and said, with a smile, to the minister of the Interior: Her Imperial majesty finds nothing in the picture contrary to law. Let It pass. - Appearance Deceitful. I struck a new one the other day, said the man who Is about to move, when I went to see a house of which a faithful Irishman was custodian. Too small, too small, I said as soon as I saw the place. Go alsy, sor, he replied, till 1 Yesll folnd the show yea trough. house much larger on the Inside than It is on the outside, sor. "Cleveland Leader. Grooming Hone by Elactrlclty. The electric current is now applied machinto operating ery, less than three minutes being sufficient for going over an anlmaL can also be operated by electric power at high speed. horse-groomi- ng . Horse-clippe- rs Jap Look Mach Alika. The Japanese are curiously alike physically. Recent measurements taken of an Infantry regiment showed no variation except two Inches in- height or twenty pounds In weight. - |