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Show "How terrible! But surely It can't be small-po- x the children must have been vaccinated." That la the strange point," anThere is no mark whatswers Shell. ever on Meg's arm a very faint one on Bob's. The doctor says he can't be sure for another twenty-fou- r hours. two In been bed have to They ought days ago they do nothing but shiver and shiver and shiver. What Is to be none? asks Ruby blankly; and then, a bright Idea suggesting itself We must telegraph at once to London for an experienced nurse. And who is to nurse them till she arrives?" Piper, of course. Piper has flown by this time. I left her packing her box. Ho disgraceful of her! However, Mrs. Pomfret must get some one to see to them. Robert Champley told me that you had promised to see to them during his absence. How utterly absurd and unpractical you are, Shell! Of course I am very sorry for the darling children; but I cant possibly risk such a catastrophe as small-po- x no one could expect it Had it been anything else" grandiloquently "anything less repulsive, I would have gone to them myself. And they are to be left erfllrely fo strangers, with no familiar face beside them? queries Shell in her even shudder. I Shell Wilden. s sr&xsrkbe CHAPTER XII. (Continued.) Shell's life has been so very during the absence that It does not take long to recount the few small Incidents which have broken Its monotony. It was so stupid of you to come," remarks Ruby, during a brief pause In the dialogue going on between Mrs. Wilden and Shell. I don't suppose we shall any of us be stopping here more than a few days longer." Mrs. Wilden looks surprised. How so? I have no intention of going home Just yet, Ruby, she says The cottage Is taken a little tartly. for two months, and since the rent must be paid, we may as well make the best of our bargain. There is no best about it," grumbles Violet. No, Indeed it Is a downright snare and delusion, agrees Ruby. Since even the Champley brothers couldnt atand It there can be no wonder If we ul Tun away-- " I don't think they grew tired of the moor, says Shell honestly. If not, why did they leave It? demands her. sister defiantly. Cant say, responds Shell; then, after a pause, she continues I suppose you know that they are going abroad in a few days." Going abroad! repeats Ruby, In a No, tone of positive consternation. X had no idea of It; I understood that they were merely going back to Champley House." They are starting for Switzerland In two or three days, says Shtll quietly; "and I rather fancy they wont be back till autumn. "In that case we may as well stop where we are, observes Ruby, without "' her ususal caution. My dear Ruby, their movements cannot In any way affect ours,, says Mrs. Wilden, looking puxxled and a . trifle shocked. No, of course not," stammers Ruby, with a momentary flush; only I promised Robert Champley In a way to look after the Children! and, since he Is going abroad, I should not like to leave them alone on the moor. That nurse Is a very Illiterate person I doubt if she can write and of course he will want to hear how they are getting on." Ahem!" ejaculates Violet suggestively, and then Indulges In an amused laugh. Shell does not laugh, but turns with Impatient step from the room. she imagines to be a fit of the sulks; then she becomes aware that Bob's generally rosy face Is pale and languid looking that his bright merry eyes are dim and misty. Do you feel ill? asks Shell, thinking that the child must have been allowed to eat something unwholesome. No-nfalters Bob, with all a boy's reluctance to give in to physical suffering; only my head aches rather." With' a strange thrill at her heart Shell turns to Meg. The little girl is sound asleep on a soft bed o hay, her attitude betokening thorough lassitude one fat little arm shields her eyes from the light Removing it gently, Shell notes that poor Meg is wan as a white even the slight movement sends a convulsive shiver through her little frame. Shell Is not one to waste time over speculations. Stooping down, she raises the sleeping child in her arms, and, telling Bob to follow, proceeds to the farm. At the door she is met by the farmers wife, a kind, motherly creature, who takes In at a glance Shells sign to be silent Mounting to' the children's room, which is deserted, she undresses Meg and lays her In her little cot. A few minutes persuasion and the promise of a fairy tale soon induce Bob to follow his sister's example. But Shell has no need to cudgel her brains for the promised legend. No sooner does Bobs head touch the pillow than he, too, sinks into a troubled sleep. Descending to the big flagged kitchen, Shell holds a hurried consultation with the farmers wife, the rfesult of which Is that a boy Is despatched for the nearest doctor. Whilst she is waiting his arrival. Piper turns up explaining that she has only Just been down to the village for .a few stamps; she looks much taken aback when she hears of the children's illness and finds that she cannot pooh-poo-h It. After two hours watting the doctor comes. He Is an elderly man, genial, reliable and fatherly. Shell and the mistress of the house accompany him to the When the three return to the big kitchen there Is a scared look on two at least of the faces. AH connection with that part of the house must be cut off, Mrs. Pom-fre- t, and a sheet with Condys fluid hung at the end of the passage. I will telegraph at once to Mr. Champley, If you can furnish me with his address. Piper, looking scared and pale, produces the address, and the doctor takes o, may-blosso- m sick-roo- m. CHAPTER XIII. "Where are you going, Shell?" asks his departuYe. The doctor is not certain, answers Ruby, glancing up from an elaborate destined to trim Shell in her low sweet voice but he band of crewel-wor. fears small-poit seems there are a morning-gowI am going over to Meadowcroft to some cases In the neighborhood. Small-pox- ! I promAnd shrieks Piper. superintend Bob's donkey-rid- e. am I expected to stop here and lose ised him yesterday I would come. What folly! You know he is never my life through nursing children with unless he has small-pox- ? I wont do it no, not for allowed a donkey-rid- e been particularly good; and when I ask Queen Victoria herself! Shame upon you, woman! cries Piper if he has been good enough to Do you have one, she Invariably answers Mrs. Pomfret wrathfully. mean to tell me you would have the No." Shell gives one of those low rippling heart to go away and leave them poor laughs of hers, which has in it a mock- little babies, with their father away goodness knows where, and their poor ing ring. care not mother lying buried? Id nurse em for does running Piper after donkeys doubtless She considers myself, and welcome, only I've got my It infra dig. As she knows that I al- own children to think of, and I cadt ways do the running business and leave be running to and fro to the hanging about my her free, I invariably hear that the with small-po- x clothes. children are deserving of a ride. Let who will nurse em I wont, Well, Its a bore any way, grumI wanted you to cut out remarks Piper doggedly. bles Ruby. Do you think I would allow you? my collar and cuffs, as I feel inclined flashes Shell, her bosom heaving with for a good days work." That wont take five minutes," suppressed scorn and anger. Do you imagine for one moment that you are laughs Shell, stripping oil her gloves and good temperedly fit to be trusted to nurse them? You are right there, miss, agrees setting to the task. minutes Mrs. later, some Pomfret; for she neglects them twenty When, she arrives at Meadowcron. Farm, she poor dears, shameful. As for nursing, I wouldn't trust her with a sick cat; finds the children established in a near the house, and Piper no- then, turning to the nurse, she continues loftily Take your precious perwhere visible. "Where is Piper? asks Shell, sink son out of this as soon as may be though who's to attend to them chiling down in the fragrant hay. dren. I don't know. answers. Bob, laconically. Busy, Don't trouble yourself about that, Have you been good children good ? donkey-ridePomfret. I will take care of them Mrs. a pursues enough for a till proper nurse Is found, says Shell Shell, smiling. "Don't know, responds Bob, with gently. You mustn't miss Its catching-drea- dful placid Indifference "spose not. Piper catching, remonstrates Mrs. this ears morning. boxed my Pomfret. Well, never mind," laughs Shell Only when people are afraid, since Piper isn't here we cant ask e donkey-ridhave shall your laughs Shell. I dont feel In the least her you nervous about Illness.'' a be then and boy good you'll today, 'Cause you havent seen much, tomorrow. redonkey-ridea want opines Mrs. Pomfret, with a sage "Don't us tell a Bob story stolidly; sponds at There Is general consternation Instead. donkey-ride? Gome a Cottage when Shell arrives with Not want Why, what sort of a boy do you call your- her news. "Small-pox- ! Are you quite sure he self? demands Shell, turning the small-poxcries Ruby, with a said what him out of child round to laugb k, x; n. sick-roo- m wash-leath- er hay-fle- ld head-shak- e. ," ?" voice. I don't see any other possible arrangement, since you have been foolish enough to let Piper forsake her post, answers Ruby, with a sigh. But I see that some other arrangement is imperative," Says Shell decidIt would be too cruel and cowedly. ardly to leave them to strangers. If you wont go and remain with them till the nurse arrives I shall. "And risk bringing bark the infection here? No, thank you, cries RuI shall ask mamma to forby, hotly. bid you. My dear Ruby," interposes Mrs. Wilden's voice with unusual firmness, If Shell thinks it her duty to go I shall certainly not try to stop her. I shall feel terribly anxious, but It will only be for a day or so; and I believe the disease in its first stage is not very infectious. Do you mean that you would take her back here amongst us after being with the children?" asks Ruby,' aghast Of course she will return when the nurse arrives. There is no need to run Unnecessary risk. If you and Violet feel nervous, wed betted return to the Wilderness, and Shell can stop here until the doctor warrants her safe. I have such a horror of small-po- x that I really think that would be the better plan, remarks Ruby, with a What do you say, VI? sigh of relief. Oh, let us start for Mudford by all means! I am not particularly timid, but I feel that I ought to go for Edwins sake Edwin is her fiance it would be such a sell for him if he came home and found me disfigured. Shell, dear pressing a hasty kiss on her cousins cheek you are a heroine; but the world is made up of all sorts, and I am the sort that runs away. I am not a bit heroic. I should run away too if I felt afraid," laughs Shell; but I dont, and therefore I shall take no harm. So it is arranged. Shell, after gathering a few necessaries together and receiving a tearful embrace from her mother, hurries back to her sleeping charges; and during the afternoon Ruby and Violet take their departure, while Mrs. Wilden is left to bemoan the fact that she ever allowed herself to be worried into taking a cottage on the moor. . CHAPTER XIV. Two days and nights have elapsed; no answer has been received to the doctor's telegram; and Shell, sitting patiently beside her charges, begins to think that the address given by Piper must have been an erroneous one. Nor has a professional nurse put In her appearance the children are going on so favorably that the doctor deems the services of one unnecessary, since Shell Is determined not to quit her post, and indeed has given a promise to that effect to her little patients. She Is quite Isolated from the rest o! the household. The children are Installed In a large room at the end of the passage which on their arrival was Shell Is fitted up as a with them all day; at night she occupies the roomy old sofa In the adjoining room, leaving the door of communication open. All Intercourse with the outer world is carried on cautiously round the saturated Bheet which cuts her off from the household In general. Yet somehow Shell had no feeling of Isolation; she has books in plenty to occupy her when the children sleep, and during their waking hours she, has work enough to keep them amused. She Is sitting at the casement on the third morning, looking out for the doctor's visit, when a hired carriage drawn hy a pair of horses, turns suddenly Into the front yard. hastily-despatch- ed night-nurser- y. ed She cannot see the occupants as it passes beneath the window, and the front of the house is also out of sight. She rises from her seat with a strange feeling of confusion and nervousness; she would give worlds to become Invldible; she even glances out of the window, as If meditating escape In that direction. Then steps are heard down the pasturns, and the sage, the next moment Robert Champley enters the room, followed by the housekeeper at Champley House. Papa, papa," shriek two shrill little voices; and Tolley dear old Toldoor-hand- le ley!" The children are caressed and quietwhilst Mrs. Tolley delights them with a huge bunch of flowers which she las brought with her. Then Robert Champley crosses over to the window where Shell is standing The girl looks in the background. almost stern, and though a very pale unusual thing with Shell she is trembling visibly. Shell, how can I ever thank you for this? says Mr. Champley, in a tone broken by emotion. There is nothing to thank me for that I see, answers Shell coldly. I like nursing if mamma would only let me I should like to enter a hospital." No young and beautiful woman can like nursing small-pocases, rejoins Robert Champley. It Is the first time in her life that Shell has been called beautiful, and a quick flush rises to her white skin which really renders her so for the moment Then she breaks into a laugh. not small-poIt Is chicken-po- x she says quickly. Are you sure? asks her companion, whilst a look of relief lights up his whole face. Yes, quite; for the first twelve hours the doctor feared otherwise, but there is no doubt whatever now they are sufIn Its mildest fering from chicken-po- x form; only as Mrs. Pomfrets children have not had it, we are taking every precaution. And you have you had it? asks Robert Champley anxiously. Yes, three years ago," laughs Shell; so you see with a satirical little I have been running no great smile risk. "As it has turned out, answers her companion, regarding her steadily; but I can never forget that you nursed them during those twelve doubtful hours when all others turned and fled. That is nothing, returns Shell carelessly; then, advancing to the little cots drawn side by side, she says to the children, Now you have got kind Mrs. Tolley, I am going to run away. No, no. Sell you stop too, lisps Meg, catching Shells sleeve in her hot band. "Tolley cant tell about the fairy princess. Oh, yes, she can! hazards Shell, with a laughing glance at Mrs. Tolley. Besides, I'll nd out about more princesses to tell you when you are well again; aad she bends down to imprint a farewell kiss on the fevered ed, x x, face. arm is interSuddenly a posed between Shell's red lips and little Megs white brow. "I can allow no kissing! says Robert Champley decidedly. Shell draws herself up rigid as a grenadier, whilst Meg fights feebly with an intervening arm. You have run risk enough without courting it, explains Mr. Champley almost angrily. Shell merely shrugs her shoulders. Mrs. Tolley, she says, turning to the housekeeper, If you will come into the other room with me I will explain about the medicine, and the doctor will be here shortly, so you will have full directions from him about the children. Mrs. Tolley does as she is asked, and from that other room Shell slips away home without any further intercourse with Robert Champley. gray-coat- A ed fortnight has elapsed. In the rue-ti- c as Shell in a tone of unReally? belief. "Yes really and truly," laughs the And now, Pearl I told gentleman. you I was obstinate I want to know what Induced you to be so particularly uncivil to Ted and me when we first returned to Champley House. Was I very horrid? she asks evasively, flushing. You snubbed poor Ted so unmercifully that I doubt if he will ever recover his normal state of placid conceit. Well, you see. It was this way. ex"I plains Shell in knew that you were rich, and that everybody would be particularly gracious and officious, so I made up my mind to be an exception to the rule. Which you certainly were. Meg was one of the first to find you out, laughs Meg's father, as that little damsel, soon tired after her recent illness, comes creeping into Shells lap. That little dress reminds me of the day I caught you working at the window, pursues Robert Champley, touching his e skirts. daughters Does It? says Shell, with a shy, pleased laugh. Own the truth. Pearl; you made that dress? I certainly had a finger in the pie," answers Pearl demurely. Do you remember, I told you then that the turquoise was your stone? touching her left hand, on which flashes a circlet of diamonds surrounding a turquoise, almost unique in color and size. I remember," assents Shell dreamily. Tell me a tale. Sell, at this moment Interposes Meg, laying her tired head with a restful sigh upon tbs girls plump shoulder. Ill tell you a tale, Meg, says her father, bending down to kiss the childs white brow. Shell has promised to come to Champley House and live with us always what do you say to that? I say she's a brick, remarks Bob, who has Joined the circle, Robert Champley gave an amustd glance at his promised wife, and then they both break into a hearty peal of laughter. (THE END.) pale-blu- A MUSICIAN'S YOUTH. It was by a devious path, some steps of which were painful, that Verdi became a musician. When he was seven years old, his mild and somewhat melancholy temperament attracted the attention of the parish priest, and he received the appointment of acolyte at the village church of Le Roncole. One day a priest was celebrating mass, with Verdi as his assistant, when the boy became so carried away by the music that his duties were entirely forgotten. Water!" whispered the priest, but Verdi did not respond. Then, thinking bis request had not been heard, the celebrant repeated Water! Still there was no reply, and, turning round, the priest found the server gazing in wonder and delight at the organ. Water! demanded the priest, for the third time, accompanying the ormoveder with such a ment of the foot that the little Verdi was pitched headlong down the altar well-direct- ed steps. In falling he struck his head, and was carried to the vestry quite unconscious. Perhaps it was this Incident, together with the childs unbounded delight in the organ music he heard in the street, that induced his father, who was an Innkeeper, to add a spinet, or pianoforte, to his wordly possessions. But It was several years after this that his vocation was temporarily decided for him, though fate afterward stepped in and undid the decision. Why do you want to be a musician? asked his confessor. You have a gift for Latin, and must be a priest. porch of Gorse Cottage two figures Meanwhile, the lad became an. ofare seated a laughlng-eye- d merry girl fice boy in Brezzi's wholesale grocery In spotless white, a tall, stalwart man store, and for a little over seven dolThe house door is lars a year played the organ in the in gray taeed. closed, and the Interview Is conse- church at Roncole; but one day it quently a private one. happened that Father Seletti, who had I shall call yon Tearl, the gen- decided that the boy should be a monk, tleman is saying, with laughing de- was officiating at mass while Verdi cision. The priest was played the organ. No, I won't be Pearl; my old name struck with the unusual beauty of the suits me much belter. I am rough and music, and at the close of the service uneven and bard in fact, thorough expressed a desire to see the organist. oyster-Shel- l, pouts the girl rebelllous- - Verdi appeared, and the priest recognized him as the pupil whom he had ly You certainly conducted yourself sought to turn from music to theology. like a Shell when I first knew you; Whose music were you playing? but adversity opened the Shell, and then I saw the treasure inside, and It was beautiful. sked Seletti. pounced upon my l'carl, laughs the Verdi said, shyjy, that he had gentleman. I hope 1 may really prove a treasure brought no music with him that day, to you, but I sometimes doubt it, says and had been Improvising. You know Shell with comic candor. I have a good many faults I am quickSo I played as I felt, said he. some and and blunt, people tempered think me eccentric. Ah; exclaimed Seletti, I advised Robert Champley indulges in an you wrongly. You must be no priest, but a musician." amused laugh. "You will perhaps be surprised to After that the way was easier. The hear that neither am I perfect," he reI can be obstinate, and even priestly Influence on his side opened turns. to him. many grumpy at tlm's. |
