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Show i LEHI FREE PRESS. -LEHLUTAH I By Christine Whiting Parmenter fl g If y.U U3 Copyright ky Christine Waltint tarmeat Ruined financially, Jamea Nelson, Boston merchant, break the news to fcla household. Nance, bla daughter, nineteen, ta on the vera; of her Introduction to society. A abort time before, an elderly cousin of Nelson's, Columbine, bad auggested that Nance ome to bar at Plna Ridge, Colo., as a paid rompanlon. Jack. Nance's brother, seventeen year old, urges ber to accept Cousin Columbine's proposition, thus relieving their father of a financial burden, and offering to go with ber so that aba will not feel too lonely. The girl agrees that Jack writ to Cousin Columbine, and they will await ber answer. Columbine wlrea welcome to both of them, and It la arranged that tha two ahall go. Welcomed by Cousin Columbine, they are aomewhat dismayed by ber unconventional attire and mannerisms, but realize aha has character. The driver of their car is a young man, Mark Adam, son of a close friend of the old lady. CHAPTER III Continued This brought a laugh; and Mark a!d dryly: "I didn't know we'd ever had a christening la Pine Ridge, Miss Columbine. Too bad that party was Interrupted by a war!" "It wasn't," retorted the old lady. "I railed back: 'Keep still, Aurora. This is the first tub bath I've had Flnce my mother washed roe In a tin dlKh pan with only a covered-wago- n for privacy, and I wouldn't cut It short if the whole German army was on the lawn.' I could tell she was mad by the way she thumped downstairs, but she got over It before I put on my clothes. Here comes Matthew now. Slow .down. Tm going to stop him." She signaled wildly, and a truck .drew up beside them, though it seemed "to Nancy that both vehicle and the The driver did so with reluctance. latter started to remove his hat. found he had none on, and blushed furiously. The truck emitted a sort of groan. "If you reach home first, Matthew, Just sit and wait till we get there," ordered Miss Columbine. "You can tell Aurora I said to give you a slice of chocolate cake. And this Is as good a time as any to make you acquainted with my cousins, Nancy and Jack Nelson. Don't drive recklessly up the pass and lose those trunks over the dge, will you? I dare say they're valuable, and I don't trust your driv ing as I do Mark's." "Yes'm," responded Matthew nervously. "Pleased to meet you. I'll be careful, Miss Columbine." He reached for his hat again, found and it still missing, blushed redder, started the truck with such a Jolt that empty milk cans careened drunkenly in the rear. Such confusion amused bis brother ; and a quiet laugh escaped from Nancy. She said : "He's really bashful, isn't he?" "Born that way," responded Cousin Columbine. "And so good looking 1" observed ' IS'ance. They had stopped at a traffic signal, and their driver turned his head a little to say over his shoulder: "The family beauty." Nance couldn't restrain a giggle, and Jack laughed outright; but Cousin Columbine remarked severely: "If you expect me, or anybody In Pine Ridge to contradict you, young man, you'll be disappointed. In my day It wasn't considered modest to fish for The green light's on, compliments. boy. Why don't you get along?" "Too crushed to move," he told her ; and proceeded to start the engine as quietly as its age allowed. "I'll park somewhere on a side street. Miss Columbine. There's no space In front of the 'Cash and Carry'; but Til walk over and get your box. It's only half a block." Eager to stretch his legs, Jack offered assistance : and as the boys strode off the old lady remarked "Jack's thin. Isn't he? Grown crit-fcnll- vj too fast, most likely, and been cooped op In school A year In the open will do wonders for him." Nance, .thought, with sudden consternation : "A yearl Does she expect us to stay that long?" but mail-age- d to answer: "That's why Mother let him come, xne doctor saia ne needed outdoor life more than a diplomat V r t "Sensible was 1,. AH. this education . business ,1s stiifland nonsense unless it nts a Doy to earn nia living, wmcn nine times out of ten It doesn't do.' Look at Matthew,., A dam. .His people; crimped anasavea to sena mm ro cot ilege. I don't say he' got "n6fhlng but of It; but here he Is back Inline ? l , . . ..... T your father' really lost' his t . t .. V. I 1 child, has money? "Most of It, I'm .afraid. , We're rent-;In- g the city bouse and the family will live at Edgemere for the present" ' j "Where's Edgemere?" miles from town "About twentv-fivAunt Judy jit's Mother's old home,-bu- t tov.ns it She won't let Dad pay a cent e fct rent" i ' Who's Aunt Judy?" She teaches In a very high- hat girls' school." "High-hat?- " echoed Cousin Colum bine, plainly mystified. Nancy laughed, and explained: That's only slang. Perhaps it's an eastern variety that hasn't reached Pine Ilidge, It means swell, Cousin Columbine awfully stylish, you know. is clever. She's earned Aunt a good salary for years." "Well, we live to learn," admitted the old lady briskly. "High bat! It's really expressive when you come to analyze It So you're three families under the same roof. I should think you'd fight like cats and dogs." The girl laughed again. "We don't honestly; though Aunt Louloe thinks Aunt Judy spoils us. unci gumetlmes they scrap about It that Is, as much as anyone can scrap with Aunt Judy." "It's plain to see which Is the fav orite aunt my dear!" "I'.ut you mustn't think we don't ap preciate Aunt Louise," spoke up Nance quickly. "She's a dear; but Aunt Judy understands us better and takes our side. If Aunt had had her way we'd never in this world have seen Pike's Peakl" Her eyes crept upward to the snow capped mountain, and the old lady asked: "Was It worth the Journey?" From the train "It's wonderful it was the least bit disappointing, perhaps because we were so far awny; but here it's marvelous and and so "Yes. SYNOPSIS "I forgot you didn't know all about os," replied the girl. "Aunt Judy Is mother's younger sister. Shes lived with us for years, and took care of us children when we were little." "And Ionise, your father's sister, llves with you, too?" O II I aladdM T miss 11 I TT r 1 near!" "That's only the atmosphere. Will believe it tourists here In Colorado Springs have been known to start out before breakfast thinking they could walk to the base and get hack in an hour! Everything looks nearer than it Is even the stars. But I like the Peak better from our side, my dear, and I think you will. . Where are those boys?- - They're centalnly " taking their time. So your Aunt Louise opposed your coming? Will you explain why?" Nance colored a little, something which did not escape the shrewd old you those days. Cousin Columbine," said Nancy. "WelL hardly!" chuckled the old lady. "But many's the time I've heard my father tell about it One day he came down to get a look at the great men, and found a chief Justice squat ting before the fireplace frying bacon !" "How'd they get here If they came from a distance?" put In Jack. "On horseback?" "Mont of them; but they came In over wagons, too, or in land maze coaches drawn by mules. One member tramped over a hundred miles through the mountains, and arrived with a boot on one foot, a bro-ga- n on the other, and wearing an old tilouch h:it he'd slept in with the brim half gone." 'What was lie supposed to repre sent?" Mark Adam asked over his shoulder. "A rummage sale?" "It doesn't matter," replied Miss Columbine briskly, "because he was elected speaker of the house; and those who heard that speech never forgot It A' fine orator was George Crocker; and he came from Massachusetts. 1 believe. There was something thrilling about the struggle of those old days which you young folks'll never realize. See those tall red cliffs over to the right. Jack? That's the entrance to the Garden of the Gods." "It Is!" In his excitement the boy would have stood up for a better view, but Nancy's bag across his knees prevented him. "I remember my father bringing me down on horseback when I was a tiny girl," said Cousin Columbine. "I "She well, she said Jack was too Impressionable. I guess she thought work on a ranch going 'round all day with rough men and boys would would spoil his manners." Cousin Columbine stiffened. Did she indeed? And what about yourself?" were These frank disconcerting; but the girl said honestly: "She thought I'd be homesick, and I dare say she's right; but as Mother pointed out, things wouldn't be very thrilling at Edgemere. You see, I've always spent winters In the city; and this year . . ." "Well?" prodded the old lady, as she paused. "I only mean," Nance hesitated, thinking it might sound foolish to an inhabitant of Pine Ridge, Colorado, "that If Dad hadn't lost his money I'd have made my debut this winter." "Well, his losses saved you from that, anyway, " was the brusque reply. "Here come the boys at last Mark Adam, did you can those peaches yourself? You've been gone long enough." "Not only canned, but picked 'em," he retorted. "Why didn't you let Matt cart this stuff, Miss Columbine? I'll have to tie It on the running board." Put It "You'll do no such thing right In here and I'll set my feet on It There! I'm comfortable as can be. Truth Is, I Intended asking Matthew to get this box, but It slipped my mind when I saw he was In such a hurry to get away from us. Did you boys have a soda at the drug store? You must have been somewhere this twenty minutes?" "It was only polite for me to give your company a treat Miss Columbine," explained Mark as he started the engine. "What next? Do we head for home?" "At once ; and don't attempt to leave everybody else behind, even if you are the best driver In Pine Ridge. I understand you told Juanlta Tubbs that you could drive up Ute pass with one hand and blindfolded Into the bargain. I was surprised,' Mark Adam, to find you'd added boasting to your other sins." ... ' MafV laughed and answered: "You kniXw me better.'Mlss Columbine. That "was only for Juanlta's benefit Since her cousin, from Denver wou the motorcycle race up" the Peak last fall, that girl has put on airs." '"'."She'll putting on black most likely, If he attempts to win another year," sniffed Miss Columbine. "Such races oyghfr to be prohibited by law. We're headed right Into the mountains now, Nancy. This part of town. was settled before the Springs, and the "territorial legislature met here In 1SC2 with nothing but a log room for their house of representatives." "Was there any hotel for the men to stay at?" questioned Jack", for whom the details of United States history j held a lure. "Only a tavern made of logs, not nearly big enough to accommodate them. Some had to sleep on the tloor of the assembly, room; and one mem ber brought his family and set op housekeeping In a tent" "But surely you don't remember 1 "' . (1 tills time to wink. The winter's day had seemed aimoM balmy to the ew r.ngiunaers, vui and they reached more open country the shadows of afternoon began to was uncomfortably condeepen.. Nan.-of the changed atmosphere scious and lack of lap rone. Thus It was a relief when Cousin Columbine announced that they were nearly home. "top alter you cross the track. Mark, and let them get a good look at the Peak from this side our side, I call It. You see. I've lived in the shadow of that mountain since the day I was born, and It seems to belong to me." Mark nodded, crossed the track, turned sharp to the left and stopped the car. while Nancy uttered a cry of Cousin Columbine genuine delight had not exaggerated. Pike's Peak was beautiful from here. Its snow crest lifting above a forest of dark pines. Said Jack, after an awed moment: "That's great Isn't it?" And the old lady responded : "I'm glad to see that you appreciate nature, for It's all I have to offer except hospitality. This Is Pine Ridge, my dears. I dare say It looks provincial to you; but It's home to me." Home! Nancy's eyes strayed from the mountain, and with difficulty she suppressed another exclamation one of dismay. Pine Ridge! Why it was nothing but a straggling, dusty street Had they traveled two thousand miles in order to spend weeks, months, goodness knows how long, in such a spot? The grandeur of the mountain was forgotten In that desperate moment All the girl saw was a row of forlorn frame buildings, their elusive fronts rising deceptively to the height of an Imaginary second story, their clapboards bare of paint their porches ... sagging. As the car moved forward even Jack was dumb. They passed a filling st- ationa grocery the post office and drug store a ramshackle place marked "Restaurant" at which Nancy shud y dered a hotel. Its narrow porch hugging the dusty road as If land were too scarce In this vicinity to two-stor- cross-questio- afford a lawn. "But there's Cousin Columbine's estate," thought Nancy, grasping at this straw. "It can't be near these awful places. Perhaps there's a side street or" No. Pine Ridget sat astride In front of .him, and we rode all through the Garden looking for cattle. It was vacant land then, and Father was so Impressed with the rock formation that he considered preempting It, and then gave up the Idea, thinking the land worthless." "Imagine owning the Garden of the Gods!" gasped Jack. "Has It. always gone by that name, I wonder?" "It hns as long as I remember ; but the early settlers called the place Red Rocks. No need to encourage a stiff neck. Jack, by trying to see out of the back of your head. We'll all drive down some day and explore the Garden." If the West had seemed wonderful from a car window. It was thrice wonderful from Mark Adam's dilapidated flivver. The young Nelsons were never to forget that ride. As they wound up the old Indian pass (a good road now, though narrow enough in spots to cause a shiver to run down Nancy's eastern-brespine). It would have been Impossible to express Just what they felt Such spectacular beauty was new to both of them. Glimpses of rushing water far below the rocky cliffs and hillsides far above sharp curves appearing with alarming freof quency; and over everything deep, deep azure such as they had not imagined, was, as Nance wrote the family later, too wonderful for any words of hers. "There!" exclaimed Cousin Columbine when those Impressive cliffs were left behind, "that's over, safely. Time was when that pass was really It's a boulevard now com pared, with those days. .Thanks for blowing the horn so often, Mark. I know you did it for my benefit though' ' my worst enemy never .called me nervous. There's Matthew drawn up beside the road. Do you suppose he's had a breakdown! ;That truck of yours Is getting pretty ancient" "There's plenty o life In that old truck yet," defended Mark. "All my ohhuiui umuii-- wums, most UKCly, Is fof us to get home first so he won't have to describe these er new-corera to Aurora Tuhhs. Matt says Aurora takes away his power of speech when she slings questions at him. He says It's no wonder Ictor Tuhbs went Into a decline. Ill, there, Matt! Want us to tow yon home? The older Adam smiled a negative as they passed; and Nancy said "Doesn't your brother ever wear a d y , r n hatr r Mark Adam, bag. Miss Columbine. stuff on my canned o' box that set you kitchen table. Come right in, Jack and Nancy, and make yourselves at Heres Matthew now. I see home. you brought two trunks." urran.-less- , Nancy found nerseir a nine going Mark turned to tnrow a colliding Saucy and barely escaped with a rock. -Mind your driving," ordered Miss Columhlne. . -nun Yes, ma'am," replied the youin . i Ma ,t . linatl ".'t i n. nui 1 eyes. 11 most fur coat but aren't your legs that take I'll silk stockings? in frozen v,.t u.'s vou'd notice it Dad says ethat's all Matt learned In colleg- meekness; Service !1 Mark was steering the car between two sagging gate posts. Nance stared ahead. Was this the boasted family mansion this hideous frame house with peeling mustard-colorepaint and a pretentious tower at one corner? A wave of rebellion swept through the girl; and something curious seemed to .be happening to her ears. She raised her hands to press against them, but heard Cousin Columbine say quickly; "Ears popping? That's only altitude, my dear. We're nearly nine thousand feet above the sea, and on almost the very spot where I was born. Father built this house after he struck silver at Leadvllle In '7S. As you see, it's In need of a coat of paint; but it needed something else a great deal more so the paint must wait a year or two. Stop at the sidp door, Mark, or Matthew's likely to bump Into us. Aurora I Aurora Tubbs, where are you? Come out at once and meet my relatives. Well, Nancy," (she turned, her lined face beaming with happy pride), "what do you think of it? Does the Nelson mansion come up to your expectations?" d CHAPTER IV "... And all that saved me," wrote Nancy In her first letter home, "was the arrival of Aurora Tubbs on the side porch." This was quite true. As the girl cast wildly about in search of an answer that would conceal her state of mind, a woman, so short, arid stout, and brightly attired that she made Nance think' of the colored "cubes" she used to play with In kindergarten, fairly burst upon them through a doorway which looked too narrow to admit her. . She wore a dress of brightest bluehird blue, and her squareness was accentuated by a starched white apron, tied snugly In the spot Intended by nature for a waist-line- . "So you're here?" she asked, as If her eyes deceived her. "The fact Is evident, I believe," returned Miss Columbine. "Those are my young cousins. Aurora, and I've no doubt they're glad to reach their destination. This Is Aurora Tubbs my dears, whom you've henrd me mention Goodness knows what I'd have done without her all these long years " "Pleased to meet you." said and shook hands with Jack, Aurora, first to alight from the automobile. "And you too, Nancy. Might as well call first names right off. It seems to me, and not be formal I see you're weartn' a V not entirely the effect of altitude. She had expected Aurora Tubbs to be a sort of servant and "er she was It was acting the part of hostess! Nance uiant know verv confusing. Adam just what to do. Perhaps asMark snoui-dere- d ne tor dilemma sensed her his burden the corners of his twitched with amusement mouth nice and his blue eyes, meeting hers, were disconcerting. "Come In, every one," said Cousin Columbine, stepping down from the car with youthful agility. "Turn to the left, and go Into my sitting room. I close the parlor during the cold weather. This carpet came from Chicago In 1SS0 the first carpet In Pine Ridge. I'll have you know. Mark Adam, you and Matthew carry those Which Is trunks right up, please. stand-uyours, Nancy that queer Mark, room, tower in It the one? Put and the other in the northeast chamber. Aurora, bring In the chocolate cake." "Not my beautiful fresh cake, Miss Columbine!" protested the woman In "Not my good rebellion. shocked chocolate cake I made for supper? If those Adam boys once set their teeth into It we're lucky to have a crumb left over; and There! there! Don't Shall I glare at me, Miss Columbine. bring forks and plates?" "Fingers were made before forks, Aurora, and it's not a party," replied Miss Columbine, much to Jack's amusement "Just bring the cake and a knife to cut it. I promised Matthew a piece, and I'll keep my word if we have to bake again tomorrow. You make a splendid chocolate cake, Aurora Tubbs, though as a rule I don't compliment people to their faces." As the woman, somewhat mollified at this praise, departed on her unwelNelson come Columbine errand. chuckled audibly. "Poor Aurora ! I've no doubt she expected to make a great Impression by bringing in that layer cake at supper. But those boys are hungry, most likely, and they've still five miles to go. Come in, both of you," she called as steps sounded on the stairs. "No, Matthew Adam, don't try to escape out the front door. I've a slice of cake for you; though Aurora Tubbs is ready to slay me for suggesting that we cut Into her handiwork." "It's not the cutting I mind. Miss Columbine," Aurora corrected, appearing through one door as the boys came in another, "but seeing it disappear so so rapidly. You move the family Bible, Matthew Adam, and I'll set it right here on the center table. It's a handsome cake, I think you'll all agree. Shall I do the cutting, Miss I declare, it seems almost Columbine? a pity." "What do you think that cake Is for, Aurora?" snapped Miss Columbine. "A parlor ornament?" (Nancy smiled though the phrase sounded unpleasantly familiar). "I'll cut the thing myself, or these young folks will go hungry. Give me that knife, and shut your eyes if you can't bear to look upon such desecration." "You don't need to cut 'em quite so thick," remonstrated the anxious woman, hovering near. "That's a four-laycake, Miss Columbine, and a wedge two Inches at the widest part's enough for anyone. Those Adam boys" (she spoke as if the young men were not present) "have got fierce appetites when they go places, which is no wonder because their mother's not what you'd call a natural cook and owns to It herself, so there's no occasion for hard feelings. If Nancy eats that big wedge now, Miss Columbine, she won't have any appetite for supper." "Oh, leave us be!" returned the older woman with Impatience. "Leave us be! Here's your piece, Matthew, and don't drop frosting on the carpet Stand close to the stove, all of you, and let the crumbs fall Into the coal hod. And be sure to tell Aurora Tubbs how good it Is. ... That's why she's hanging 'round the door." "It's great L" grinned Jack, at which Aurora beamed. "It's simply marvelous!" said Nancy. The smile widened; ' whlfe Mark Adam, an appreciative hand upon his stomach, murmured: "It's superb, AV' rora. I warn you now. Miss Columbine, when 1 get married I aim to steal your cook." jfJ r and wool growers. Fingerprint 'Grafting ' '' ' Removal of ,.the. whorls from "the finger tips to prevent Identification by means of fingerprints Is possible according to reports of physicians. Skn grafting Is a simple matter but In the case of the finger tips would be a painful process as skin from other parts of the patient's own body are essential. Such an operation would make former prints worthless but evidences of the operation would remain In many cases. Pathfinder An old that dollars were made round uinr to to 'ratci not tat to stack ap. 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Half Way to Los Anirele- sHighway No. 91 38 Miles Beyond St. George HOTEL, CABINS AND CAFE Reasonable Rates Prohibition Repealed in Ariieai I 1 ASK FOK BEET SUGA1 THE ONLY HOME SUGAR $42l 4 ROUNDTRIP TO LOS ANGELES VIA SAN FRANCISCO From Salt Lake City and Ogto, M Los Angeles via the sw Francisco for exactly as roundtrip fare viaj routes. This low fare sg (pl standard Pullmans trawl to charge). $12 TO SAN FRANCISCO TO LOS ANGELK SL Salt Lahe City ia on fast roomy coaches f foor of trail rafiti i Iks! "u Southern ftgjS 41 South Main s' - times Venice, in medieval th great power w owes itsi decadence to a tiaviimtiort of the cape covery ol Amenta n ;We Utility, fw 1 tXls. W :. . whyC fZii ir--. Intermountsla nude 1 t aA voor Intermountsln &a. .re to u. no mn, r. api thia column yoa win ceWs check lor the Ann! Re: h ... Lticai than... r' in. f. e I 'He b Dm . . your story numb |