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Show UTAH LEH1 FREE PRESS. LEHL By Christine Whiting Parmenter WXU Service kj Cbrlstlae Waltlaf Ptmt never admit SYNOPSIS Cepyrls&t Nelson. Rained financially. June Boston merchant, breaks tha nwi to fela household. Kane, ala dauahter. nineteen, U on tha verae of her Introduction to society, the data of her 4ebut havlcs; been aet. A short time before, aa elderly cousin of Nelson's, Columbine, had suggested that Nance as a wmt to her at Pine Ridge, Colo, been paid companion. The offer had regarded by the family as a Joke. Jack. Nance's brother, seventeen years old. urges her to accept Cousin Columbine's proposition, thus relieving their father of a financial burden, and offering to so with her so that she will not feel too lonely. The lrl agrees that Jack writs to Cousin Columbine, and they will await her answer. Columbine wires welcome to both of them. it but her absence and Jack's would be a help Just now. All this and more went through her mind in a revealing flash before she answered with new-bor- n bravery: "Of course I'm going! I bad to get used to the idea, that's all It may not be very exciting at Cousin Columbine's, Mother, but It'll be be interesting, won't it seeing new things and places? Let's not talk any more. It's settled as far as I am concerned. Come on. Jack, we'd better make a list of things to take." "And don't forget your flannel nightgowns," spoke up the little brother; so. after all, the discussion ended on a smile. CHAPTER III CHAPTER II Continued g Waking suddenly at a Jolt Nancy sat up, wondering in that first startled instant where she could be. Then her brain cleared and she realized that she was aboard a train beaded for Colorado, and wondered If they had run Into something, and If she ought to waken Jark or get up and put on her clothes. Surely there had been no such Jolt the night before. For a moment she listened tensely in expectation of some confusion; then raised the window shade, peering out Into the dim, gray light of early morning. The train had stopped before a station and her car was directly opposite the brightly lighted restaurant Nancy could see a girl of about her own age dressed in a crisp, white uniform, serving some trainmen at a lunch counter. She wondered If the waitress had been up ell night or was Just beginning her day's work. Probably the latter, for she looked fresh enough but what a ghastly hour to go to work I . A man and woman carrying suit cases emerged from the waiting room, and a moment later Nance felt them brush by her section, speaking to the porter In hushed voices. A cheerful time to be starting on a Journey, she thought Ironically, but perhaps out here where the distances were so great, one had to start when one could. There followed another Jolt Evidently the engine had been detached and was coupling on again. The wheels turned slowly, and then faster. iNance strained her eyes to catch the name of the station Dodge City and shivering a little, pulled down the shade and snuggled under the blankets. So they were still In Kansas. Kansas The Idea that she could be there was Incredible to Nancy Nelson. Why, Kansas had always seemed as far away as the North pole and fully as unattractive People lived there, of course.) but not people quite like themselves. At least that was how the girl had thought about It; yet that waitress In the lunch room looked why she looked every bit as as the girls behind the lunch counters at Thompson's Spa on Washington street In Boston I This comparison brought a wave of homesickness to the unwilling exile. What a three weeks it had been since Jack received those telegrams from Such a hectic Cousin Columbine! time. Aunt Judy starting off for Europe with those may Spear girls, nurrled trips to Edgemere with nerve-rackin- Judith Hale's "extravagance" So (the last she was to indulge Id for many months), remained oncensored, adding a note of cheer to that dinner table, as she meant It to; yet as the moments passed Mother kept thinking sadly of how soon they would all be scattered separated. She, Dad, and the little boy at Edgemere Judith In Europe Louise alone In a city board-lot- ; house Jack and Nancy. . . . This' last she refused to face Just then, and said when Jack resumed the subject: "Oh, let's forget It, dear, while we eat dinner." "Hut we've got to decide, Mother." lie persisted with impatience, "I dare ray Cousin Columbine's expecting a .telegram tonight" "Never mind," put In his father. "It won't hurt the old lady to wait for a message until tomorrow. But we'll decide the question this evening, Jack. I .promise you. After all, It's as easy to face things now as later." Thus before they slept that night, the two young people knew that they .were to go "out west" The arguments pro and con had waged for a good two hours, Aunt Louise protesting vigorously to the very last that her nephew would return east with the manners "of a bear." "And I warn you, too, young man," he asserted grimly, "that jou won't find life on a ranch the romantic dream you're picturing to yourself at present As for your sister At this point words failed her and he ended with a tragic gesture which caused even Nance to smile a little. There was no doubt whatever that Aunt Louise could perceive no virtue In what she termed "this wild, ridiculous scheme of Jack's"; and even Aunt Judy suggested with some reluctance that If the boy must go, It might be wiser for him to go alone. "All right" he retorted, Impatient at what seemed a deadlock, "If Sis Is too much of a hothouse flower to stand transplanting if she can't put up with a few hardships a time like this, I will go alone, though possibly" He hesitated, and his father ended for him: "You're thinking that It's Nancy whom Cousin Columbine really wants to comer Jack nodded. "She might not pay my carfare if I went alone, Dad." "So If you go, It looks as If I'd have to," said the girl bitterly. "I suppose If I get unbearably fed up with everything I can walk back." """Two thousand miles on the hoof!" grinned her brother, though perfectly aware that she spoke with sarcasm. "That's where your pioneer blood shows tip, my dear! If you find our aged relative too impossible you can turn bitch-hikeSee here I I promise solemnly that if you can't stand the Job after a month or two, we'll hitch-hik- e back together. The experiment won't cost Dad a cent; and the chances are we'll have a whale of a good time." "Good time!" sputtered his paternal aunt; when Mother Interrupted: "But Louise, can you see any especially good times for the children if they stay at home?" Every one turned to her In surprise; while Aunt Louise responded: "Surely, Margaret you don't approve f this Idea?" "Not wholly; but Tve a feeling that both Jack and Nancy will be happier in absolutely new surroundings for a time. It's not easy for young folks to adjust themselves to such radical chnnges as we'll have to make. Of course I shall worry about Nance; but If she's too unhappy 1 think we. can manage to brlpg bareback. .without. the 1, What do necessity of hitch-hikin- ! ' .you say. Nance?" It was then that Nancy, glancing at iier father as-I- f for help, saw' something In his face that made her heart contract For the first time she realised what this catastrophe had done to Dad. Why, he looked oldl she thought In consternation. He looked worried frightfully worried; and all this talk was worrying him still more. Yet here she was hesitating to accept a chance to earn her living Just the thought of doing something hard go!r.g so far away, seemed unendurable. What had Jack called her the other night? A parlor ornament? Well, he was right wasn't he? That's about all she measured up to. For one swift illuminating moment the girl saw herself as other saw her, and was honestly appalled. Dad would 1 1 e prairie!" It was! Nancy sat up, almost as excited as her brother. Prairie! Miles and miles and miles of It, stretching endlessly into a far horizon. Neither of them had dimly realized the vastness of those great plains they were to cross-pl- ains which lay dappled by morning sunlight, softly undulating, as far as their astonished eyes could reach. For the first time since starting on this journey. Nancy forgot her homesickness and was thrilled. She drew a breath born of both amazement and delight To one whose entire life had been spent either in a crowded city or surrounded by the sheltering, green hills of New England, such limitless spuce was almost unbelievable. For a time she watched this unfamiliar world slip by, too awed for anything save exclumations. It all seemed wonderful: a herd of grazing cattle a clump of cottouwoods beside an irrigating ditch a school house set In curious Isolation considering its purpose; and In the distance patches of green about some lonely ranch. Even Jack was silent, too interested, perhaps, to comment; but at last he said: "Let's dress, Nancy. I want to get out and sniff this air at the next station. Breakfast's at Syracuse, anyhow, and sayi I think the sun looks brighter here than It does at home." This was no idle guess. The sun was brighter the air more sparkling. Nancy admitted that she had never breathed such air. They cut short their breakfast In order to have more moments to pace the platform. "And In no time now," said Jack as they swung reluctantly aboard the train again, "we'll be In Colorado. I wonder who Cousin Columbine will send to meet us." Nance smiled. "Do you remember her first letter? I was to sit quietly in the station until called for!" "So you were! Do you suppose they'll keep us waiting long? Gee, Nance! I Just can't realize that this long trip Is nearly over." Neither could Nance; but all too soon they found themselves waiting their turn to leave the train. Good-by- s to friendly fellow passengers had A smiling porter had been spokea brushed away the cinders. Nancy, standing behind Jack in the narrow passage, realized suddenly that the hands clutching her pocketbook were trembling. Indeed, all the fear that had gripped her on leaving home was back again as she emerged Into the sunlight and Joined her brother on the platform. Jack, smiling a negative to an approaching red cap, rescued their hags from a pile of luggage, and moved toward the station a beautiful station that made Nance think of an English manor house. To the west, against an unbelievably blue sky, towered snow-capePike's Peak, seeming so near in the clear atmosphere, that the girl felt she could reach out and touch It "This place certainly looks civilized enough." she observed breathlessly as Jack dropped the bags and stood looking about In search of the expected escort. "Civilized!" Her brother laughed. "What did you think you'd see? Wild Indians? Of course It's civilized; but for the love o' Mike. Nance, look d r. g But a meal In the diner had restored his courage, and since then he'd been the Julliest of companions. She hadn't realized before how nice her brother really was. Not once bad he compared her to s hothouse flower or a parlor ornament Not even when he caught her winking away some tears as the train pulled out Nancy slept after a while, but not for long. It was Jack who wakened her. flipping down from the upper berth and snapping ap the window shade. "Wake up. Sis!" he commanded In an excited whisper. "Look where we are! Why, that's that must be j0ks 'I! there!" An Indian squaw Nance looked. was coming toward them, her shoulders covered by a gay, striped shawl, a wee black-eyepapoose strapped to her back. Said Jack, as she disappeared around a corner: 'That relic of old times must have been ordered for our especial benefit I didn't suppose they carried their kids like that d in Will i "Why, That's t: these days." "But she had on silk stockings. Jack, and slippers! They looked so Incongruous with all the rest of her. Well, that'll be something to write home about I wonder if we ought to go Inside. Do you know. I I feel sort of nervous. I wish whoever's coming for us would come and get it high-heele- That Must Be Pralris!" Mother.' Packing. Deciding what to take and what to leave behind. GetAnd ting tickets and .'reservations. those last awful moments at the South station with Phil wanting to know how they made the sections Into beds and asking a thousand foolish questionsMother smiling unnaturally to keep from crying Aunt Louise arriving at almost the last second with a box of candy; and Dad, his face so terribly set and stern. Just to recall It made Nance shudder. Even Jack had lost his enthusiasm for a time and hadn't talked much until the train left Worcester. ... d - v over with." "Let's stay right here, this alr'a so marvelous. Do you suppose they often get such days in winter? Watch out, Sis !" Jack lowered his voice. "Catch onto the old dame In the fireman's shirt" Nancy smiled, eyes following her woman bad brother's. A white-haire- d Just emerged from the station. She black felt hat wurfc a much like a man's, while her long black cape, being unfastened, revealed a middy biouse of flaming red. Her feet were clad in stout, black, laced broad-brlmmc- d inch or two of boots, above which an cloth skirt dark a cotton stocking met a whole. as taken eccentric figure, An as she "And yet" Nance whispered has en air "she hurriedly, them passed about her. See what I mean. Jack. she s "Yeah." he admitted, "but I bet same. the Just sort some a crank of charTou know, what they call a a Tou'd think" acter. The eccentric lady Jack paused. had turned and was approaching "I'm looking for two young peoNelson." she said ple by the name of I found them?" "Have crisply. The question was as unique as the woman ; but in that moment her somewhat mannish countenance was lighted by a contagious smile. Jack actually grinned, while Nance responded quickDid ly: "It looks as if you had! meet to send Columbine you Cousin us?" A quick nod answered her. "1 dare say you're hungry as two bears, and so am L Come in and eat. rap-Idl- y. These eastern trains always arrive at meal times." Still talking, she led them toward the station restaurant and motioned to seats at the counter. "No use in paying a dollar for a dinner when you can get a hot roast beef sandwich for fifty cents. Do you like roast beef? In my opinion there's nothing better. Do you want coffee? They say it's bad for people but I've drunk It every day for more than fifty years and am still able to get about" She smiled at the waitress, and not giving the young people a chance to answer, ordered: "Roast beef sandwiches, coffee, lemon meringue pie for three, please; and take your time." Struck dumb by this breezy Individual, Jack stifled a smile and gave his sister a disconcerting nudge. Their escort had hung her cape on a nearby book, and was a noticeable figure in 'ner broad felt hat and scarlet middy. People looked at her, mildly amused; but there was nobility In her weather-beatecountenance, and her smile was u innped to ask if their had given these Incousin antiquated to keep Nance and order structions in -- ..I. as iar ayo.i si ris- something of this that ible. Knowing sort was in his mind. Nancy threw said. 1,1m a IlIUI airnlnff ub erl nee.- and she sat down beside . the eccentric lady at "that on ,! TWiH- good-looae- is I Tt i fm. a. she was Degmmug iu acI feel but mensely: "It's queer, and do you with already; you quainted u ., vnnp realize we doni e name?" The lined face brightened numorously. "The truth is. I never tell my name it That's the only II l IKU my parents. grudge I've got against j A it n n..... hrfltnfi I ve always wouueieu ucu weren't affected by trie auuuue . whom ... . ; i ... .' ; 1 11 Why beywhat ether folks skiy bj, Wise Western seople bey keen' 'Canee "what it take. .'.. 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My name, you nice helpless Lunch was quickly served, and there is Columbine Nelson!" young things, being no privacy at the counter, was their unconventional relative had If consumed In silence save for a few set off a bomb and blown the old tourquestions regarding their Journey. As ing car Into a million bits, she wouldn't the train pulled away from the sta- have created more surprise. Jack tion, both boy and girl turned to watch one foot on the running board, paused, it feeling a subtle, regretful twinge, and stared at her ; while Nancy gasped : as if some good friend were deserting "But but you can't be! Why Cousin them ; and as Nance resumed her meal Columbine's a feeble old lady over their companion asked : "Sorry to see seventy!" the train depart without you?" "Over seventy, Til admit," alleged "I suppose I am," replied the girl, their companion, her eyes twinkling, and added at this unexpected insight "but not so feeble as she led you to of her mood: "Tou see, it makes me believe. Stop staring at me, Jack. If feel as if the last bridge behind us the middy blouse, you'll Just have it's was burning. Everything's so differto get used to it A middy's a ent from Massachusetts; and not In a place like Pine Ridge, where knowing Cousin Columbine at all I'm there's no dressmaker. I welcomed silly enough to be a little nervous." them with Joy when they came Into The woman smiled one of her nice fashion years ago; and I shall consmiles. tinue to wear them, fashion or no "Tou needn't be. I don't think you'll as long as they can be bought find Columbine Nelson hard to live fashion, by mail. The red ones are for gala with." occasions like the present Usually I "Have you known her long?" asked wear blue. Here comes our driver. Jack, hoping to secure a bit of light Will you kindly testify that my name on the character of their unseen relais Nelson, Mark? These young folks tive. seem to be unbelieving." "All my life. She was born at Pine Mark Adam as he swung Ridge seventy-od- d years ago in a Into the driver'slaughed seat. covered wagon." "It is unless she got married when "I know," said Nance. "It's one of our family stories, that, and how she I dropped her at the court house two hours back," he stated. "I saw that happened to be named." "Is It Indeed!" The woman tipped cop give you an admiring glance. Miss their waitress and glanced up quickly. Columbine." "Admiring!" Columbine Nelson sniffed "Oh, there you are, Mark !" The lunch room was almost empty contemptuously. "It's more likely he was thinking: 'There's that old freak now, and as she slipped from the hish come down from Pine Ridge again stool Nance saw a tall young fellow Stop at the Cash and Carry for a box In a sombrero which he removed as he of canned stuff, Mark! and then head caught sight of their companion. Jack stole an amused glance at for home or Matthew will get there Nancy a glance she had no trouble In first and not know where to put the Interpreting. It said as plainly as If luggage." "Can't Aurora tell him?" hed spoken: "Enter the forbidden They had turned into a street that noy mend! Take care, Sis!" It was which Nancy Jacks glance, not the sudden arrival faced the mountain,-froof this unexpected youth which made could hardly take her eyes. "Ndt Aurora Tubbs," Cousin Columher color rise, and. suddenly, the girl bine was saying. "She's so flustered was furious with her brother. "This is Mark Adam, who Is to drive at the Idea of having company that like as not she'd have him put those us up. explained the lady. "Mark, these young folks are Nancy and Jack trunks In the bathroom. We have a bathroom, Nancy, which no doubt Nelson. Where are your trunk checks you'll be relieved to hear. There's Jack? 1 presume you've both brought only one other In the village, and that's And where's luggage. Matthew In a summer cottage Mark?" belonging to a The young man smiled, showing rich oil man from Oklahoma. I went strong, white teeth and a crinkle of to the extravagance in 1914, Just before the great war started over In Euhumor around the eyes. "Glad to know ynu." He stretched rope. I remember the date because I out a welcoming hand. "Mntt's out- - was christening the tub when the news side on the truck too bashful to come came, and Aurora (her sister married a German, Otto Welsmuller In and meet the er lady That's it' up at the (as Jack produced checks) "You'll Cripple Creek and as good a fellow as ever lived), came rtishlng flnd the car parKed back of the st upstairs with tlon. I'll be there as soon as I help the paper. She actually, pounded on the door, and shouted : 'Miss ColumMatt with the baggage." "Mark's a good boy." observed their bine! Miss Columbine!' Don't bother new acquaintanee as the driver strode to wash. The Germans. have starred Do you suppose : otto away. "He and his brother came fighting. will have to go?' Aurora's down to the creamery today (they run to "get apt flustered In an emergency, a dairy ranch), so I roped them In tn never saw her go worked up." us and drive get your trunks. The TO BB CONTINUED."' Isn't a better driver In Pine Hid luuu oiuia nuuui, .'amy, go you Ve no "Scrap of Paper" call to reel nervous going up the pass. The expression "scrap of Is Here we are." They had left the stasaid to have been employed paper" a a early tion and were crossing a broad parkas 1878, when on January 17 the Rusing space. "You're to ride with Mark. sian minister used It in a letter to the Jack. You boys must get acquainted,' Rumanian foreign minister w!U and I want a chance to get acquainted to the passage of Russian with your sister." troops Rumc.nia durlnz tha through as be helped them to Jack grinned war wltb Turkey. FOR APEX AN INTERMOUNTAIN PBODUCT INGREDIENT! NO RES1DLB. HADE OP THE FINEST AND LEAVES ASK FOR BEET SUGAR THE ONLY HOME Moderi New Beautiful SUGAR BEAVER DAM EOTE life-sav- er on the Arizona Strip. Half Way to Los way Angeles-High- No. 91 SS Miles Beyond St. Geeree HOTEL. 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