Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1900-12-13
A COUNTRY COUSIN
She Came and Saw and Conquered.


&ooooooocoooooooocoonHHoE
The news and the dessert were serv-
ed simultaneously.
"By George if l hadn't nearly for
gottenr' quoth Stafford pere. He rum
mayed in an inner pocket.
"Can't find the letter. Must have
left it at the office. Anyhow, it's from
my cousin. Godfrey Chester
"Now, Henry" interrupted the mild
voice of Mrs. Stafford in amused ex-
postulation, 'why will you keep up
that fiction about the cousinship? 1t is
mythical, and you know it!'
"It's certainly remote" conceded the
beaming paterfamilias at the opposite
end of the table, but there once was
a relationships long time ago, ! ad-
nit. But Chester and l have traced
back until we found it. He's a good
fellow, Chester. I've always been urg-
ing him to manage that our young peo-
pie may become acquainted. He writes
that his daughter will pass through
Chicago tomorrow, on the way to New
York, and will spend few days with
us. He says he wishes one of my fam
lily would meet her. Bless my soul,
here's the letter after ALL" He put on
his spectacles and read aloud: "You
can't mistake her. She's a curly head
ed little girl in gray gown and ha,
with gray feathers. She's nice child,
and I'll be glad to have her meet your
youngsters. There!'
"a childv' groaned Ralph, who was
% and studious.
He swallowed his cafe noir at guIp
and rose disgustedly.
youngsters, indeedv cried Dick dis
painfully. docs he take us for kin
dergartners?"
Ross, who was the eldest, smiled In
quite a superior and disinterested fash
lon. He boosted a fourishing mus
tache. He was studying law. Plainly
the subject had no interest for him.
But one Of you must meet the
child" cried the head of the house.
you'll go, Ralph"
Cant, sir. Pm doing an article on
the architecture Of the tenth century.
1t takes lot Of research. I'll be all
morning in the Newberry library"
Henry Stafford, huge of girth, roseate
OF visage and twinkling of eye. turned
his face imploringly toward his young
est son.
you, Dick?'
"Got golf match on. Can't make 1t,
sir"
Dear, dear! If your sister were only
at home
She'll be back tomorrow afternoon"
put in Mrs. Stafford.
But the little girl gets here in the
morning. She must be met. She is
from comparatively small town. She
would be gu tie bewildered were she to
ind herself lone in Chicago"
He sent the good looking young fell
low with the mustache an appealing
glance.
Il wonder now, Ross, If you
Ross laughed leniently. "You poor,
perplexed old chap! Yes. III see that
the child gets here all rightr'
Good" said Henry Stafford, with 8
sigh of relief "Good!'
ed its jostling multitude in the Union
depot the following morning Ross STAFF
ford, standing close by the iron gates,
found that he had undertaken task OF
greater magnitude than he had at the
time imagined. There was such crush
OF people, stout and thin. tall and short
big and little. There were children
professions of them. But they all
seemed to belong to the folks who bur
ried them along. Never a glimpse could
he catch of a curly headed little girl
IN gray gown. wearing a hat win
gray feather. Or was the dress brown
By Jove! He wasn't even sure of that.
The last largard group trickled away.
Ross knew the conductor of the Den
yer train and spoke to him as he cams
hurrying along.
"All off your train. Brigham
"Surer'
"Tbere was a little girl coming 10
Chicago-had curly hair. a blue dress,
a green hat blest If l remember!
Wasn't she on?''
''Alone. was sheT
yes
mo. sir. Didn't come. Sure7 Course
am"
Ross wheeled around. well. I'll tel
ephone the folks that she wasn't on
Dad can wire her people and find out
| beg your PARDON,
And he suddenly found himself bow