The Meeker herald., 1907-12-21

flower pilgrims. The thfee-volume
genealosy on the library shelf. which
showed the effects Of frequent use.
established the fact, - well a. the
letters and relics that. In the division
and redivision Of household gods. had
fallen to her branch Of the family.
She proudly wore the badges Of the
Daughters Of the American Revolution.
Of the Colonial Damss. and OF the
Maynower Descendants. and sat In
the councils Of these orders. Her
portrait had been painted IN the fash
lon Of the Puritan Hope Winslow. and
she had 4 colonial room fitted up in
her home.
IL think you are very provoking"
she exclaimed. "and quite lacking in
the right kind Of pride. You know
that your name was originally Alden.
and that you could establish your line
through the original Alden family"
"Of course" admitted the young
man. good naturedly; "but my father
and grandfather were both Jchn
Eden, and their example II . good
one for me to emulate in all things.
since both left the world better for
having lived in It"
But You miss my meaning" per-
sisted Hope, tapping tho door with
her foot. 1T would really b. adding
honor to their memory to establish
such ancestry through them"
How was John Alden any better
than John Elden?" .queried the young
man tribe Indignantly. What does
history have to say of him more i'm.
portant than the fact that he was 30
thick-headed that poor little Priscilla
had to propose to himf ! don't think
that the httle crippled ones down at
the Eden Home would revere my
fathers memory any more II were
to tell them that his ancestor came
over in the Maynower."
Hope coQuettishly fenced his indig.
nation. Yes: but, John--I wish you
would become eligible to attend the
costume ball Of our New England so
ciety, 90 that you might dance the
minuet with me-and-ohi ever 20
many others!"
Thank you." said John. still grim
ly: you know love to dance with
you. Hope; but only wear knee
trousers when golf. and since left
the football team have given up
long hair. might - well toll you
now. Hope. that your New England
society seems q make-bsiievs to me,
when almost all your msmbsfs were
born In the Missiasippi valley, and MI
Of them live here. Your duty q n BE-
Ans~. ~rrn~Aha~~ - h,.o1A .,,n 49, -S.nak
rather than"
THAT will do. Mr.. Eden" gIared
Hope, rising to her feet. Fortunately
your opinion IL . matter Of indifisr-
ence to me. 30 further enlargement
upon the topic is unnecessary. And
you will please excuse me now, -
have some committee work for the
New England society this afternoon"
i've done It," soliloquixed the
young man dejectedly. as he strobe
down street Made fool OF myself
As usual. and now Hope Is angry clear
through. This will mean that Thurby.
with his Declaration OF Independence
record. will have clear field. wish
the memory Of the Puritan Fathers
was In Halifax, or that l could keep
my beastly temper!"
And because Of these circumstances
the business Of the North Star Milling
company, the presidency and manage
ment Of which had fallen by Inherit
ance into John Elden's hands, re-
ceived redoubled attention from him:
while the forthcoming costume ball Of
the New England society became the
apparent aim of Hope Winslow's ex-
fstence.
But as she viewed herself In the
mirror on the night Of the ball, ar
rayed as q gray-gowned. white-capped
Puritan maiden, she gave little sigh
for the John Alden of her dream.
Then she ran downstairs where her
aunt, in the fnery of Martha Wash
ington dame. was beaming upon Thur
by, who, as continental officer, was
to act as their escort.
The ballroom was thronged with q
picturesque crowd-Puritan and cava.
lier. quaker and courtier, straight
locks and perfumed curls, homespun
and brocade flashed back and forth as
they marched and swung and courte-
sled In the old-time measures.
Hopes continental officer had ex-
cused himself during the evening, and
only returned in time to put the two
ladies into their carriage. He was
breathless. rather disheyelled and
minus his sword and cooked hat, The
situation plainly demanded an expla-
nation.
Il cannot tell you how sorry was
to leave you, particularly without tell
ing you the reason" he began, but I
did not want to spoil your evening""
HAS anything happened that con.
Germs mel? queried Hope. leaning for
ward in alarm.
something that concerns one of
your friends" returned the young
man. Fire started in the North star
elevators this evening, and when L