Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-03-21


and the like.
Send them to the hotel, please"
she said to one and all of whom she
purchased articles of any size.
marked for Vera Mcclure"
That was enough!
Riverton had sensations, mild ones,
of course. Now and then a fire had
occurred, once an elopement. Occa.
sionally a horse ran away, causing
damage to some one. But nothing had
occurred to compare with the arrival
OF supposed fabulously rich young
lady who came without escort, who
walked into and out of stores like a
goddess. noticing no one, and who
spent money as ii it were autumn
leaves.
A few of the Quaboag retinue fol.
lowed her about in a not-to-be-observed
manner Women by the dozen hastily
donned outdoor raiment and visited
stores, just to observe her. They
crossed and recrossed the street to
meet her, and a battery Of curious
eyes was focused on her for two
hours.
When she returned to the hotel, the
old guard, recruited by every idle man
in town, filled the office, awaiting her.
Uncle Joe, who had heard Of her ar.
rival the moment he came, was among
them, recounting her history once
more. and when she neared the hotel,
he emerged to meet her.
why, bless yer eyes, Chip" he said,
extending calloused hand, "but I'm
powerful glad to see we once more.
Whatever made we run away the way
we did, n what be We dom here?
Buyin' out the hull town? I've got the
pung filled wi bundles already wi yer
name on EN-"
He beaued her into the parlor, like
the ancient gallant he was. He
washed, brushed his hair and clothing,
and awaited her readiness to dine,
without holding further converse with
the curious crowd. He ushered her
into the dining-room and made bold
to sit and eat with her unasked, and
when he assisted her to the front seat
in his long box sleigh, crowded with
her purchases, and drove away, he was
envied by two dozen observers.
"Why didn't we send us word O. yer
COMM" he said as they left Riverton,
$50 l cud n spruced up some an
come down with better rig, bells on
the bosses and new butler robes?"
There was no need Of that" an.
swered Chip, pleased, as well she
might be. 81 am just the same girl
that / always was, only happier now
that have more friends. How is dear
old Aunt Comfort, and every one in
Greenvale? I am anticipating seeing
them so much"
And never during all the 20 years in
which Uncle Joe had journeyed twice
each day over this road had the way
seemed shorter or had he been blessed
with more interesting companion.
The only regret Chip had, was that
she had forgotten to buy Uncle Joe q
present. She made up for it later
however.
At Greenvale, Chip met almost ar
ovation. Aunt Comfort kissed her and
cried over her. Meier ran for Angie
who soon appeared on the scene, and
| Hannah was so clustered" she was
unable to speak after the first greet
ing. Martin, who had heard Of Chips
arrival from Uncle Joe, fastened tc
| Aunt Comforts, and had Chip been a
real "millionairess" or some titled lady
she could not have awakened more in
| terest or received half so cordial a
welcome.
Hannah was the one who felt the
most embarrassed however, and guilty
| as well. For half an hour, while Chip
was the center of interest, she could
| only stare at her in dumb amazement
| Then she stole out of the room, and
later Chip found her in the kitchen
shedding copious tears.
I'm a miserable sinner n the
Lordll never forgive me-" she half
moaned, when Chip tried to console
her. AN to think we feel the way We
say, n to bring me present, arter all
the mean things / said. It's a.heapin'
Goals @ fire on my head, that it is.
And the shower increased.
II have forgotten all about them,
Hannah, truly l have" Chip assured
her, land wish you would. You didn't
understand me then. perhaps, or you,
SO let us be friends now"
The next afternoon Chip, who had
learned that Miss Phinney's school
was to close the day following, set out
to call on her in time to arrive at its
adjournment.
No hint of her return had reached
Miss Phinney, no letters had been ex-
changed, and not since that fearful
separation had they met.
And now as Chip followed the lone
ly by-road so often traversed by her,
what food Of bitter-sweet memories
returned,-each bend, each tree, each
owl 1N,.;JuA oya,. 4ho M;z,,,