Mexico Missouri message., 1908-04-23


Send them 20 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 n 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 a supposed fabulously rich young
lady who came without escort. who
walked into and out OF stores like 4
goddess, noticing no one. and who
spent money as II It were autumn
leaves.
A few OF the Quaboag retlnue 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 ofiice. 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" ne said,
extending a calloused hand. but I'm
powerful glad to see ye once more.
Whatever made ye run away the way
ye did. n what be ye doin' 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,
so | cud n spruced up some an
come down with a better rig, bells on
the HOSES and new bufiier robes?"
There was no need Of that" an.
swered Chip. pleased, as we'll she
might be. II 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? 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'a more interesting companion.
The only regret Chip had. was that
she had forgotten to buy Uncle Joe a
present. She made up for II later,
however.
At Greenvale. Chip met almost an
ovation. Aunt Comfort kissed her and
cried over her. Meier ran for Angle.
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 to
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 q
welcome.
Hannah was the one who felt the
most embarrassed, however. and guilty
as @all. For half an hour. while ChiT
was the center OF interest, she could
onI;' 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 miserable sinner n th'
Lord1l never forgive me-" she hal
moaned. when Chip tried TO console
her. AN to think ye feel the way "
say. n to bring me a present. arter al
the mean things | said. It's a.heapin
Goals o. fire on my head, that 1t Is.
And the shower increased.
Il have forgotten all about them
Hannah, truly have" Chip assures
her. and wish you would. You didn'
understand me then, perhaps, or you
SO let us be friends now"
The next afternoon Chip. who ha
learned that Miss Phinney's schoC
was 10 close the day following. set ou
to call on her in time TO arrive at II
adjournment.
No hint OF her return had reache
Miss Phinney, no letters had been 81
changed. and not since that tearfu
separation had they met.
And now as Chip followed the loR'
~ by-road so often trRversed by he
what a food OF bitter-sweet memoris
returned. each bend. each tree, eac
, rock. and the bridge over the Mizz
held a different recollection. Here I
this turn she had first met Ray, aftt
L.. IL A