The Columbus journal., 1911-01-04

Aunt Eliza and her daughter Julia!
You remember Aunt Eliza, and Julia?
Il Qever heard you speak Of them
before" she said. still unconvinced.
Good reason, too. for Up to this aw-
full moment l never had an Aunt Eliza
or a cousin Julia, but relatives must
be found to fit the emergency.
"Oh. you've forgotten. my dear"
said. soothingly Aunt Eliza and
Julia are two of the best aunts | ever
had-er, / mean Aunt Eliza Is the
best cousin-well. let it go at that.
Bunch MAY have met them on the
street. you see. and they inquired for
my address. Yes. that's it. Dear old
Aunt Eliza"
is she very old?" Clara J. asked.
willing to be convinced il I could de-
liver the goods.
Old" echoed. then suddenly re-
.nembering Bunch's description: "oh.
no: she's young widow, about
twenty-eish. or forty-one. somewhere
along in there. You'll like her i'm
mensely, but | hope she doesn't come
out until we get settled in year or
two
Clara J. dried her eyes. but | could
see that she hadn't restored me TO her
confidence as a member in good stand
ing.
She pleaded headache and went
away to her room, while | sat down
with Bunch's telegram in my hands
and tried to find even a cOwpath
through the woods.
Uncle Peter came out. none the
worse for his cold plunge.
"Ah. my ooy. isn't this delightful"
he cried. drinking in the ais. There's
nothing like the country. l tell you.
Look at that view, Isn't it grand!
John. to be frank with you. up until
saw this place l didn't have much
faith in your ability as business
man. but now | certainly admire your
wisdom in selecting a spot like this
what did il cost you?
Cost me, So far II had cost me an
attack of nervous prOstration. but l
couldn't tell him that. l hesitated for
the simple reason that | hadn't the
faintest idea what the place had cost
Bunch. l had been too busy to ask
him.
It's all right. John" the old fellow
went on: don't think me too inIuisi-
tive. A rubberneck is the root OF all
evil. It's only because I've been
watching you rather closely since We
came out here and you seem to be
nervous about something. l had an
idea maybe it took all your ready
money to buy the place. and possibly
you regret spending so much-but
don't you do it! The best days work
YOU ever did was when you bought
this place!"
Yes. believe you!" sighed. wear
lily, as | turned to look down the road.
stiffened in the chair. for | saw
NV finish in the outward form OF two
women rapidly approaching the house
It's Bunch's sister and her laugh
ter" I moaned to myself. well. I'll
he generous and let the blow fall first
on Uncle Peter" Accordingly. | made
a quick exit.
In the kitchen found Clara j.. her
headache forgotten. busily preparing
TO cook the dinner.
She's a foxy little bundle Of peaches.
that girl is: and I was wise to the TACT
that her suspicion factory was still
INC a
rial for the undersigned.
felt it in my bones that the steer
| cave her about Aunt Eliza had been
placed in cold storage for safe keep
ing.
Her brain was busy running TO- the
depot to meet the scandal Bunch's tel
egram limited at. hut she pretended
TO catch step and walk along with me-
John" she said. Il certainly do
hope Your relatives won't com" ont
for some little time. because we really
aren't ready for visitors. now are we.
DEAR"
Indeed We are not. groaned
u can't help thinking il awfuliy
strange that you should be notified o.
their coming by Mr.. JEFF rson. and II
such peculiar language" she said.
after a pause.
Didn't tell you Bunch IS low
COMEDIAN" | said weakly. Resides.
he knows them worry well. Aunt Fanny
is very fond of Bunch"
Aunt Fanny" she repeated. drop
ping tin pan 10 the floor with
cash. Il thought YOU said her name
was Eliza"
Sure thing" Chortied. while my
heart fell off its perch and dronne':
i'm my shoes. Her name is E'iZa
Fanny. some Of us call her Aunt Eliza
some Aunt Fanny-see?"
She hadn't tim" Ia see. for ~ that
moment TackS rushed in evc'ai:nirG
Say. sister. thev's two strange van
en- or the piazza talking 10 Uncle Pc
Ter. and mavbe when they go on" u
them will fall down the steps II
nut some more soap there.
Like a whirlwird he was gone AGAIN
Clara !. simply looked at me queer'v
and said. The queens are here: treat
them white. John"
felt as happy as piece or cheese
tCopyright, 10y q. W. Dillingham; Co,