Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-03

dear, Just think of those boots being
there, and l can't claim them because,
I suppose. the finder, this Newton Ash
ford, is a gossipy old man, who will
gable about it until Aunt Ann hears
about it. Bother."
The postmaster thrust an inquiring
face close to the stamp window.
Bother what, Cindaf' he asked 10.
cosely. You amt lost any rubber
boots, have your"
"Of course not" denied Cinda with
a guilty conscience. I'D like our let
tiers, please, Mr.. Fox
mo letters for you folks today" an
nounced Mr.. Fox. "How's Aunt
AnnT
every well-thank you" said Cinda
as she prepared to leave the Office.
"Ain't got over her queer streak
yet, eh?'
What queer streak?" flashed Cinda
Seems like l heard Mrs. Fox say
something about your Aunt Ann was
going to git out the old family coach
to ride TO the Pundermans' party in.
l told Eliza l guessed the hull con-
trivance would come to pieces like the
one boss shay in the pome.' He
chuckled mirthfully.
You will have an opportunity Of
finding out" said Cinda haughtily as
she walked out of the office.
"Whe e-e-e-e-e" WhiStled Mr.. Fox
amazedly. What long tail our cats
got. Talk about airs! | wonder what
Eliza will say when she hears how
Cinda ketched me up because l was
joking about the old yellow coach her
grandfather rode in.''
All Little River heard what Mrs.
Fox thought about Cinda Melvin'S
proud airs.
Most of the villagers had engaged
seats in Letermans long stages. and as
the runners would he placed under
them there was to be a long sleigh
ride all the way 10 Deepford.
How the ancient chariot of the Mel
wins could make its way through the
snow was q matter for conjecture.
But Cinda. with the fierce pride of her
race set her red lips firmly, and every
spare moment found her at the car
ringe house. rubbing and polishing and
the old yellow coach. She
brushed and beat the faded velvet lin
ing of the once splendid vehicle and
she washed the windows and polished
the brass lamps.
The Pundermans' party had been a
long looked for event. Every year in /
February the whole Punderman fam /
fly connection had gathered ut the old
and given a neighborhOod I.
party that included the inhabitants Of /
two villages. Not to be included among 1
the list of guests was nor to be in
"s'ciety" as they recognized 1t in Deep |
ford and Little River.
OF course the Melvins were among ,
the elect. and each year they had sat ,
socially with their neighbors in the .
stage. Perhaps it was because Aunt .
Ann was growing old that she devel- ,
oped at this time several strong pecu- (
liarities. one of which was her fear /
that she might lose her position in |
"s'ciety"
Cinda had tried 10 laugh her out Of .
the notion, then coaxed. without avail. /
Dear Aunt Ann" Cinda had remon- /
strated. don't be foolish-as If II made .
my difference whether we 20 n the /
coach or 8foot or in the stage. Orr
neIgnDors Ike US for what we are, not
for what our grandfathers were"
But Aunt Ann had fallen into a tenn
per and shaken her ebony cane at her
pretty grandniece and threatened 10
change her will If Cinda did not alter
her democratic ways.
SO Cinda had resolved to frown down
any attempt at ridicule that the repro
duction OF the yellow coach might ex-
cite among theirneigbbors. II IT pleased
Aunt Ann TO resurrect the coach and
ride in it, then 1t was Cinda's part 10
uphold her In this resolve; hence her
slight skirmish with the postmaster.
The night Of the party was cold. with
a deep layer Of snow that had fallen
two days before The roads were
broken. and sleighing was excellent