Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-01
Cousin

off-hand manner, had talked, from the
day of her arrival at her sisters home,
of the necessity of her calling upon
her husbands cousin, Collie Mack.
So she, with a party of four or i've
of her relatives in various degrees,
turned the headlights of their auto.
mobile toward the exclusive village,
6r suburb, in which she felt convinced
she would find Collie Mack.
She was still in the seventh heaven
of self-righteousness when she was
rudely recalled by the mundane curl
osity of the driver, who requested the
street and number OF her cousin.
oh" she replied, airily, its with
some doctor, on Oak avenue. about
two blocks from the car line" Then
she settled back to her fancies once
more.
The driver scowled and turned the
car around. He drove slowly up and
down Oak avenue, scanning the houses
on both sides of the street within a
radius OF two blocks of every car track,
but to no effect. Finally he gave it up.
well, it amt here" he remarked
witheringly.
why, perhaps 1t isn't" genially re-
sponded Mrs. Gregg. Il forgot that it
must have been fifteen or twenty
years ago that he lived here. Oh.
and besides, it was his sister who
lived with the doctor, and she was
trained nurse. so it might have been
that she just had case there. don't
suppose Collie Mack lived there at all.
Wasn't that funny?"
She thought moment. Haven't
you people some idea of where to
look?" she asked, glanchg about en-
pectantly.
I'VE might look in the city direc-
tory" volunteered her sister.
So the whole party got out at the
nearest drug store and pored over the
list of Nacls.
There's no Collie Mack here, that's
sure" asserted mutineer.
"Oh, but that's just nickname" ex-
planned Mrs. Gregg. 81 really don't
know just what his name is. 1t be-
gins with NJ or H, or perhaps it was
w. | can't remember
"Oh, what's the use, anyway" a
nephew exclaimed disgustedy. You
don't know him and he doesn't know
you, and whatll you miss ii you don't
see him."
Mrs. Gregg looked at him reproach-
fully and said nothing.
Here it is" cried her brother-in-
law, excitedly. Here's Martin Henry
Worthington Mack! That's all the
initials. They probably called him
Collie because he'd take a whole col
umn"
They excitedly viewed the name in
turn. Mrs. Gregg smiled in conscious
superiority. Yes, of course, that's it, .
she exclaimed. My mind rarely fails
to recall names
SO they climbed back into the car
and broke the speed regulations get
ting TO the address for fear Collie
Mack might get away.
At the door Mrs. Gregg took the
lead. She shook hands with the young
girl who opened the door. eXciaiming
delightfully."-: We'll, we'll! I'm Mrs.
Gregg. and these are my sisters and
my brother-in-law and my baby and a
nephew. Is your father at home?"
Without waiting for a reply from the
stunned girl, she made for the stairs,
followed by her train of relatives.
Il never dreamed that he was mar
ried!" she exclaimed to the little wom-
an, who in a daZed way offered mem
chairs. And this big girl is your
daughter. Well. WE'LL" And she smiled
with friendly warmth which brought
no response from the hostess.
Suddenly the door opened and a
large Scotchman stood in it moment
while he viewed his callers.
I'm so glad to know yon." ey-
claimed Mrs. Gregg as she FASTENED to
greet him. And before she knew it
she gave him warm, couSinly kiss
"My husband DR.. Gregg, has spoken
go much Of you that ] know you as
we'll as if I had always known you
personally" declared Mrs. Gregg.
"Why didn't you let us know that you
were married? Oh, pardon me; for
got TO introduce YOU and she turned
IN bonn on har owp Marty
The host wore a panied and startled
expression, but he bowed gravely Mrs.
Mack seemed to have been turned to
stone.
How nice it is to meet relatives!
Do sit down by me here and let gus
talk over old times." Mrs. Gregg