The Red Cloud chief., 1911-12-14

aid soOthingly.
Cornelia herself was not at all e
cited. Her serenity was In mcst
agreeable contrast to Aunt Nancy's
luttering perturbation. To be sure.
Il was Aunt Nancy's silver closet to
which Cornelia had lost the key.
III It falls into the hands OF a dis.
honest person." observed Aunt Nan.
cy, on the point OF tears. then good
by to the silver. including the loving
cup from which General Washington
drank and the tablespoon On which
your great.grandfather Bennett cut
ais teeth"
Dear Aunt Nancy" Cornelia rea
soned kindly. unless the dishonest
person were a mind reader. too. he
could not possibly know that this
particular key fitted your silver
closet" She was about to continue
her argument along this limo when
Aunt Nancy executed n OF her
Illogical flops.
1T will be necessary to cancel our
invitation for Friday" remarked
Aunt Nancy. with the silver locked
up aud only half a dozen spoons and
three forks available II is out OF the
question to entertain n dinner party"
Cornelia looked at her watch. II
will get n locksmith at once" she
replied. 1.-THE key will he ready by
tonight and Mary can clean the silver
In the morning" She went to put on
her street things. wondering that
Aunt Nancy could not see how much
better II was to be calm and phIlo'
sophical In case Of some trifing an
noyance like losing the key Of the
silver closet.
COrnelia IL on observant young
woman. Weeks before. when nothing
was further from her expectation
than the need Of such services. she
had noticed the sign "Locksmith" In
a window of a little hardware store
near where she was waiting to take
the car. In the direction OF this
hardware store she 10Y bent her
steps. A bell changed loudly as che
opened the door. and a wizened. elder
ly person swooped out from a back
room and asked what she wanted.
Cornelia explained. II should like
to have you see to the matter at once
II you please" she said, "for my aunt
Is In a great hurry for the key"
Cant do a thing before Saturday.
snapped the locksmith. seemingly a.
Tended because she had not wished
to purchase q range for the kitchen
But you must. you know" Cor
nelia answered him kindly. II must
have the key tonight. My aunt en-
tertains at dinner tomorrow"
Il won't have nobody to leave fhe
store with before Saturday" persisted
the lOcksmlth 0~bstinately. 'Then my
grandsonIl be out of school. and, n ne
feels like II. he'll stay here while
get the impression OF your lock. Them
Jobs 10 more trouble than they are
worth"
YES. but you see ! can't walt for
your grandson" Cornelia explained
"You will have to go at once. I viii
stay and take care OF the things until
you are back"
She seated herself on q stool be
hind the counter a. an evidence oil
good faith.
Anybody in charge Of this bore
store has got to be on to the Job" the
owner exclaimed. "Only last week .
rake was stolen out front while I wal
waiting or o customer. There's al
Ice cream freezer by the steps nov
that worth t~hree-hfty. II somebod,
was to come along and snatch that
Nobody will snatch anything Will,
SIN here" said Cornelia. 1.-THE I'd
dress ID on this card. and please %,
to the servant that you are the lock
smith Miss Halves was to send" gh,
folded her arms and gave her atten
tion to . shelf Of cooking utensils
several feet above the locksmith'
head. That individual after sewers
half.hearted attempts 4 distract heI
attention. put IN his coat and d.
parted on his errand.
The echo Of his footsteps had hardl!
died away when the customer appear
ed. At irst view. Cornelia had o,
thought that he was q customer. To-
be seemed to be strolling along In
somewhat aimless fashion.
Good morning" said Corneiia rta
ing. Can do anything for you 70
day." Then with sudden dismay Oh,
realised that out Of the stock IN th,
hardware store. she knew the pric,
Of but one article. II happens, how
ever. that Cornelia 10 . youns womaI
of resources. Perhaps ! can interes
you In Ice cream %freesers." she said
Oddly enough. this was exactl
what the young man was lookins fol
%. yes" he exclaimed. with seemin
relief. II should like to look at some
thing frst class"
Cornelia led the way to the dool
This II u best freezer" she safe
indicating BY q gesture the article 4
question. III you'l Just set II insid,
please-it's quite heavy"
"lt's \ tribe largo for the aversp