The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-04-27
Meeting Cousin
Sarah

Ii Sarah /
When the telegram came at break.
fast time Rutherford gave a low
whistle after glancing at it, Then he
passed 1t across the table to his wife.
Goodness. Dick! Is Cousin Sarah
coming?" asked Mrs. Rutherford in a
tone of not altogether pleased sur
prise
That's what she says, isn't it?" re-
piled Rutherford. What time does
she say she will arrive?"
Coming today on 2:4O train;
please meet me. :" read Mrs. Ruther-
ford.
That let's me out" chuckled Ruth
erford "I1I be in court at 2:40 this
afternoon. You'll have the pleasure
OF going to the train, Natalie"
But I'm engaged for a bridge par
ty."
well, my dear girl, you know
cousin Sarah will never forgive us II
she is not met at the station with due
ceremony. You don't want her to
change her will, do you?"
"Of course not" Mrs. Rutherford
laughed "But sometimes, Dick. just
wish your cousin Sarah had never
mentioned her generous intentions.
The fear of not pleasing her with
| Christmas and birthday presents or
of not behaving according to her
standards when she visits US is a
| dreadful strain"
Rutherford was hurrying for his car
when Natalie called to him to know
to which station she was to go.
why, the Well, don't know
There are two roads passing through
Cornersville. I'll look up the train
and telephone you at noon"
While waiting to hear from her hus-
band Mrs. Rutherford phoned her
most AFFECT apologies to Mrs. EN-
mons.
Il quite understand the situation"
said the discounted hostess, gra-
ciously, land If you'll only find me
substitute l shall be most grateful,
for I'm too busy to hunt up any one
now"
Then Mrs. Rutherford, with all the
tact she possessed. began calling up
her frienls, but no one appeared In
clined to play bridge as an accommo-
dation al. a party to which she had
not been invited. All sorts of seem
ingly valid excuses in the way OF
previous engagements and Ill health
were given until in despair Mrs.
Rutherford induced her former bridge
teacher to take her place at the price
Of one afternoons lesson.
well, cousin Sarah's visits come
high, but we must have them" re-
marked Rutherford when, on telephon.
ing his wife, she mentioned this ar
rangenent Nov, about the train.
find there is no 2:40 train on either
road But there's a $3.50 on the Mil
waukee and 2:S5 on the Northwest
ern. Both will have to be met"
well. can't be in two places at
once"
Even l realize that" replied Ruth
erford with mock humility. 'I'll send
Miss Thornton to the union station.
though we're SO busy in the office
don't see how we can spare her. but
guess it's the only way. You re-
member she wrote some letters for
cousin Sarah the last time she was in
town, so she'll know her all right
II you don't find our venerable rela-
tive at your station you come right
to the office, where Miss Thornton
will bring her"
At o'clock Mrs. Rutherford, enter
ing the Office building, met the
stenographer at the entrance.
why. Miss Thornton, didn't you
meet our cousinf" she asked.
"She wasn't at the union station"
was the answer. 81 saw the train
come in and I looked at every pas
senger. I thought she had come on
the other road"
well, she didn't" asserted Mrs.
Rutherford.
Rutherford laughed that evening at
dinner, but his wife knew that he was
disturbed by the non-arrival Of his |
elderly cousin.
Just lost her train, probably" he
said after they had discussed the mat.
ter. We'll certainly hear from her in
the morning mail"
At 1880 they were awakened from
deep sleep by the loud and persistent
ringing of the bell, and Rutherford.
rousing himself, hastily threw on a
bathrobe and rushed to the door.
why, cousin Sarah, you here!"
Natalie heard him exclaim.
Yes. I'm here, and such a time as
rye had. I've been sitting in that
depot nearly two hours, thinking
every minute you'd come. got so
vexed Just about decided to stay
right there and take the early train
back to Cornersville this morning.
Then got to thinking you or Natalie
might be sick and / spent SO on one
of those taxis to bring we I'D here
and do believe I've been ringing the
bell for twenty minutes. never ex-
pected to be treated this way by my
own kim"
You poor dear" Natalie ran down
stairs and kissed the belated guest as
warmly as that angular and angry
person would person. I'm afraid you
didn't telegraph us the right train. We
went to two stations this afternoon"