Arizona republican., 1911-08-13


 closed the door without any show of manners. Not that she and Narcissa wouldn't have loved a ride, but it She went back upstairs to join her sister and try and think out way to cheer Aunt Doris up.
 Grandmother Pollard was lying down with a headache.
 Its so near Easter Saturday and Aunt Doddy can't be married unless Uncle Cal calls about it first, can she?" Valora said to Narcissa.
 I've not heard anybody gossip about it yet neither" Narcissa answered. Let's not go to church. Let's take a walk instead"
 "Oh, let's" Valora was delighted. We might meet Uncle Cal"
 We hadn't ought to speak first, if we do," Narcissa said.
 It was not Narcissa who had said, Gosh-all-fire-locks, that last night Uncle Cal ever called. Why, there weren't dny advances Valora would not make to get him back again, since she had driven him away.
 Suddenly she squealed.
 'I made a sacrifice for that swear word, but not to the right one. He should of had my tooth"
 Mercy, Valora," Narcissa sniffed. He has an elk's tooth, set in gold"
 That shows he likes teeth." Va lora answered. She went to her treas ure-box and got the tooth.
 The twins frocks for that bright spring Sunday had not been decided upon; nobody seemed to care what they wore. A last summers white pique lay crumpled on the bed as though Grandmother Pollard had forced an interest and then suddenly lost it, before the hem was let down, and the white pique twin was no- where around. Disregarding this. Va lora seized upon the dress: she knew it was hers by small ink-stain on the cuff, and slipped into it.
 You're a pretty sight, I must say" said her sister.
 You're mad cause yourn's not here" Valora said. struggling to reach the buttons down the back.
 Narcissa laughed with more force than sincerity and pointed to her sis ter's slim legs.
 My, I've growed this winter," Va lora commented, bending for the view Narcissa enjoyed.
 But taking of the dress would be giving in.
 Valora put on her hat.
 You ain't a twin now, for I'm going to put on my blue cashmere. and I shouldn't wonder if you got arrested out like that" jeered her sister.
 There is no stopping a person will fully bent upon going to the dogs and Valora went, alone. The tooth was wrapped in her handkerchief. She headed for Main Street. taking a roundabout course to avoid church She was skipping along below the green bank of the Courthouse Square. when voices hailed her, the voices of three boys and Leah Gardener. They beckoned invitingly. Valora con tinued her way backward. declining the invitation. Leah abruptly de- serted her companions and joined her.
 Where you going. Valora?" Miss Gardeners face was not clean and her handsome red silk accordion-plaited frock had jagged tear. "Oh my, look at your legs!"
 I'm looking for my Uncle Cal" Valora said. "I got something for him."
 He's probably in his store" Leah said. Papa says he goes over his ac- counts on Sundays, when nice men are in church or out riding.
 Want me to go with you?"
 Without further barley she took the lead into Main Street to the store; Leah tried the door. It was locked, so she rattled it hard. After a few mo- ments they saw Uncle Cal. through the glass, rise from a chair in the back and come forward slowly. He opened the door and Leah Gardener bounced in. Valora followed slowly. Then he saw her.
 Hello, little girl!" he said.
 His cheeks were thin and his hair was not sleeked back, a lock trailed down to his eye.
 Been sick, Uncle Cal?" Valora asked, shyly. He shock his head.
 "You look sick" Leah Gardener added. Brought me anything from-your aunt?" he said. his face suddenly look Ing less sickly.
 Vaiora was staring at Leah Gar dener, and suddenly both her little l arms strained out to him. He bent down. "Don't-don't let Leah know you've | not been to see us since this whole | week-oh, don't." she whispered, | hoarsely. He stood back, staring. "When you and the twins aunt go- | Ing to get married?" Leah Gardener | inquired. only to include herself in af- | 'airs of the day. Next Saturday," piped Valora Pol ard. "The additions most done and | he rag-rug Is done" She looked hard at Uncle Cal Barry. | He leaned back stupidly against the showcase. Leah Gardener looked at him. too. There was something of admiration in Ter regard.