The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-24
By HARRIET LuMMls SMITH.
tGopyfisht, 4*4l, by Associated Lit
erary Press

1T really isn't anything to get ex-
cited ABOUT, Aunt Nancy, CorpeIia
said soothlnHiy.
&C .neiia herself was not at all ex-
cite.. Her serenity was In most
agreeable contrast to Aunt Nancy 8
nuttering perturbation. TO be sure.
/, was Aunt Nancy's silver closet to
which Corpelia had lost the key.
II II fails into the hands of dis
honest person." observed Aunt Nan
cy. on the point Of tears. then good
by to the silver. including the lovinS
cup frino which General Washington
drank and the tablespoon on which
your great-Erandfatner Bennett cut
his 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 line when
Aunt Nancy executed one of her
Illogical flops.
1T will be necessary to cancel our
Invitations for Friday" remarked
Aunt Nancy. With the silver locked
up and only half a dozen spoons and
three forks available 1t Is out OF the
question TO entertain q dinner party"
Cornelia looked at her watch. Il
will get a locksmith ut once" she
replied. THE key will be ready by
tonight and Mary can clean the
put on her street things, wondering
that Aunt Nancy could not see how
much better II was to be calm and
philosophical in case of some trifiing
annoyance like losing the key OF tn.
silver closet.
Cornelia Is an obseryant young
woman Weeks before, when nothing
was further from her expectation
than the need of such services. she
had noticed the sign 'Iocksmith" Ia
:. window OF little hardware store
near where she was waiting to take
the car. In the direction OF this
hardware store she now bent ser
steps. A bell changed loudly AS sne
opened the door. and 4 wizened
elderly person swooped out from q
back room and asked what she
wanted.
tornella explained. 4 should like
to have you see to the matter AZ
once. IL you please she said for
my aunt is III a great hurry for the
key"
Can't do thing before Saturday. $
snapped the locksmith, seemingly Of
Tended because she had not wished to
purchase a range for the kitchen.
But you must, you know" Cor
nelia answered him kindly. 4 must
! have the key tonight. My aunt en-.
tertains AT dinner Tomorrow"
Il won't have nobody to leave the
store with before Saturday" per
sisted the locksmith obstinately
Then my grandson'il be out OF
school, and. IL he feels like 1t. he'll
stay here while | get the impression
OF your lock. Them jobs is mor1
trouble than they are worth"
Yes. but you see can't wait for
| your grandson" Cornelia explained
! You will have to go at once. l will
! stay and take care OF the things until
| -ou are back
| She seated herself on stool be-
( hind the counter as an evidence o1
| good faith.
| Anybody in charge OF this hers
| store has got to be on to the Job" tbs
! owner exclaimed. only last week 9
| rake was stolen out front while l was
! waiting on customer. There's AT
1 ice cream freezer by the steps nov
| that's worth three fifty. II somebody
! was to come along and snatch that
Nobody VIII snatch anything whils
| I'm here" said Cornelin THE ad
| DIRE So Ia on this card. and please say
| to the servant that you are lock
! smith Miss Halves was to send" She
! folded her arms and gave her ATTENTION
! to a shelf Of cooking utensils severa
! feet above the locksmfth's head. THAI
! individual after several half hearted
attempts to distract her attention. pu'
I on his coat and departed on his err
rand.
! The echo OF his footsteps had hardly
died away when the customer ap.
| peared. At first view. Cornelia hat
no thought that he was a customer, fol
! he seemed to be stroiling along il
somewhat aimless fashion.
Good morning" said Cornelia rls.
! ing. Can l do anything for you to-
day." Then with sudden dismay she
! realized that out Of the stock In this
| hardware store. she knew the pric.
| Of but one article. 1t happens. how.
| Of resources. Perhaps I can Interest
| you in leo cream freezers." she said
with her most businesslike air.
| Oddly enough. this was exactly
| what the young man was looking for
% yes" he exclaimed. with seemins
relief. II should like to look at some
thing FIRST class" Is
| Cornelia led the way to the door
This IL our best freezer she said
indicating by a gesture the article Ia
| question. 1T you'll Just set 1t inside
please-t's quite heavy"
! IT'S trifle large for the avera "a
. family. isn't IT." asked the youna
man
/ Ccrrelia took alarm. She woule
have had no objection to selling Q
smaller freezer had she known thS
/ price of the others in stock.
! y shouldn't sdvice you to ret {
smaller sise.'' she said firmly. ut Il