The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-01-02

sqiealed. Aunt DOddy'S Sick." and
closed the door without any show oil
manners. Not that she and Narcissa
wouldn't hays loved ride, but /,
scanned uniting the way things were
she went back upstairs to Join her
sister and try and think out a way te
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?" Valera said to Narcissa.
I've not heard anybody gossip about
it yet neither" Narcissa answered
Lets not so 10 church. Let's take a
walk instead"
"Oh. let's" Valera was delighted
we might meet Uncle Cali
We hadn't ought to speak first, ii
We do" Narcissa said.
1t was not Narcissa who had said
Gosh-al!-fre-locks.' that last night
Uncle Cal ever called Why, there
weren't any advances Valera would
not make to get him back again, since
she had driven him away.
Suddenly she squealed.
Il made sacrifice for that swear
word. but not to the right one. He
should of had my TOOTH"
Mercy. valora.9 Narcissa shifted.
He has an elh's tooth, set in gold.''
That shows he likes teeth" Va
lora answered. She went to her treas
ure-boz 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 pretty sight, l must say
said her sister.
You're mad cause yourn's not
here Valera said, struggling to reach
the buttons down the back.
Narcissa laughed with more force
than sincerity and pointed TO her sis
ters 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.
Valera put on her hat.
You amt twin now. for I'm going
to put on my blue cashmere. and
shouldn't wonder II you got arrested
out like that jeered her sister.
There is no stopping a person will
fully bent upon going to the dogs and
Valera 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 inyitingly. Valera con-
finued her way backward. declining
the invitation. Leah abruptly de-
serted her companions and joined her.
Where you going, yalora?" Miss
Gardeners face was not clean and her
handsome red silk accordion-Dlaited
frock had Jagged tear. "Oh my, look
at youralegs!'
I'm looking for my Uncle Cal"
Valera said. Il got something for
him.
Hes 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 parley she took the
lead into Main Street to the store:
Leah tried the door 1t was locked so
she ratified it hard. After 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. Valera 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 CALI? Valera
oShcu, On. ~.
He shook his head.
You look sick" Leah Gardener
added.
Brought me anything from-your
aunt he said, his face suddenly look.
ing less sickly.
Valera was staring at Leah Car
dener, and suddenly both her little
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, dont." 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 at.
fairs of the day.
Next Saturday," piped Valera Pol.
iard. The additions most done and
the rag-rug is done"
She looked hard at Uncle Cal Barry
He leaned back stupidity against the
showcase.
Leah Gardener looked at him. too
There was something Of admiration In
her regard.
Papa says you're the only man liy-
IN ever beat him at any game" she