Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1912-01-11
CousiinMack

Mrs. Gregg, VINO culLlVuleu DIeehy,
off-hand manner, had talked, from the
day Of her arrival at her sisters home,
Of the necessity Of her calling upon
her husbands cousin, Collie Mack
So she, with O party Of four or i've
OF her relatives in various degrees,
turned the headlights OF their auto
mobile toward the exclusive village,
or suburb, In which she felt convinced
she would find Collie Mack.
She was still in the seventh heaven
Of self.righteousness when she was
rudely recalled by the mundane curl
osity of the driver. who requested the
street and number Of her cousin.
"Oh," she replied, airily, Its with
some doctor, on Oak avenue, about
two blocks from the car line" Then
she settled back to her fancies once
more.
The driver scowled and turned the
car around. He drove slowly up and
down Oak avenue, scanning the houses
on both sides of the street within a
radius Of two blocks Of every car track,
but to no effect. Finally he gave It UP.
well, 1t amt here" he remarked
witheringly.
"Why, perhaps 1t isn't" genially re-
sponded Mrs. Gregg. Il forgot that it
must have been fifteen or twenty
years ago that he lived here. Oh.
and besides, 1t was his sister who
lived with the doctor, and she was a
trained nurse, so It might have been
that she just had case there. don't
suppose Collie Mack lived there at all.
Wasn't that funny?"
She thought moment. Haven't
you people some idea Of where to
look?" she asked, glancing about ex-
pectantly.
I'VE might look in the city direc-
tory" volunteered her sister.
So the whole party got out at the
nearest drug store and pored over the
list Of Macks.
There's no Collie Mack here, that's
sure" asserted a mutineer.
"Oh, but that's just nickname" ex.
planned Mrs. Gregg. 81 really don't
know just what his name is. II be.
gins with NJ or H. or perhaps it was
w. l can't remember"
"Oh, what's the use, anyway" a
nephew exclaimed disgustedly You
don't know him and he doesn't know
you, and whatll you miss II you don't
see him."
Mrs. Gregg looked at him reproach.
fully and said nothing.
Here II is" cried her brother-in'
law, excitedly. Here's Martin Henry
Worthington Mack! That's all the
initials. They probably called him
Collie because he'd take whole col
umn."
They excitedly viewed the name in
turn. Mrs. Gregg smiled in conscious
superiority. Yes, OF course, that's 1t, -
she exclaimed. MY mind rarely fails
to recall names"
So they climbed back into the car
and broke the speed regulations get.
ting to the address for fear Collie
Mack might get away.
At the door Mrs. Gregg took the
lead. She shook hands with the young
girl who opened the door, exclaiming
delightedfy: well, well! I'm Mrs.
Gregg. and these are my sisters and
my brother-in-law and my baby and a
nephew. Is your father at homer"
Without waiting for reply from the
stunned girl, she made for the stairs,
followed by her train Of relatives.
81 never dreamed that he was mar.
ried!" she exclaimed to the little wom-
an, who in a dazed way offered them
chairs. And this big girl is youE
daughter! Well, well!" And she smiled
with friendly warmth which brought
no response from the hostess.
Suddenly the door opened and a
large Scotchman stood in it moment
while he viewed his callers.
I'm so glad to know you!" ex'
claimed Mrs. Gregg as she fastened to
greet him. And before she knew II
she gave him a warm, cousinly kiss.
my husband, DR.. Gregg. has spoken
so much of you that know you as
well as II ! had always known you
personally, declared Mrs. Gregg
why didn't you let us know that you
we're married? Oh, pardon me; for
got to introduce you" And she turned
to beam on her own party.
The host wore panied and startled
expression, but he bowed gravely. Mrs
Mack seemed to have been turned to
stone.