The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-09-08
Relatives
By CLARA BARTON
g. i92I. Western Newspaper Union.

| &c. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)
"Helen. how dared you refuse Mrs.
Smiths invitation In such an ungra-
cious, abrupt manner?" asked Elsie in
establishment.
Didn't you hear her intimate that
she'd treat me just like one of the
family?'
isn't that the height of hospitality,
to make guests feel as IL they were
at homer"
"rhere's no place just like home"
answered Helen emphatlcally, land I'm
rather glad OF ii. Who wants to be
treated when she's visiting with that
easy familiarity and the realisms
showered upon relative|
al haven't done much globe trottlng
and my experience has been rather
| limited" said Elsie, 'but what has
made you so cynical?"
"When visited my aristocratlc cou-
sins the Sterlings, was received with
cordial greetings and had visions OF
a very gay week -end, until Cousin Jane
announced, Put your wraps and bag
anywhere; the maid is out. / hope
you're not hungry as we have only
light lunch. We're not going to make
| any fuss over you, but treat you just
as though you were one Of us
Didn't you have enough to satiate
your hunger?"
Hardly. A simple repast served on
gorgeous dishes is no more sustaining,
even If butler stands in back Of you
and picks up your napkin, than II you
are served on premium dishes that
come with pound of coffee. We were
hardly through when the baby COM
menced to whine. We'll have to stay
with her while the nurse goes on an
Grand. said my hostess. The next
hour was spent In entertaining the
youngster, who broke my eyeglasses
and then laughed with joy"
81 suppose you had to meet all OF
your cousins friends and be on ex-
hibition the rest of the time" said
Elsie sympathetically
mo such luck. AS the infant could
not be trusted alone he was left In my
charge for the greater part of the af-
ternoon while Mrs. Sterling enter.
tanned company. Upon the departure
of her visitors my aristocratic cousin
said in her most charming manner,
'Dearie, Mrs. Johnson can't attend the
meeting of the U. S. L., so have to
write a paper to read In place of hers.
VIII YOU assist me? You're so clever.
1t will be real quiet here tonight. I
knew you'd prefer spending the eve
ming with us rather than by being
bored by strangers"
'How selfish. Didn't you meet any
young men?"
mot that you could notice II. We
labored over the intricacies Of the suf-
frage question until crept TO my room
weary with the words, Votes for
Women ringing in my ears. Hardly
had / fallen asleep when laundering
knock at the door awakened me. Has
tily dressing i rushed downstairs TO
inquire what the trouble was. My
host accosted me with O smile. We're
early risers, he said. Usually our
guests have their breakfasts in their
room, hut as you're just like one OF
the family, we thought you'd prefer
TO join MS. Didn't you rest well? You
look rather tired / assured him I
felt splendid, and then sat down to
listen to family arguments and com
plants about the high cost OF living,
extravagant wives, and sarcastic re-
marks about husbands who were grow
ing too stout"
Rather interesting" commented
Elsie. you're usually so tactful
presume you had eyes that didn't see
and ears that didn't hear family SQUAD.
bles."
"Just So"
''Did you GO motoring oftenT
mo. / was compelled to refuse an
invitation as my cousin said It was so
rarely she had anyone whom she could
trust to tell how gown would fit,
that / should 90 with her to the dress
maker. Do you think It was any great
pleasure to go TO the florists and to
the caterers TO order flowers and
French pastry for dinner to be given
after ! left?"
at any rate, you didn't have any
expense" said practical Elsie.
"You forget the tips for the serv-
ants and the presents for the children
Then Mrs. Sterling forgot her gold
bag and had to borrow mine, saying.
There's no one I'd rather ask than
you Evidently five dollars Is mere
trifle to her, for she didn't return the
money left In It and / never had the
courage to give her q gentle reminder.
That evening / was requested to show
the cook how to make fish timbale
with mushrooms"
ibid they compliment you on your
culinary ability"
UNot paarIv &c much nc tho~, 10