The Coolidge examiner., 1931-11-06

was likely, on their departure, tC
crumple their carefully wOrded no.
tice and throw it on the floor. Sa
bra, though she made short work
of the visiting Venuses and Re-
bekahs, ran their notice and. if nee
essary, carefully rewrote it.
God Almighty" he would
grOan at MONDAY dinner. The
office was full of Venuses this
morning. Like a swarm of over
stuffed locusts."
Sabra was at the head of many
of these Betterment movements.
Also if there could be said to be
anything so formal as society in
Usage, Sabra Cravat was the lead
er of it. She was the first to cleo
trify the ladies of the Twentieth
Century Culture club by serving
them Waldorf salad-that abOmin-
able mixture of apple cubes,
chopped nuts, whipped cream, and
with little cries and murmurs.
Thereafter it was served at club
meetings until Usage husbands, re-
turning home to supper after a
days work, and being offered this
salvage from the feast, would push
it aside with masculine contempt
for its contents and roar, Il can't
eat this stuff. Fix me some bacon
and eggs"
From this culinary and social tri-
umph Sabra proceeded to pineap-
pie and marShmallow salad, the
recipe for which had been sent her
by Donna in the East. Its indi-
rect effects were fatal.
When ii again became her turn
to act as hostess to the members of
the club she made her preparations
for the afternoon meeting, held
at the grisly hour of half-past
two. Refreshments were invariably
served at four. With all arrange
mentS made, she was confronted
by Ruby Big Elk with the astound-
ing statement that this was a
great Indian festival day (Septem-
ber, and the corn dances were On)
and that she must go TO the reser-
vation in time for the Mescal cere-
mony.
You can't 60" said Sabra. fiat
ly Midday dinner was over. YAM
cey had returned to the office. Gin
was lounging in the hammock on
the porch. For answer Ruby turned
and walked with her stately, ir-
ritating step into her own room
just off the kitchen and closed the
door
Well" shouted Sabra in the
tones of Felice Venable herself, "if
you do go you needn't come back"
She marched out to the front porch,
where the sight OF the lounging
Gin only aggravated her annoy
ance.
This ends it. That girl has got
to leave"
what girl?"
RUBY. Twenty women this after
noon. and she says she's going TO
the reservation. They'll he here
at half-past two" II was rather in
coherent. but Gin, surprisingly
enough. seemed TO understand.
'But she told you month ago"
TOLD me what? How do you
knOw?"
Because she told me she told
YOU. ever so long ago"
Maybe she did. She never mem
toned 1t again. | can't be expected
to remember every time the Indians
have one of the pOwwOws. I told
her she couldn't 90. She's in there
getting ready. Well. this ends 1t.
She needn't come back"
She fiOunced out of the kitchen.
There stood a mild-mannered young
Indian girl unknown TO her.
"What do you want?"
II am here" the girl answered.
composedly. ito take Ruby Big
Elk's place this afternoon. am
Cherokee. She told me to come"
She plucked Ruby's blue and white
checked gingham kitchen apron off
the hook behind the door and tied
il around her waist.
"Well !" gasped Sabra, relieved.
but still angry. Through the Kitchen
window she saw Gin hitching up
the two pintos to the racy little
yellow phaetOn that Yancey had
bought. She must run out and tell
him before he left. He had seemed
disturbed. She was glad he was
clearing out She liked having the
men folks out of the way when
afternoon company was due.
Ruby's door opened. The girl
came out Her appearance was
amazing She wore a dress of
white doeskin hanging straight
from shoulders to ankles, and AS
soft and pliable as velvet The hem
was fringed. Front sleeves. collar
were finely beaded in an intricate
pattern that was more like en-
broidery than beading. On her fee
were moccasins in ivory white an"
as exquisitely beaded as the dress
1t was the robe of princess. He
dark Indian eyes were alive, He
skin seemed to glow in cOntras'
with the garment. The girl was. fol
the moment, almost beautiful.
Hello, Theresa Jump.
This is Theresa Jump. She will DE-
my work this day. | have told heI
| will be back tomorrow morning
She walked slowly out of the
house by way of the kitchen door
across the yard with her slow in
solent dragging step A stab 81
suspicion cut Sabra. She flew to
ward the barn. Gin drove out win
the phaeton and pintos. He saw thc