The Nome daily nugget., 1934-12-24
CHAPTER 111-continued

drew a breath born of both amaze ment and delight. To one whose en- tire life had been spent either in crowded city or surrounded by the sheltering. green hills of New Eng tand. such limitless space was al- most unbelievable. For time she watched this unfamiliar world slip by, too awed for anything save exclamations. It all seemed won- derful; a herd of grazing cattle-a clump of cottonwoods beside an lr- rigating ditch-a school house set, in curious isolation considering its purpose; and in the distance patches of green about some lone ly ranch.
 Even Jack was silent, too inter ested, perhaps. to comment; but at last he said: Lets dress, Man. cy. I want to get out and sniff this air at the next station. Break fast's at Syracuse, anyhow, and sayl I think the sun looks brighter here than it does at home."
 This was no idle guess. The sun was brighter-the air more spar kling. Nancy admitted that she had never breathed such air. They cut short their breakfast in order to have more moments to pace the platform. And in no time now" said Jack as they swung reluctant ly aboard the train again, well be in Colorado. I wonder who Cousin Columbine will send to meet us."
 Nance smiled.
 Do you remember her first let. ter? I was to sit quietly in the station until called for!"
 "So you werel Do you suppose they'll keep us waiting long? Gee, Nance! just can't realize that this long trip is nearly over."
 Neither could Nance; but all too soon they found themselves wait ing their turn to leave the train. Nancy, standing behind Jack in the narrow passage. realized suddenly that the hands clutching her pock- etbook were trembling. Indeed, all the fear that had gripped her on leaving home was back again as she emerged into the sunlight and Joined her brother on the platform.
 Jack, smiling a negative to an approaching red cap, rescued their bags from a pile of luggage, and moved toward the station-a beau tiful station that made Nance think of an English manor house. To the west, against an .unbelievably blue sky, lowered snow-capped Pike's Peak, seeming so near in the clear atmosphere, that the girl felt she could reach out and touch 1t. -. 'This place certainly looks civil ized enough" she observed breath lessly as Jack dropped the bags and stood looking about in search of the expected escort.
 "Civilizedi" Her brother laughed "What did you think you'd see? Wild Indians? Of course It's civil ized; but-for the love O Mike, Nance, look thereI"
 Nance looked. An Indian squaw was coming toward them, her shoulders covered by a gay, striped shawl, a wee black-eyed papoose strapped to her back. Said Jack, as she disappeared around a corner: |: '"That relic of old times must have been ordered for our especial bene- it. I didn't suppose they carried their kids like that in these days"
 But she had on silk stockings, Jack, and high-heeled slippers They looked so incongruous with all the rest of her. Well, that'll be something to write home about. wonder if we ought to go inside. Do you know, I-I feel sort of nervous. I wish whoever's coming for us would come and get 1t over with"
 Lets stay right here, this airs 50 marvellous. Do you suppose they often get such days in winteri Watch out, Sisw Jack lowered his voice. Catch onto the old dame in the fireman's shirt"
 Nancy smiled. eyes following her brothers. A white-haired woman had just emerged from the station. She wore . broad-brimmed black hat much like a mans, while her long black cape, being unfastened, revealed a middy blouse of flaming red. Her feet were clad in stout, black, laced boots, above which an inch or two of cotton stocking met dark cloth skirt. An eccentric fig ure, taken-as q whole. "And yet" Nance whispered as she passed them hurriedly. ''she has an air about her. See what I mean. Jack2'
 ''Yeah,s he admitted, "but bet she's crank of some sort, just the same. You know, what they call a-a character. You'd think"
 Jack paused. The eccentric lady had. turned and was approaching rapidly. 'I'm looking for two young people by the name of Nell son." she said crisply. "Haye | found themr