The Nome daily nugget., 1934-12-31

and then gave up the idea, think
 ing the land worthless"
 "Imaglne owning the Garden of
 the Gods P gasped Jack. Has 1t
 always gone by that name, I won-
 derT
 Tt has as long as l remember ;
 but the early settlers called the place Red Rocks. No need to en- courage a stiff neck, Jack, by trying to see out of the. back of your head. gaWe'll all driSe"-down some day and explore the Garden.' If the West had seemed wonder full from a car window, 1t was thrice wonderful from Mark Adams dilapidated fiivver. The young Nell sons were never to forget that ride. Such spectacular beauty was new to both of them. Glimpses of rushing water far below-the rocky cliffs and hillsides far above-sharp curves appearing with alarming ire Quency; and over everything sky of deep azure such as they had not imagined. was, as Nance wrote the family later. too wonderful for any words of hers.
 ''There!" exclaimed Cousin Co lumbine when those impressive cliffs were left behind, that's over safely. Time was when that pass was really dangerous. It's a boule- yard now compared with those days. Thanks for blowing the horn so often, Mark. know you did 1t for my benefit, though my worst enemy never called me nervous. There's Matthew drawn up beside the road. Do you suppose he's had a break down? That truck of yours Is get ting pretty ancient"
 There's plenty O life in that old truck yet" defended Mark. All my bashful brother wants, most like ly, Is for us to get home first so he won't have to describe these-er- newcomers to Aurora Tubbs. Matt says Aurora takes away his power of speech when she slings ques- tions at him. He says it's no won- der Victor Tubbs went into de- cline. Hi, there, Matt! Want us to tow you homer"
 The older Adam smiled a negative as they passed; and Nancy said: Doesn't your brother ever wear a hat?"
 Mot sos you'd notice It. Dad says that's all Matt learned in col lege-going bare-headed."
 Mark turnedNto throw a smile at Nancy and barely escaped colliding with 6 rock.
 Mind your driving" ordered Miss Columbine.
 "Yes, ma'am," replied the youth with meekness: and turned his head again, this time to wink.
 The winter day had seemed almost balmy to the New EngIanders; but as they reached more open country and the shadows of afternoon began to deepen, Nance was uncomfort- ably conscious of the changed at- mosphere and lack of lap robe. Thus 1t was a relief when Cousin Colum- bine announced that they were near ly home.
 "Stop after you cross the track, Mark, and let them get good look at the Peak from this side-our side. I call 1t. You see, I've lived in the shadow of that mountain since the day was born, and 1t seems to belong to me-"
 Mark nodded, crossed the track, turned sharply to the left and stopped the car, while Nancy uttered cry of genuine delight. Cousin Columhine had not exaggerated. Pike's Peak was beautiful from here, It's snow crest lifting above a for est of dark pines. Said Jack, after an awed moment: That's great, isn't iti" And the old lady respond ed: "I'm glad to see that you appre- ciate nature, for it's all I have to offer except hospitality. This Is Pine Ridge, my dears. I dare say 1t looks provincial to you; but it's home to me-"
 Home! Nancy's eyes strayed from the mountain, and with difficulty she suppressed another exclamation one of dlsmay. Pine Ridge! Why 1t was nothing but a struggling, dus- ty street. Had they travelled two thousand miles in order to spend weeks. months, goodness knows how long, In such a spotf The grandeur of the mountain was for gotten in that desperate moment. All the girl saw was a row of for lorn frame buildings, their elusive fronts rising deceptively to the height of an imaginary second story. their elapboards bare of paint. their porches sagging.
 As the car moved forward even Jack was dumb. They passed . filling station-a grocery-the post L a |