The Nome nugget., 1934-09-15

T.
 There followed silence before Mother said: I'm not in favor of this move-yet; but I'll have to ad- init that according to Doctor Strong Jacks more likely to be sick If he stays in school" She went on to tell them of the doctors chance re- mark. and added: T thought at the time that he was overcautious. Jack seemed so well; but that boy has grown appallingly, and dare say life in the open air would build him up if he didn't have to work too hard"
 Aunt Judith sank back and stared at her sister.
 "Pd never have expected that from you, Margaret. But If you ask me, Nancy will expire of loneliness in about one month. What will she do with no young friends to run around with, and Jack three miles off on a ranch?"
 The boy laughed.
 You talk as If the population of Pine Ridge was made up of inhab- itants over seventy, Aunt Judy 1 Didn't Cousin Columblne mention . postmaster's daughterl And of course there are others. Who knows but Nancy will ind her-her affinity or whatever they call 1t, out in the big wild west r
 Affinity" 1" sniffed Aunt Louise. "Where did you pick up that non- sense? And it's far more probable that what she'll find Is a devastat- ing attack of homesickness, young man."
 "Well," Jack retorted, that's nothing fatal"
 Tt might as well be-" observed his father. T remember spending a summer at my grandmother's farm when I was twelve. I expected a real lark = but homesick! Well warn you kids that homesickness is no Night matter. Where's Cousin Columbine's letter, Margaret Let's make sure what Is expected of our Nance"
 There ensued a fruitless search for the long epistle; but Mother said: "I remember those duties pret- ty well, Jim. Nance was to dust the mansion every morning, get supper Thursdays, sew. read the pa. per aloud, get to bed by nine. thirty"
 And abstain from the boy friend" chuckled Jack. T admit that last Is big order-for Nance
 "A lot you know If you think I'd run around with those coun. try pumpkins" replied his sister "Would any fellows who could helI themselves stay in backwoods place like that? And I've no inter est in the other sort, so Cousin Columblne needn't worry about those young men callers she mentioned And you needn't, either," Nance told her mother with smile.
 T s'pose you'll see Pikes Peak, observed the small boy thoughtfully Ut rises fourteen thousand feet above the plains, and was sighted by Zebulon Pike in November, 1906 when with fifteen soldiers he climbed to the summit of Cheyenne mountain and
 You see," broke in Jack, grin ming, that's the boy who ought tc go to Harvard Imagine me recit ing whole pages out of history, Dad Why in--"
 He stopped abruptly, because the curtains at the door had parted and maid announced: "Dinner Is served, Mrs. Nelson. "And," (sht came forward, extending a silver tray on which was lying a yellow envelope) "here is another telegram for Mir. Jack"
 Jack took the telegram, staring al 1t for a surprised moment. Ther Phil cried out imaptiently: "Why don't you read 1t? I bet you any thing that Cousin Woodbine has changed her mind"
 "Woodbinew Jack shouted, while even Dad forgot his worries 1T amusement at the little boys mis take. "The lady's name Is Colum bine, you crazy kid, and" Clearing open the envelope). "she says: 'Ad wise bringing plenty of heavy under wear and flannel nlghtgowns fol Nancy Stop Nights and early morn ings apt to be cold. Columbine Mel son."
 'Td give a lot to see Nancy In flannel nightgown," observed Phi dryly. Mrs. Grant had one on thu night I slept over at Tim's house and she came in to give him som' medicine. It made her look like al old lady. bet Nance wouldn't b' found dead in one, or Mothe either. Come on. Let's eat"
 Dad was still smiling as the. moved toward the dining room; bu once seated, he looked l across a Mother and his eyes clouded. Botl were thinking that this would b' the last well-served dinner in th old home. Two maids were leavinl next day: and only the cook was t,