The Nome daily nugget., 1934-12-24

space. "You.re to ride with Mark, Jack. You boys must get acquaint- ed. and I want a chance to get ac- Quainted with. your sister,"
 Jack grinned as he helped them to their places. Nancy said. as she sat down beside the eccentric lady whom she was beginning to like i'm mensely: Its queer, but I feel ac- Quainted with you already; and do you realize we don't even know your name?"
 The lined face frightened humor- ously.
 "The truth is. never tell my name if I can avoid 1t. That's the only grudge I've got against my parents. I've always wondered If their brains weren't affected by the altitude when they inflicted such a misnomer on helpless in- fant. My name, you nice young things, is Columbine Nelson !"
 If their unconventional relative had set a bomb and blown the old touring car into . million bits, she wouldn't have created more sur prise. Jack paused, one foot on the running board, and stared at her; while Nancy gasped: But but you can't be! Why Cousin Co- lumbine's a feeble old lady over seventyl"
 lover seventy. I'll admit" alleged their companion. her eyes twinkling, "but not so feeble as she led you to believe Stop staring at me, Jack. If it's the middy blouse, you'll just have to get used to it. A middy's a life saver in a place like Pine Ridge, where there's no dressmaker. I welcomed them with joy when they came into fashion years ago; and I shall continue to wear them, fash ion or no fashion, as long as they can be bought by mail. The red ones are for gala occasions like the present. Usually I wear blue. Here comes our driver. Will you kindly testify that my name Is Nelson, Marki These young folks seem to be unbelieving."
 Mark Adam laughed as he swung into the drivers seat.
 Tt Is unless she got married when dropped her at the court house two hours back" he stated. T saw that cop give you an admir- ing glance. Miss Columbine."
 "Admiringw Columbine Nelson sniffed contemptuously. "It's more likely he was thinking: There's that old freak come down from Pine Ridge again. Stop at the Cash and Carry for a box of canned stuff. Mark and then head for home or Matthew will get there first and not know where to put the lug gage"
 Cant Aurora tell him?"
 They had turned into a street that faced the mountain, from which Nancy could hardly take her eyes.
 Not Aurora Tubbs." Cousin Columbine was saying. "She's so flustered at the idea of having con- pany that like as not she'd have him put those trunks in the bath room. We have a bathroom, Nancy. which no doubt you'll be relieved to hear. I went to the extravaganza in 1914, just before the great war started over in Europe. remember the date because I was christening the tub when the news came. and Aurora Cher sister married a Ger man, Otto Weismuller, up at Grip pie Creek and as good a fellow as ever lived), came rushing upstairs with the paper. She actually pounded on the door, and shouted: |: Miss Columbinel Miss Columbine 1 Don't bother to wash. The Germans have started fighting. Do you sup pose our Otto will have to goT"
 This brought laugh; and Mark said dryly: T didn't know we'd ever had a christening in Pine Ridge, Miss Columbine. Too bad that party was interrupted by a 4warv'
 Tt wasn't" retorted the old lady. "I called back: Keep still. Au- rora. This is the first tub bath I've had since my mother washed me in tin dish pan with only covered wagon for privacy, and wouldn't cut 1t short if the whole German army was on the lawn. Here comes Matthew now. Slow down. I'm go- ing to stop him."
 She signaied wildly, and a truck drew up beside them, though 1t seemed to Nancy that both vehicle and the driver did so with reluct- ance. The latter started to remove his hat, found he had none on, and blushed furiously. The truck emit ted sort of groan.
 'If you reach home first, Mat thew, just sit and wait till we get there," ordered Miss Columbine. "You can tell Aurora I said to give you a slice of chocolate cake. And this Is as good a time as any to make you acquainted with my cousins, Nancy and Jack Nelson n0nt dPiva rocklpaslv mn tho nQsa