The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-04-27

that blob" he put finger on the seal.
"I'd say Gran-only she us'ally puts
stamp on when she writes to my
mother"
The angular handwriting also point
ed to old Mrs. Culpeper.
Stone wrote her a short note of &C.
ceptance but was disinclined to trust
it to the twins tender mercies
"How did you come here?" he asked
"We left our carriage at the gate.
We needed fresh air." Patsy asserted
primly. So, Stone walked with them
and handed his note to the old col
ored coachman who was browsing Cd
the box of the Culpeper victoria
Stone was amazed and somewhat
distrustful on receipt of Mrs. Cul-
papers message, yet to his mind he
had no alternative. He must accept
an invitation coming from an elderly
lady. The more he dwelt on the
thought the more distasteful it be-
came to him but go he must
He need have had no apprehension
of stiffness or social strain. Mabel
Culpeper was born TOdhunter of
Charleston, and the graceful manage
ment of men was part of her heritage.
She met him as If he were an old
friend and shortly they felt entirely
at home together.
Tea was brought and with 1t came the
twins, hand in hand on their best he
havior, at least until the cakes were
consumed.
''This is party!" Patsy announced
Il always know it is a party when
see those little black cakes"
Certainly it's a party" her grand
mother agreed. Its your Cousin
Stones coming out party"
Stone started and made no attempt
to conceal 1t, looking to her for an
explanation.
"That is the only complaint have
to make of you, Stone" she said easily.
Down here blood is still thicker than
water. You must have known that
Lorraine Lovely and my mothers
mother were cousins"
"But-but didn't" Stone STAN
mered, bewildered. 81 had no idea of
such thing"
"Then forgive you" Mrs. Gull
pepper was benignity itself as she fired
her next shot. "Of course you will
have to make your peace with your
Cousin Kit when you see him. He had
set his heart on your joining the Hox-
ton Hunt when they invited you"
Invited mel" Stone cried. "That's
the very first / ever heard of II r.
well, dear boy" Mabel Culpeper
had disarming smile. you will own
that letters can't be expected TO talk.
and If you send them back unopened"
$50 that was the letter I returned
What little fool must have seemed"
'Not a fool-only spirited boy.
assure you that / was proud to claim
you when recently learned that yon
were my cousin"
shy DEAR" Mrs Culpeper told Smif
later 81 really liked our new cousin.
If were younger. would dispute his
possession with that fat Miss Mer,
cedes, who has given every one In the
/ UelSUDOTIOOu " uHuCiotohu thdt sur
has him In her pocket"
Sniff replied. "Of course Miss Mer-
cedes means to marry him and. frank
ly, think he'd be happier married.
He badly needs companionship
mot the companionship of that
county fair exhibit" Cousin Nah stated
with a firmness that defied contradic-
ton. "She is shrewd but totally unin.
teresting, and suspect comes Of vul-
gar people of the Middle West. There's
a burr in her speech that can't other
wise be accounted for. II Is the most
persistent of our provincial accents
and although she seems TO fancy so.
calling you honey every other minute
doesn't make one southerner, does
it, honey7 Frankly. ] don't like the
Young woman, although she gives the
most delicious dinners In the state"
$50 rye heard. -. Well. sooner
or later she'll be back among as. ten
years younger and many times more
beautiful. Then well see If Stone can
resist her"
"Do you approve Of the matchr
Cousin Nab was watching her keeHly.
81 do and ! don't" she owned with
entire candor. waving away with one
hand the smoke that partly yelled her