The Nome daily nugget., 1935-01-19
CHAPTER Iv-continued

out WHy uluA yOu BO cdSI TUT u visitY' questioned the boy, forget ting the consternatlon he had felt at this Idea when, weeks before, Aunt Louise had read aloud the letter from their distant relative.
 Because" responded the astute old lady, q was not sure of a well comet realized that was noth- ing to my eastern cousins but bit of family hist0ry-a queer old wOm- an, perhaps, who was born in a covered wagon, and whose life had been lived in little Colorado town. Besides, I dreaded to be away from home, even temporarily. My roots go deep, like the roots of an old tree that has never been transplanted I admit I toyed with the idea; but gave 1t up; and the next thing was to get some of you to come to me-"
 She paused, and Jack said, smil- ing: "But how did you happen to pick out Nancy?'
 "I could hardly expect the older members of the family to drop their work and come at the whim of a cousin whom they had never seen, could I? Besides, had a yearning for some one young. But I've read about these modern girls, Nancy, and was just a bit afraid. Sup pose, I asked myself, suppose I get her out here and find she is one of those-those flappersT
 Both young people gave way to laughter. the word sounded so strange on the old lady's lips.
 Do you see now" asked Cousin Columbine, "why I wrote that let ter?"
 "You mean" said Jack with sud den inspiration. "that no flapper would have accepted your invita- tion?"
 "That's 1t, exactly. No girl whose sole pursuit was pleasure and so- ciety, would have been willing to put up with such situation. But a girl like Nancy, would, was sure, be glad to help out poor old lone ly cousin. So I made the job as unattractive as I could. It's true that Aurora doesn't do everything my way; and that often Pm des- perate for some one to take a stitch , for me, since loathe the very sight of a needle and always did. Oh, there was enough truth in that let ter so it didn't lie very heavily on my consciencel And when I read it over I said to myself: 'Colum- bine Nelson, no one but a good, sensible, old-fashioned girl would consider this proposition for a min- ute; and you don't want the other kind So mailed the letter"
 The room was silent for mo- ment. Nancy's cheeks famed, not solely from her close proximity to an alright stove. What would Cousin Columbine think if she knew how impossible that proposi. tion seemed to her-that nothing in the world save Dads financial losses would have made her give it a sec ond thought-that she wouldn't have considered it even then if Jack hadn't thought out this scheme and put 1t through while she fought him Cor wanted to) to the last ditch Nance knew she was sailing under false colors, and didn't like it. She even avoided meeting her brothers eyes as she responded: I'm afraid you'll be awfully disappointed in me, just the same"
 "No," asserted Miss Columbine briskly: q either like person al first sight, or I don't like them Been that way always. I'll admit you look rather ornamental; but that's nothing against you if there are brains in that pretty head of yours, and I don't doubt that, you being Nelson. As for your broth CT, his brains were evident in the letter he sent me. Back in my ia. ther's day he would have been a pioneer. He's got the spirit, and that's what counts. my dear"
 Jack flushed now, not being as sure as Cousin Columbine that he possessed the courage of his fore. fathers.
 "When do go to work2" he ques. toned, in an effort to change the conversation.
 The old lady hesitated, and then said: Here's my second comics. sion: When I sent that telegram l had job for you on the Mckenzie ranch over Divide way; but the next day Mrs. Mckenzie telephoned that her nephew from Boulder wanted the place after all. Don't look distressed, Jack. You'll have a job here before the week is up I hoped the Adams would have something for you to do. but there are so many boys in the family they seldom hire outside help"
 Jack was drowning a little. He said: T must get something as soon as possible, Cousin Columbine. don't want to sponge on you for board"
 "Fiddlesticksi" she retorted. "This Is the first time I've had company in fifty years. But I've asked Mark Adam f0 ha 0n fha loohonf end