The Nome daily nugget., 1935-01-12
CHAPTER 1v-continued

Hbhamcup MdttucW Audu. OOn believe in divorce; and I wouldn' marry your brother if l was i, widow woman and he the only nal, creature in Pine Ridge. He's got { dckle nature, Mark Adam has; ant I've always said, give me a faithfu man or none at all. Help your self to another slice, Matthew, i you're so hungry you have to licl the frosting off your fingers. Ant then you'd better be starting along home. These young folks will wan, to begin unpacking; and if you've got some good. thick cotton stock ings. Nancy, advise you getting into them double quick. Did you travel all the way from Massachu setts in that dress? It looks real fresh. If you'll give me your trunk key I'd admire to unpack for you
 @No doubt you would." spoke ur Cousin Columbine, "but it's high time you were thinking about our supper. Aurora. Better take more cake to munch on the way home boys; and here's couple of dollars that l owe you"
 ''What for?" asked Mark, puzzled eyes on the proffered money.
 '.For carting those trunks and us you donkey" she replied.
 ''Great laundering prairie dogs Y exploded Mark. Do you take us for pair of gyps. Miss Columbinei Come on, Matt, we better get going. The lady wants to pay us for lit tie matter of lifting trunks!"
 '.The cake was pay enough, Miss Columbine." Matthew assured her with . shy smile. I've wouldn't think of taking any money. Good pight-er = goodnight, everybody, he added, and hurrying to escape, collided with Aurora at the door.
 This caused still further confu- sion. the young man apologizIng. his face scarlet; and Aurora. demanding to know why he didn't look where he was going.
 Land knows I'm not so small he had to miss me in the landscape" !" she complained as Matthew van ished, his ears pink with embar- rassment, wedge of the precious cake in hand. If that's a third slice of cake you're cutting for your self, Mark Adam, you'd better go easy on your supper or I won't be accountable for how you'll feel come midnight That's rich cake; rich er'n commop because of company. If you don't hurry Matthew will get home first with all the news"
 You sure do speed the parting guest, Aurora" he commented, '.but don't you worry about that news I'll oyertake poor Matt before that cruel blush has had time to subside Goodnight, Miss Columbine. The cake was bully"
 There was surely nothing shy about this young man, thought Nancy, as he extended4a friendly hand to all of them (nct emitting Aurora): lifted his third slice of cake from the platter, and said: -I'll drop in tomorrow and see if you've got acclimated."
 To all appearances he was ad- dressing Jack but his eyes were on Nancy, and Aurora burst out as the door closed: ''I warn you straight off, Nancy Nelson, that you must take anything Mark Adam says to you with a grain of salt. He's as unreliable as an April snow storm and has broken more Pine Ridge hearts than anyone on record up to date. There's an innocent look about you that makes me tremble, and l feel 1t my duty"
 "Oh, hush up!" commanded Cousin Columbine. while Jack found sudden interest In the landscape. So Nance looked innocent That was a good onel He'd have to write that to Aunt Judy. And wasn't 1t distinctly understood that there were to be no boy friendsf It was mighty queer about Cousin Columblne, unused the boy, still at the window. She was no more what you'd expect from her letter than-than Nancy was like Aurora Tubbs. There was certainly something to explain here, and
 He wheeled about nt crisp com mand from this surprising relative.
 "Wake up, Jack. Time enough to get acquainted with Pike's Peak after you're settled. want to show you your rooms before 1t gets too dark. Bring those bags along and wen go right up. I dare say you're used to electric lights; but lamps and candles are all can provide you with. The stairs are steep; but high ceilings were stylish when Father built the mansion. and he wanted the best. Therel This is the tower room. my dear, and l hope you'll like it. There Isn't . finer view for miles around
 However prejudiced Columbine Nelson might be aS to the value of her property. she did not oveFesti- mate the beauty of her view. Even in the fast dsepsnihs twiiiEht.