The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-23
CHAPTER HI

When the train pulled into the little station Aunt Amy was at the bottom of the steps to wrap Nikki in a thoro2ghgoing embrace that left them both breathless and laugh ing. Aunt Amy was gray-haired woman, slender. almost angular with a quiet deliberateness which seldom saw a change of pace, but now she held Nikki of at arm s length and looked at her.
 My, my. Such a grownup lady. Why the last time you were out here ."
 Now Amy. Nikki knows how big she was five years ago. Sure she's grown up. Never sick a day in her life. Just like her uncle. But she needs some ranch cookin to put little heft onto her." said Uncle Jim, looking her over criti- cally. Nikki laughed and kissed her bald, boisterous relative.
 Wait minute, you two" she said. Don't you want to meet the man I'm going to marry?" Steve hand't completely forgiven her for the club car incident with Ban croft, but the rest of the trip had passed without incident. largely because Nikki had wisely decided to stay out of the lounge.
 Now she led Steve over and in- troduced him to her aunt who kissed him, and to her uncle who welcomed him largely. Nikki saw out of the corner of her eye that Bancroft and Sarto were standing several yards away by their lug gage, waiting for the family group to break up. Steve hadn't seen them. Uncle Jim finally walked over to them, shook hands and brought them back.
 Amy" he said, "these gentle men are MT. Bancroft and MT. Sarto. They figure on going out to the Lazy R for spell. Reckon you must have met on the train" turn ing to Nikki and Steve. Nikki nodded. We met" said Steve briefly, without looking at Nikki.
 'Come on, then" said Uncle Jim Things have shore changed, Nix Ri. Remember the old truck we used to cavort along in? We'll we got one of them new station wagons now. It was Amy's idea, but 1t certainly does the business Why you can haul dozen people in this thing, with all their bag gage"
 He kept up a cheerful noisy con- versation all the Is miles to the ranch, telling Nikki and Steve about the Improvements and some of the guests already there. He included Bancroft and Sarto in his conversa- ton with a casual wave of his hand . turn of his head.
 Hey Rance" he yelled as the station wagon came to stop in the drive before the ranch house. Here's Nikki" and a tow-headed young man in khaki trousers and shirt came strolling up from the corrals.
 Rance. said Nikki, and kissed him enthusiastically. Rance drew back completely covered with a fine cloud of pleased confusion.
 Looks like 9 lot of kissing goin' on," observed Uncle Jim. Rance, your ears are redder than that COW barn."
 Hush" said Aunt Amy. Rance and Nikki were practically brought up together" she explained diplo- matically to Steve. They're just like brother and sister. Hey Bill, /" she called to wiry young man crossing the yard. Come and take these bags up to the porch" She turned to Steve who was watch ing Bills approach. T can't get used to seeing men around in chaps again. But the customers want hair pants and hair pants they get. Don't mean you, O course" she added, remembering that Steve, after all, was an "easterner" too.
 As they walked up to the ranch house Nikki was amazed at the changes. The old house had new wing on the south which almost doubled It's size, and wide patio ran completely across the front. She saw several men in ten-gal- lon hats, high-heeled boots and bright neckerchiefs over brighter shirts.
 Your hired hands certainly have changed" Nikki said to her uncle.
 Lord, Nlkki, them ain't the hands. All the old boys are guides now. They're around in back. These new whippersnappers are just the atmosphere. They can all ride, though, and they look like cowboys. When you see one kinda hefty around the middle youII know he ain't atmosphere. He's dude"
 Uncle Jim pointed out the cabins to her. There were six of them.
 -Four we built just to accommo- date two people each" he said The other two will hold as many as six. They're for the family groups. All with hot and cold running water" he added grandly. Nikki learned that the new wing held several private rooms and big dining hall.
 Uncle Jim dropped back to ex- plain something to Steve. Aunt Amy was taking Sarto and Ban croft in to register and to get them settled. They had preferred one - -