The Mystery at the Calgary Stampede by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

show,” said Daisy, her
voice uneasy.
    “You know,” said her aunt, “I was going to
wait until after dinner tonight but I think I’ll
give you my pin right here and now!”
    Daisy was surprised. “Really?”
    “I want you to have it,” Judy told her.
“You can wear it tomorrow night. I love the
thought of my pin on the Stampede stage once
again.” She pulled a small velvet box from her
pocket, took out the pin, and pinned it onto
her niece’s collar.
    The Aldens clapped and Benny cheered.
    Daisy ran her fingers across the shiny pin.
“I’ve been so nervous about being onstage. But
with this, I know I’m ready to perform. My
feet will fly in all the right places when I dance,
and I’ll hit all the right notes when I sing.”
    “You’d do all that even without my pin,”
said Judy. “I didn’t mean for you to think that
you need the pin.”
    Daisy threw her arms around her aunt and
gave her another hug.
    Everyone started talking at once with
excitement. Daisy was like a bright light in
the middle of them, and Benny couldn’t stop
staring at her. She looked as if she was going
to spring into dance or burst into song.
    As they were all talking, something caught
Henry’s eye. An older man was standing
by Judy’s portrait. Henry thought that the
man had been there for a while and that
maybe he’d seen Judy give the pin to Daisy.
The man looked about Grandfather’s age,
with a heavy, graying beard. He was shorter
than Grandfather, with a wiry build. Henry
couldn’t see his eyes because the man was
wearing a very large cowboy hat.
    The man stepped up to speak to Henry.
“That’s a special pin,” he said in a low voice.
“That piece would be a nice addition to the
museum!” He explained, “I’m an amateur
collector of Stampede memorabilia myself.”
    All the conversations stopped just then as
Daisy noticed the man.
    The man smiled and motioned to the
painting. “Congratulations, ma’am,” he said
to Judy, “on your many accomplishments.
And you, young girl”—he turned to Daisy—“are very lucky.”
    Daisy didn’t seem to know what to say. Judy
reached out to shake the man’s hand, but he’d
already turned away. “It’s a beautiful pin,” he
said gazing at the portrait. “Not too many
of them around. Hope you don’t mind…” he
said and took an old-fashioned camera from
the big leather bag hanging from his shoulder
and snapped a picture of the portrait.
    Before anyone else could say anything, he
walked away.
    Benny whispered, “That cowboy hat is so
big it makes him look like a cartoon.” He
stopped. “I didn’t mean to sound rude,” he
added, “but it did.”
    Jessie smiled. “I know you didn’t mean to
sound rude, Benny. It is a huge hat.”
“I thought he was rather rude,” said Judy.
    “It was odd how he looked at the painting,”
said Henry. “He was so curious about the
pin and even took a picture, but he didn’t
introduce himself or shake your hand.”
    Judy shrugged and waved her hand
dismissively. “We have something very
important to do now,” she said. “We need
to celebrate! I have a special Welcome-to-Calgary dinner planned for all of us.”
    Benny was pleased with this plan. “Dinner is very important,” he said. “Let’s go!”

CHAPTER 2
Parade Day
    T he next morning, Judy—who had told the
Aldens to call her “Aunt Judy”—got up early
to pack food and blankets. She was ready
to take the children to the parade while
Grandfather went to a business meeting.
    Benny peeked in one of the food containers
and was excited to see chicken wings left over
from the celebration dinner the night before.
    “I have a collection of cowboy hats,” Aunt
Judy told the Aldens. “You can each choose
one to wear.” She looked at Violet. “I have a
purple one for you. It’s my favorite, but I’ll
share it while you’re here.”
    When the Aldens had picked out their
cowboy hats, they all headed out in Aunt
Judy’s minivan, picking up Daisy along the
way. Aunt