Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-11-29
3hisceltanu.
Lilian's Thanksgiving Eve,


Lillian Delano bad Just closed the
great hall door behind her, and stood,
looking at the snow, the first of the sea-
son, which now began to fall thick and
fast.
She was no great lady, this heroine of
mine. but only poor little sesmstress.
Yet she had that rare combination of
beautiful features and lovellness of ex-
preston, which so few possess and many
wealthy heiress would have envied her
the 1.-THE, graceful figure, which made
even old Deacon Grimes pause and look
after her admiringly, as she went down
the street.
"Miss Delano," said voice at her
side, " this is unkind. Wont you even
bid me good-by ?"
The hall door had again opened, and
this time to give egress to young man,
who was the speaker.
Certainly Good-by, Mr.. Bucking-
ham, said Lillian. But she spoke in a
lurried manner, and hastened her steps.
at is late, and dark, aud stormy
May | not see you safely home ?''
"No," replied Lillian, decisively, al
most angrily. "But thank you," she
added, moment after, in softened
tone, all the same"
81 shall come down and see you. then
you can't hinder that. Your mother, at
least, will not shut the door in my face. "
1t was Thanksgiving eve, and Lillian
had various articles to buy, so that more
than an hour elapsed before she reached
home. The little cottage, where her
mother lived, was in the outskirts of the
old fashioned New England village,
where the Delanos had once been the
great people of the place, as the Buck
Inghams were now. She was so late that
both her mother, and her little sister,
Rosa, had given her up in despair, and
had gone to bed.
But here you are,' cried the latter
kissing her again and again. You
dear, good Puss, what kind of Thanks
giving could we have had, without
you ?"
"Pm afraid we shan't have a very
merry one, dear" put in her mother.
"Tve been i'll all the time for the last
month, and Rose couldn't get pay for
what embroidery she's done"
"Never fret, mother" said Lillian. her
face all aglow, and her little hands div
ing vigorously into various baskets and
parcels that surrounded her. :" I've pro-
vided enough for us three. Here's tea
and sugar, mother; and this is butter
and eggs. We can get up cake in the
morning, can't we Rose? And I've or
dered wood and coal"
Mrs. Delano was sobbiug softly, with
her thin hand on her daughters shoul-
u6T Dul Ilbtl6 IbUSG, HeT DdTe letL peep
ing out beneath her snowy night-gown,
was watching with her blue eyes wide
with waiting wonder, parcel that Lii
an was unfolding.
"'Tis for you, dear" said her sister. 81
made it myself at leisure times. All it
needs is some lace. would have bought
that, if Mrs. Buckingham had paid me
in full. But you shall have the lace on
my mauye dress.
| As she spoke, she shook out the dress.
Il was pretty, glossy fabric, as blue
as June sky, and very stylishly made
up.
"Ohl was there ever anything SO
pretty p cried Rose. "Mother moth
er! Think of the Melrose dance Won't
it be just the thing to wear"
" I'm afraid you're a little vain and
selfish, Rose" said her mother, reprov-
iugly. "Your sister expends all on us
and saves nothing for herself,'
"Oh, mother don't, please J" cried