The Republican journal., 1872-10-17

floor. This assured me that my breaktas
preparations could proceed, for neither
superstition nor sentiment can exist with
out food, | find. Poor Daisy was in grea
distress when, on rising she found hel
tiny boots staring at the barn instead o
streetward, and she was quite sure
''Some eltin sprite
On mischief hight.
had turned Them Wonderful visions were
related at the table. in which hobgoblins
and knights seemed to have an even chance
Of it. while kitty's demands on my coffee
pot betrayed her hriny condition. Chrssie
was still a trifle pale and preoccupied.
And thus ended, or seemed to end, the
Halloween trolc.
As the last blue vail whisked out of sight
down the road, heartily wished them all
back. But the sunlight and laughter lin
gered long in the old house. cheering me
until the Thanksgiyng preparations com
menced, when Kitty was with me again ;
and while WAS engaged in preparing
"divers and sundrics" of sweets and pastes,
flesh and fowl. her nimble, tasteful fingers
were beautifying the rooms with fest0ons
and garlands and bright bouquets Her
blithe young friends hunted through high
way and woodland for leaves and moss.
grasses and pines, and came in laden.
For several days the great hall was piled
with beautiful confusion Of dark ever
greens, trailing Princess Pine, smoky
wreaths of graceful clematis. great clus-
ters of scarlet and orange bitter-sweet. and
the dazzling Of the snowberrv. Baskets
nt II
cranberry. Wasn't it a lovely frame tor
beautiful faces and graceful forms? Can
YOU wonder the old home was Transferred
under the magic of such influences, and
that q proud hostess greeted the new COM
ers. as by twos and tens they all gathered
under the roof-tree Every nook was fill
ed, from the great e-chamher-double-
bedded tor the occasion-to the old ma
hogany crib for baby Maud
Well, all went on finely, till, lust as we
We're about to march in grand procession
to the Thanksgiving feast. the door burst
open, and. TO our great surprise, Merry
Rollic liaydon, my young nephew, in the
pride and promise OF 4 nearly attained
majority, walked in, with
"Ilow are you all, good kinsfolk, and
my blessed Auntic? | was determined to
come, If il took a leg and though it was
hard to get off, did it; and here's my
chum, MI. Richard Delamore whom in
sisted upon bringing to see genuine
Thanksgiving. He protested, but | knew
you'd give him a hearty welcome, and we
could find q shake-down somewhere. iii
barn or cellar 50 make yourself at home
Dick" Whereat the audacious youth pi-
IL Iva, 4
cousins right from all the feminines pres
ent, Young and Old; in the midst of which
confusion went 10 greet and welcome
our new guest, who was q sclt-possesseA,
handsome fellow, with singular attract
i've expression.
He was soon on an easy footing with
all, and we were delighted at the pleasant
accession to our numbers. His conversa-
tional powers We're exercised nj the table,
and very merry feast we had. tor our
young people We're many, and the elders
We're rpiuycnateI hy the spirit OF the day
and hour. Rollie ana Mr. Deamore were
studying law in the same office, and SEEM
ed 70 feel greater zcst for merriment after
q season of Blackstone and Barbour
There was no end of Jokes and repartee ;
and when al arose from the table, Rolle
caught bhuShing Miss Kitty about the
waist and waltzed down the long dining
room into the parlor. Dick looked very
much as though he would like to follow.
but c0ntcnted hmselfwith offering his arm
to q fair neighbor and walking rapidly af-
ter them.
Il say, let's have T walk" said Rollie
Come, girls, get your wraps, and let us
have 4 tramp tosettle our dinner. We gem
tlemen can't smoke here. and we don't
but fair Vou should ioin us. Aunt Jean
nette, speak for you and Kitty for my
escorts; who'll follow my lead?" The
proposition was met by a general stampede
for wraps. which was evidence plain that
itreceived approval; and atterkeeping my
nose 50 long in the kitchen-fire, was glad
enough to sniff the crisp, clear air SO we
strolled Oft by twos and lhrees, whereso-
ever we listed. kolIie ahead with Kitty
in hewitching little turban, with its sau-
cy red wing perched on one side. aud the
most iaunty Jacket Of glossy seal-skin,
while sober hung on for ballast to this
giddy young couple
'sOh, Aunt Jean, this is perfectly Jolly -
and the dear, daft fellow evidently thought
| fancied it an ill-bred remark, referring
to earth and sky, when knew very we'll
it was solely stimulated by the bright
brown eyes, the glowing cheek and dainty
mouth Of the charmer beside him. All !,
did not see the soft little hand that nes-
tied on his arm drawn closer as the frosty
breezes blew the heecy chestnut curls
against his coat, and, for one look at me,
Il hal al H,,t 7
loved it all, and wondered if the trio be-
hind us were getting on as WELL for
Dick had a lady fair on each arm, and was
skimmng on after u.s. As we turned q
sharp corner heard Il suppressed excla-
nation ahead of me, ;.nd looking up be-
held Chrissic Marstor, 1is-a us, looking
straight through me, apparently at some
one in the rear. Her dilated eyes and flush
ed cheeks aStonished nc but She quickly
rallied, and after greeting us, said hurri-
edlv, in response to ktay's invitation to
Join us,'I can't, I'm going to grandfather's
with mcssage.' ''But, dearie, was Just
going to stop at your gate and ask you to
come up this evening. We are gong to
have lots Of fun; say you will.' After u
moments hesitation she consented and
left ! was somewhat surprised to see her
frequent glances at Mr.. Delamore while
Kitty was speaking, and almost feared
from the conscious blush and dropping 9
eyeids, that our sweet Chris was an incip-
lent tlirt. Rollie, too seemed struck with
it, for as she disappeared he said, "Dick,
my boy, / fear you've smtten that beauty,
whoever she is" "EXactly my query"
responded Dick, ignoring the first clause
MAY ask who your beautiful friend is,
Miss Coles 9''
"Ccrtainly; she is my dearest friend,
and | am glad you like her, for she is
lovely" was Kitty's answer.
''Well, must say that either black is
very becoming to her, or she is an uncom-
monty handsome girl, though am not so
partial to blondes as my friend there" af-
iirmed Rollie.
''My friend" seemed lost in thought,
and fancicd his ladies fair were rather
disgusted at the turn things had taken,
and were ready enough to face homeward.
Most had arrived before us, and the re-
naming hours Of the afternoon We're spent
in chatting and music. After tea, Rollie
and Kitty started off for Christabel, and
| was rather amused to hear Mr.. Della
more's offer in the hall to accompany them
ssilSt to even matters cOminp home chum''