, 1875-11-28
cot to know that Harrv's neckties grew neore re-
metkable aud his perfurnefy more eveE Thelming

Cousin Tom did not come into the nursery 80
often nov, but the older ones Of us would sone-
times stray into the ,drs"ing-room, and more
| than once when the elders moved into that room
after dinner, AuY stole in with her mother and
fingered there until population wAs sent from
the nufsery to bring her awsy.
So another Thanksgiving eve came. and ne
were none OF Us children any more, while al
ready some of the gay band OF youngsters had
yanianed from among Us to distant houses.
We all sat about tia fire talking shen some
proposed dance. There was piano 10 tho
room now, and although il still retained its old
name, alt it's nurserY-trappings had disappeared
Yea, oried Harry, starting up. "And Ill 60
Bring your father, too." said Annie; j" ID
rather have him for my partner than any Of you
stupid boys"
Groans from the boys" followed this, and
Harry went of laughing.
To reach the:drawng-too be had to pass down
an entry where the light was rather dim, and
| then through tie side entrance ha11. He won't
into the room. gava hia father Annie's message,
] which WAS received with nuch merrlment and
then started back with Amy.
No one ever knew why, but when he and she
! reached the dimly-lighted entry it seemed to
Harry p1opitious moment to urge ais suit.
| "Amy," he said, ''you mist dsnce with me all
the evening, You know love you best"
:HoE foolish you are Harry" abe answered
"Ah. come now" pleaded her companion,
"give me your hand, and promise to be :mipo."
And Amy, With M more serious thought than
partnership in the dauce, let him clasp her little
fingers IN his. It Was only then that she heard
the sound Of step behind them. aud turning
suddenly sau Cousin Tom. He was very white,
and his eyes had strange mournfulness IN
them that Amy had never seen before. but be-
fore size could utter word or Withdraw her
hand he had turned suddenly and disappeared
into the large hall
Amy came into the nursery with such solemn
face that we all began to laugh at her, and, al
though she danced with Harry, the grave e1-
preasion never quite lett her.
AS for Cousin Tom, We saw him no moro that
evening. and early the mex. morning ha went
away. Important business, he declared, forced
him to leave, and great we're the lamentations
that the place Of our fayorlte Was empty when
we all sat down to the grand Thanksgiving din
ner-
And this although it ~as his first absence,
was BY no meaos the last. Before the autumn
festival had come round again, Cousin Tom had
gone abroad "indelnitelv;" he ssid to his
friends. Harry vas in good situation 10 New !
York. and did not need him, no ono Tould miss |
him." This was what he said, rather sadly, |
to my mother when hs came to bid us good |
bye |
The SESSIONS came and went and gray Novem- |
ber brought THANKSGIVING merry making to us !
again aud again, aud still Cousin Tom did not |
return.
at the old homestead now, but those vino did |
come began to bring with them new cousins and |
little baby creatures, 40 that the nursery had !
gone back TO its original uee, and we who had |
long evenings in the great drawiug-room.
Five years had thus passed away, and the
great event Of this gathering was to be thas
Harry "as to bring his BRIDE to it: Yes Harry
was married. With much difficulty Amy at last
had made. him understand that lis suit Of her
was hopeless: and be, after 8 prief period OF
mourning, had consoIed himself With pretty
b'ack:eyed girl as unlike his former love as
possible.
And as for Amy, the yes.B had brought to her
cd into perfect womauhood.
Thanksgiving eve was gloomy and threatening !
SNOW, but two or three Of US resolved jupt before
dusk we would 20 out for little walk We weot
On briskly, enjoying the quiet Of The still conn.
try. that was wrapped 10 soft veil OF gray !
clouds, from which the whit~ askes came aoat-
ing down softly before our walk was half over,
80 that as We drew near the homestead again.
the air war quite thick With the falling SNOW.
As We reached the gate the rest passed us and
went in. Amy and l1near1ng moment looking
ous At The peaceful scene.
uuffled figure at that moment MAS outlined
in the dimnesa tram ling swiftly towards US.
Amy caught my arm with sudden conynlAive
grasp.
"Who is that7" she exclaimed
Her face was Th1te aud she was trembling
violently. I looted eagerly at the new conner,
but before could utter his nsme she had recog-
aized h1m.
"Cousn Tom!''
She uttered the 1orda ID two trenu1ous &C.
,ents, as il overcome with 9raat weight OF
10y, and her eyes lighted up with = radiance |
had not seen 10 them for years, a. she started
forward to meet him.
As for him. great glow OF happiness flooded |
Ill his facs--thas good, honest face We had all
owed 50 much, and. coming TO her quickly, he
:auRht her In his arms.
Amy! Amy!" he whispered, tMy das-
fing!" II
When knew their secret slipped away into
Tie house, leaving then, alona there.
My news Was received with shouts Of delight |
md when at last Tom and Amy made thet ap-
there Was tumulsuous greeting for |
lin, followed presently BY uproa1ioua congratu-
ations for both.
You eee, " said Cousin Tom, 1t last in ex- {
'lana:ion, e I thought Harry had won her, aud
he would never care for an old fellow Like me,
10 went quietly away. But and now that she
Iss liked me al the time, aud, although anu d
der than ever, that she is willing to giva her t
elf to me. "-'' Tiger Lily" In Neta FORK Epe,.~
ng MnA
THE LEPER. {
he stood afoof from the hurryiuR crowd
That thrust her Bsde, shs strpye 10 meet
he eye Of the Stranger who cried aloud,