The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-08
TWO THANKSGIVINGS
Eighteen and Twenty-eight.
CHAPTER l.

Folks looked and wondered little
but then folks would gossip about every
thing. There was no stopping their
tongues, and Lillian Travis hadn't the
least notion of placing restraint upon
her lover, simply because she was en-
gagged to him. That might be possible
for some natures, but to hers never.
True, on several occasions she did expe-
rience singular sinking at the heart
when, coming suddenly upon her prom
ised husband and the bewitching Ida
Harris, she found them in a cosy tete-a-
tate, Ida, at least, impatient of inter
ruption. Did she show her annoyance
Not even by the sign so unfailing, o
change of color. Her very blood was
held in check by an indomitable will, o
pride so superior to ordinary attacks
upon it as to be i'll the largest sense ex-
ceptional.
Farmer Travis was a rich and pros
porous farmer, with more land than he
knew what to do with. His wife had
gone home many years before, and Lillian
was his only child, and as thoroughly
idolized as ever fell to the lot of only
child to be.
1t was with sorrow too deep for
words that he finally gave his consent to
his daughters union with Archibald
Glenburn. Not that he had any obiec-
tion to the young gentleman on the con-
trary, he was profoundly sensible of and
grateful for the admirable qualities of
his prospective son-in law.
The marriage was proper enough, if he
could only have kept his child at home.
This would be, of course, impossible.
Mr.. Glenburn was rising lawyer, aud
his clients in New York city were full
days journey from the farm.
The day before Thanksgiving Cold
and clustering outside, but in the great,
roomy country-house it was all warmth
and cheeriness. The presiding genius
had touched and retouched everything
from top to bottom, from the cake and
pies in the kitchen to the hanging
baskets and special sdornments of the
sitting-room and parlor.
The piano was open, and his favorite
music ready on the rack, for the lover
was hourly expected.
As she arranges her abundant dark
hair, and puts the finishing touches to
the lace on her neck, let us see if we can
analyze her thoughts.
They are not altogether happy. In
the midst of all human joys flavor of
bitterness arises from beneath And
what was hers?
Gossips had been busy, as matter OF
course, when her engagement was
known, and it was said, so openly that
it had even reached her ears, that during
the past summer her cousin, the CAV,
heartless, but showy Ida Harris had
done all in her power to win Archibald s
owe.
And gossip said that she had succeed
ed Was il really so9
Lillian started to find herself insensi-
bly, recalling little incidents OF her
cousins visit, which had not been in
the least to that persons credit,
The farmer had gone to tie depot.
1T is too cold, chil1, FOR you to go, u
he said, as LiliaG made ready to &C.
company him. "Tbe wind is as keen
as a razor. and it's an uphill journey
anyhow.
"very well," she replied, placidly.
Not even to her father could Liliai
Travis show her great anxiety to NEE
her intended husband.
So the birds had more seed, the tidie
an extra pull, and the pictures anothe
busting. The new pieces were ever,
che tried, and at last came the farmer
hearty "Whoa !"
Lilian's heart beat quickly, but sh
made no motion to stir.
What xvas that Pa woman's voice
Lilian's heart almost stopped now.
"Where in the world is LIs Here
Archie, take my bag Mercy my arm
are almost broken, and my hands ar
just like sticks"
The sitting room door opens with
bang, and the "sticks" find their wa
about the neck of the now self f-possesse
hostess. Archibald brings up the rea
with carpet-bag, umbrella, overshoe
and waterproof.
Lillian wonders If she is always to b
so bitterly disappointed, but she n
turns her cousins unusual caress, an
smilingly offers to unload her love-
whom che thinks she never saw loolxin
quite so handsome and quite so awl
ward since she has had the pleasure {
his acquaintance.
Where is the tenderness of that we
come she has so delightedly anticipated
To be sure, Archie draws her TO him an
kisses her forehead silently. She fee
sure he is just as glad to see her as 81
is 10 see him, but of course nobody CO
oct naturally when Ida is around.
81 hadn't the remotest idea of cor