The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-10
THANKFUL BLOSSOM.
4 ROMANCE OF THE JERSEYS.
i,,s.'
BIT BEET HArrH.
PART LII.

OF the orchard, lingering q moment under
each as trout fingers in the shadow oftho
bank in passing shallow. and so reached
the farmhouse and the kitchen door, where
she entered. Thence by baok staircase
she slipped to her own bower. from whose
window half an hour before she had taken
the signalling light. This she lit again and
placed upon n chest of drawers. and, taxi
ing of her hood and a shapcless, sleeveless
mantle she had worn, went to the mirror
and proceeded to readjust "a high horn
comb that had boen somewhat displaced
by tho Captains arm, aud otherwise, after
the fashion of her sox. to remove all traces
of previous lover 1t may be here OBJ
served that man is very apt TO come from
the smallest encounter with his dulcinea
dtstrdu, bored, or shamefaccd-to forget
that his cravat is awry. or that long
blonde hair is adherng to his button. But
rs to UddemoiSelic- vol, looking at Miss
Pussy's sleek paws and spotless face. would
you ever know that she had been at tho
cream jugi
Thankful was. think, satisfied with her
appearance. Small doubt but she had rea-
son for it. And yet her gown was n more
slip of fowerod chintz, gathered at the
neck. and falling at an angle OF fifteen de-
grees to within an inch OF q short pettiooat
Of gray flannel. But so surely is the COM
plete mould of symmetry indicated in thu
poise or line Of any single member that
looking at the erect carriage of her grace
full brown head. or below to the curves
that were lost in her shapely ankles, or the
little foet that hid themselves in the broad
buokled shoes, you knew that the rest was
ss genuine and beautiful.
Mistress Thankful, after pause. opened
the door and listened. Theu she softly
slipped down the back staircase to the front
hall. II was dark. but the door OF the
company room" or parlor was family
indicated by the light that streamed be-
meath it. She stood still for moment
| hesitatingly, when suddenly hand grasp
ed her own. and half led, half dragged her
into the sitting room opposite. 1t WAS
dark. There was a momentary fumbling
| for the tinder box and flint. a muttered
| oath over one or two impeding articles OF
furniture, and Thankful laughed. And
then the light was lit, and her father. q
gray wrinkled man Of sixty, still holding
| her hand, stood before her.
| "You have been out, Mistress
| 81 have" said Thankful.
| "And not alone" growled tho old maA.
angrily.
mo" said Mistress Thankful. with .
smile that began al the corners Of hor
| brown eyes, ran down into the dimpled
curves of her mouth. and finally ended in
the sudden revelation of her white toeth:
mo. not alone"
with whom,o asked theiold man, grad
ually weak kening under her strong. sauoy
presence.
| well, father said Thankful. taking O
seat on "A table, and swinging her little feet
somewhat ostentatiously toward him. II
was with Captain Allan Brewster Of the
Connecticut Contingent"
"That manr'
"That mani"
81 forbid you seeing him again"
Thankful grippcd tho table with II hand
on each side of her, TO emphasize the state
ment. and swinging her feet, replied;
IL shall see him rs often rs | like. fa-
theri"
Thankful Blossomr
"Abner Blossoml'
al see you know not" said Mr.. Blossom.
abandoning the severely paternal manda-
tory air for one OF confidential disclosure.
~ see you know not his reputation. He 10
accused of melting his regiment to revolt
of being traitor TO the cause"
And since when, Abner Blossom, have
you felt such concern for the causef
since you refused to sell supplies to the
Continental comnissary. except at double
PROFITS, Since you told me you were glad
l had not politics like Mistress Ford
Hush" said her father, motioning 70
the parlor.
Hush" ECHOED Thankful, Indignantly,
81 won't be hushed! Everybody says
Hush to me. The Count says Hushl'
Allan says Hushl' You say Hush!' I'm
a-weary OF this hushing All. II there wA
a man who didn't say 1t to mel" and Mis-
treas Thankful lifted her fine eyes to the
ceiling.
"You are unwise, Thanktul foolish, in
discreet. That Is why you require much
monition."
Thankful swung her feet In silence for .
few moments, then suddenly leaped from
the table, and seizing the old man by tho
lappels OF his coat, fixed hor eyes upon
him, and said, suspiciously, "Why did you
keep mo from going in the company roomf
Why did you bring me IN horof
| BLOSSOM bouiOI WIS btHHSoIol lOI n HlO-
ment. because. you know, the Count
And you were afraid tho Count should
know had q sweetheart Well-I'll go in
and tell him now," she said, marching
toward the door.
"Then why did you not tell him when
you slipped out an hour agol Eh. lass ="
quered the old man, grasping her hand.
"But It's all one, Thankful-'twas not for
him stopped you. There is a young spark
with him-aye, came even as you left, lass
"A likely young gallant, and he and tho
Count are jabbering away in their own
lingo-a kind OF Italian, belke-eh, Thank
fur"
81 know not" she said, thoughtfully
(Which way came the other'" In fact, a
fear that this young stranger might have
witnessed the Captains embrace began TO
creep ovOr her.
From town, my lass"
Thankful turned to her father rs II shs
had been waiting reply to a long asked
Question. "WellY
"Were il not well 10 put on few furbo4