The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-12-19

got something on her mind, or IN her
constitution. It isn't that; / don't be-
ieve she's thinking overly much OF tur-
keys to-day. It's either worry o some
sort-or the typhus."
"She did look flushed up, as body
might !. say" answered the brother.
"But that's neither here nor there.
We've somehow got used to having
turkey-and better spread in general
ION Christmas day, and it's been
mostly her doings. I think l should
miss it myself if it was stopped off
short; and it amt hardly fair to take it,
every year, off her share. Now, I've
about made up my mind to give one o
my best this time"
sOh, Jerry! and SO I'd about made
up my mind to give mine. Either way,
whichever it is, kill one 1aoav, say l, and
have it picked and drawn before she gets
back!" I'D
While the two are walking toward
the barn-yard, taking two or three ears
of corn from the crib on the way, let us
leave them to follow Susan as she drives
toward the village.
Yes; there was really something the
matter with Susan Lane. A neighbor,
meeting her in the road, might have at
tributed her bright eyes and glowing
cheeks to the tonic of the crisp, inspir-
ing December air; but she, herself, was
well aware of an almost feverish mixture
of hope and anxiety, which gave her a
sense of dryness in the throat and COM
PEELED her pulses to make ten beats more
to the minute. The steady old plow-
horse that drew the buggy knew it also !;
the impatient touch of the whip on his
TANKS was succeeded by istless care
lessness, even on the levels where he
was so we'll accustomed to trot. He was
wise enough to take advantage of this,
and had very leisurely reached his usual
post in front Of the store, when Susan
gave him the greatest surprise of his
life by suddenly jerking his head in the
opposite direction, driving through the
village half a mile into the valley be-
yond, and then turning down meadow
road to grove where temperance meet
ings and summer picnics were some
times held. IN
Her visit to such an unusual place, at
that season, was not unexpected Scarce
had she drawn rein upon smooth,
open piece of turf near the bank of the
stream, when two men rode forth be-
tween the thickets to meet her. One
of them had dismounted and was at her
side before she could alight from the
buggy; the other let down the top, came
to the other side and took her second
kiss. She was so excited that her voice
trembled, in spite of her efforts to keep
it steady, and her eyes filled with tears
which at last overfowed. ~
"Oh"- (but we must not repeat the
names she uttered, or the whole secret
of the adventure might be guessed in
advance), "and oh, -! And you've
really come? Inever had so much on
my mind before, and I don't know how
to bear up under it It's like something
out of story something that does not
really happen after all this time"
Here her voice fairly broke down,
but the first rider sprung into the bug
gy, seated himself beside her, and held
her very gently and tenderly in his
arms
The second of the two men
smiled. "He doesn't know every
thing yet by long shot," he
said pointing to his friend-"no nor you
either, Susan! A good deal more came
into my head, on the way home; it's
nothing that costs a great deal, and I
mean, this once, to try if I can't have
real pleasure of my own making"
Il think it is sign of luck" she said,
" that you are able to come now, at
Christmas. And I'm tempted to give
up everything else, and take you home
with me in the buggy
''''Susan!" cried the one who sat beside
her.
ono, Evan!" she answered in soft
voice, II didn't really mean it, But
am not used to keeping secrets from
them at home. It has been very hard
to say nothing about the money for
three years, and you know what has
been harder still. Now that my waiting
is so near over, think I could better
bear it longer than the uncertainty be-
tween now and tomorrow night"
"Come, now, Susan!" said the first
s." Since you've helped me to pull through
my trouble, don't you suppose I mean
to see you squarely to the end of yours?
Evan, you didn't carry me off the field
on yonr back, at Charlottesville, for
nothing! Get down out of that buggy!
She'll make you as nervous as she is
herself. [ won't have it, I tell you.
Susan, take look at this horse, so that
you'll recognize him when you see him
a second time ~ a,s--.s..r--.s-s.-