Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-11-20
Lulu's Thanksgiving.
BY LIZZIE MEADE.

No, never by me will thy trust be betrayed,
And Countess I'll make thee, my own gypsy
maid.
Bright, beautiful Lulu Gardner sang
gayly, NO, never" etc, as she bounded
down the steps of her fathers stately
monsion, in the most fashionable neigh
borhood of Gotham, and, after race
down the wide hall with her canine pet,
sparkle" wended her way to the break
faSt-rOOm, where the rest of the family
were assembled. Existence i'll every
way was reality to Lulu. She was the
embodiment of youth in its full enjoy
ment of the present; keenly alive to
every delight of sense, and reveling in
life as a happy certainty of tangible
bliss, quite distinct from the enthusiastic
visions of a dreamer. Young, scarcely
II, full of health and CAVITY, rich, rich,
as she said, her wishes often Out-ran her
allowance, generous as it washer
young life had never known a shadow.
AS she paused at the door, exulting i'll
the bright day and her own happiness,
the pretty creature at her side raised
himself on his hind feet and looked low
ingly and intelligently into her face.
Sparkle" she said, patting him on the
head, Sparkle, did you know this was
the 9th of November, and that it is to
be a day of Thanksgiving all over the
United States? So be good dOggie, and
you shall have much better dinner
than usual"
Sparkle winked his great yellow eyes
and wagged his tail as though he thor
Oughly understood the last clause at
leat. and his young mistress, with
bright laugh, entered the room.
Good morning, papa. A happy day,
Ida, sister mine, and mamma, darling,
how is your head this morning? Better,
| hope" stood to kiss her invalid mother,
to whom she carried the sunshine of
life.
Whom were you speaking to in the
hall, my daughter?"
'Only Sprrkle, mamma; l was telling
him it was Thanksgiving Ida" as she
poured the fragrant coffee, which her
mothers ill-health and her sisters indif-
ference placed on her shoulders, will
you ride with me this morning? 1t is
so beautiful, and l have three or four
places to go. l do wish you would
just this once" cOaxingly.
Not |" returned the elder sister, not
in the sweetest tones. Il expect COM
pany, and, besides, don't care to spend
the morning on one of your charity mis-
siOns tenement houses" And she de-
voted her attention to her beefsteak and
mullins. and congratulating herself that
she was altogether free from the peculi-
arity which led her sister on such er-
rands, and among such people. All,
we'll once before, when the world was
newer than it was now, one held up un-
holy hands, saying: 81 thank Thee that
l am not as other men,"
Many said that Lida Gardner was one
of the handSomest women in New York,
and Ida herself was scarcely disposed
to deny the fact. 1t had been forced up
on her notice so often in the last few
years that at last she took it for grant
ed. Tall of all commanding figure, with
clustering brown hair, eyes of the same
color, and a complexion which was the
envy of all her companions, she had
easily taken her place in society as one
of the most brilliant bellies. And few
looking into the soft dark eyes, and list
ening to the sweet, winning voice, when
she chose to facinate, would have dream
ed of the cold, calculating heart beneath.
Papa" she said, us her father laid
down his newspaper and prepared to
leave the house, "am | to have that
bracelet you almost promised me the
other day? 1t is so lovely, and want
it very much" And the full witchery
of the dark eyes were brought to bear on
her indulgent fathers face. He answer
ed her at once:
Certainly, daughter, l intended you
to have it. Ninety dollars, l think you
said was the price? Well, get it when
ever you choose. And you, Lulu" turn
ing affectiOnately toward her, "what
about your long talked-Of set of coral,
littlesDaisy? VIII you get it to-day"
Lulu blushed and hesitated as she an
swered.
NO, sir, have changed my mind. If
you do not car, would much rather
have half the value in money"
Money! Have you not unlimited
credit, my child ?" said the father sur
prised.
"Yes, SIR stammered Lulu, "but 1
want the money for plan of my own"
Give it to her, dear" said her mother,
looking at her flushed face; Il think l
know what she means"
"Oh, doubtless" sneered Lida, after
her father. handing Lulu roll of bills,
had left the room. Il suspect it is to
buy hymn-bOOks for the mission school,
What a little said we arep'