The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-01-01
1vY,s MISTAKE.
By ROSE nAYNEsfonp.

Et1} IVY'S MISTAKE.
.Br ROSE RAYNEsFoRp.
Thanksgiving eve in the old Sunder-
land homestead, and from cellar to gar
ret hoated delicious odors Of roasting.
turkey, of chickens done to tender
crisp IN their own rich juices and of
gGodly array of pies of all denomina-
tions-such pies, teeming with all the
odors of Araby the blest, as had won
dear, motherly Mrs. Sunderland an en-
-yiable reputation through all the region!
round about.
?, And fitting busily at her mothers
side, in the great, clean, shining kitchen,
with light, feet and the very daintiest,
deftest little hands in all the world, was
the blooming Ivy" sole daughter of
her house aud heart.
u Over her crimson merino was tied a
large white apron-her "seyen-league
apron" Ivy called (which was only
assumed when some mighty and inn.
portant household festivity seemed to.
command corresponding magnitude
in all the preparations; sleeves were
rolled above the dimpled elbows, stray
dab of -four powdered the shining ten
drills of chestnut hair abovethe forehead,
and the usual tender pink of the cheeks
had blossomed into vivid carnation.
There, mother" she said, placing q
gigantic plum cake on the table with a
triumphant flourish, "that's the last /
The baking is done, thank goodness,
and now I'll attack the parlor."
wouldn't tonight, DEAR said Mrs.
There'u be plenty of time in the morn.
ing"
"Oh, no, mother. / promised to be
at church early, to practice the new an
them. They all declare they can't get
along without me. And I thought if I
could snatch an hour sometime between
now and then that I'd finish off my blue
silk-it only needs stitch or two.
Julia Hunt said she might be over after
dinner, and bring her cousin with her.
She's from the city, you know, and so
stylish. And them" she added, with q
rather over-done attempt at careless
ness, it's possible Joe Dalton may be
here in the evening""
"H'ml Joe Dalton" said Mrs. Sun
derland, q little surprised, but too much
absorbed in her contemplation of the
cake to pay strict attention to less i'm
portant matters. "And when did you
hear from him 2"
4Oh, not since he left in the summer.
But he told me then that he intended
to pass Thanksgiving at the 'Squire's,
and that if he did he'd give us call.
But really must begin at the parlor." :"
And into the parlor she went, q curl
oussy-happy light on her face, while
she busted the quaint old spindle
legged piano, and polished the mirror
between the windows, and rubbed the
brass fre-dogs till they shone again.
Then she brought out long wreaths of
fragrant ground pine, and knots of scar
let leaves and garlanded the old family
portraits, and filed vases and baskets,
till the old room was sweet and glowing
as the bower of forest queen.
Perhaps it was all to please Julia
Hunt and her city cousin, but know
that all the while before Ivy's happy
eyes were floating memories of Joe
Dalton's admiring looks when one day
last summer she decorated the room
with wild clematis vines, and still in
her ears were ringing his prat es of
what he called her exquisite artistic
instincts" gsSSBF4s N az
i"Therel ] think he'll like that
she said, as she got down from the
chair on which she had mounted in
pursuing her labor of love, and shook
of the last clinging sprays from hair
and dress; and she began setting the
furniture in order as energetically as
though her feet were not aching, her
hands blistered, and every muscle in
her, body strained and weary
just then the whistle of the evening
train was heard, and away went the
tired feet, twinkling up three FIGHTS OF
stairs to the attic, where, throwing her
skirts about her shoulders, Ivy coddled
down in the window commanding a
view of the turn in the road by which
the 'Squire's open wagon must pass on
its way home from the depot. Yes,
sure enough, there came the. wagon be-
hind the pair of high-stepping bays
Ivy could distinguish the 'Squire's
portly figure on the front seat, beside
the coachman, and behind was slen-
derer form that Ivy's beating heart told
her was Joe. But little half Jealous
pang shot through that same heart as
she saw that lady, evidently young
sat beside him, and marked the devoted
air with which he leaned toward her
one arm extended behind her on the
back of the seat, the other pointing
here and there, as though drawing hel
attention to the different beauties o.
the landscape.
"Some cousin, I suppose" she said tc
herself, as she went slowly down the
stairs to her own room. The apron
must be removed, the silky braids
smoothed with extra care, and the plair
linen collar replaced with frils of dain
ty lace. Then from its little sandal
wood box Ivy drew forth slender
chain and locket, the sole ornament she
possessed, and settled it among the
friIls with a satisfied smile. Tender
brown eyes, crimson lips, a low white
forehead framed in silken curls-it Ger
tainly was pretty picture that looked
back at her from the glass. In spite
of fatigue, Ivy was looking her rprettiest
and knew it, and was SO glad, for who
could tell but what he might come ovel
that very night /.
! However, she said nothing to hel