Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-11

very much mind if there wasn't sir
loin of beef, or turkey ?"
"a lark's leg will do, little housekeep-
er. But must get to work; my Christ
mas sermon must be preached, beef or
no beefl'
When Nora heard the door of her
brothers little study close, she began
to puzzle over the plum pudding ques-
ton, and had q hunt for her cookery
book. Failing to find it, she suddenly
remembered she had lent it to an old
lady who was living in tiny cottage
near.
I'll run over for il" exclaimed Nora;
and she took thick cloak from the
hall, and tying a white shawl over her
head she put on galoches, and stepped
out into the frosty air.
In five minutes she was sitting by II
bright fire opposite a very old lady,
who seemed much pleased to have
such sunny presence IN her barely
furnished room.
"To bad of me to forget your book,
my dear" said Mrs. Bennett, gently,
"but you are not going to cook tonight,
ell ?"
"No, not tonight, Mrs. Bennett"
said Nora with smile, and look of
importance; "but | must make our
Christmas pudding tome GROW"
Indeed! thought you told me you
were to dine at the Great House."
"We were--but we are not going
now" and Nora colored.
"Well, wen, my DEAR" said the old
lady quietly. "you and your brother
will have each other" and she sighed
and Nora looked around the room, and
thought how dull Christmas would be
for her old friend.
A bright thought! but was it possible ?
Certainly not, if the joint consisted of
q lark's leg. And while Nora was pom
dering, the old lady was watching her
changing face. At last the young girl
spoke.
II was thinking if you did not mind
very plain dinner, whether you would
not come to Raymond and me on
Christmas day, Mrs. Bennett2'
"You are kind, dear child. Your
company would cheer me; if you
would not feel me trouble"
80 no !" eagerly cried Nora; "but
don't scold if the dinner is badly cook
ed, for have to do it all. We had
given our servant leave to 60 home for
Christmas day before-we knew-about
not going" the words came awkardly
out; "and now we must let her CO."
"Of course" said the old lady, brisk
ly; "and you will let my old Ann
come over and help you in tine morn
ing, and then you can 60 comfortably
to church. Good night, my dear; don't
catch cold running home"
When Nora told Raymond next
morning about the invitatian she had
given, he looked comically dismayed,
but said nothing; and when he came
home from his long days work he was
relieved to find his sister standing,
smiling and important, beside large
hamper, lovingly nursing a fine turkey
in her arms, and looking down upon a
handsome York ham.
Gust come, and addressed to me?'
she cried breathlessly, holding the
turkey towards him; but he merely
looked his admiration, and did not take
hold of the well-trussed bird.
81 say, Nora, was it addressed to Miss
Langley
"Yesw
"Then of course, it's for Vera, and
has come here by mistake"
"OW groaned Nora, getting quite
pale, rs she slow y laid down the tur-
key and looked for the label. When
this was found she shouted for Joy.
"Msss Nora Langley" as large as
lie. Why do you give people such
horrid starts, Raymond. ?"
"All right. / am as pleased rs you
are; and Mrs. Bennett will get q good
dinner after all.
The old lady came over on Christ.
mas-eve to advise Nora in her house
keeping arrangements, and was buisily
engaged in actively helping to mix the
pudding, with her sleeves tucked up,
and large holland apron pinned over
her black gown, when Vera drove u p
in her pony-carriage.
"How tire ONE !" said Nora, AZ she
espied her visitor. what can she
have come for p
Perhaps to try to make you 60 to
them tomorrow. Please do not let
your invitation to me prevent pleas
ant visit" begged old Mrs. Bennett"
because, you know that l must leave
you at six o'clock"
Here Vera entered, slowly and grace
fully. She favored the pudding ma
terials with glance of amused con-
tempt, having never seen pudding
before it was cooked during the twenty
years of her rather useless life. She
then acknowledged Nora s introduction
of Mrs. Bennett very slightly and
haughtily, and turned at once to the
object of ner visit.
Papa thinks it very foolish of you
and Raymond not to come to dinner
tomorrow, Nora; and he mas sent me
to say he hopes you will alter your
minds"
Nora's blue eyes opened wide.
81 thought when met you last you
felt it would be more satisfactory to us
not to seek the opportunity your Christ
mas dinner would give of meeting the
unknown wealthy aunt" she remarked
!. l