The Hazlehurst signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-27
box open and exposed to view a plump

box open and exposed to view plump
turkey.
"And raisinsy' cried Madgc. pulling
open paper-bag and filling her mou.l,
with tho contents.
And beef! And suct! And celery"
said Mar an.
1heo looked up rs IL stupeiied.
"why. it's Miner she exclaimed at
last.
"Of course It's yours! Who said IL
wasn't?" answered Madgc. helping
herself pleniifully to the raisins again.
"But it's what I bought and gave to
the man" persisted Theo.
"But YOU didn't buy oranges and
lemons and three big pineapplcs, did
you2' asked Marion, still incredulous.
"No; but bought the other things
/ know they are the same. And look.
Marian. look. Madge. here's my purse.
too. with the half-dollar still in 1t!
What can il mean?" .
No one could tell. But wonders will
never cease. Another knock sounded
ON the door. Theo opened it, her lips
and checks scarlet with excitement.
Before her stood n man in slouched
bat and scedy overcoat, muillcd up to
his chin. Theo recognized him.
"Come ip," she commanded. i'm.
periously. g"and tell us the meaning OF
this" And she pointed to the open
box. where figs and raisins lay scattered
about. oranges aud suet lay in close
proximity to pincapples and beef. and
the turkey had fallen helpless ON his
back among the rosy pearmains that
lined the bottom Of the box, where he
held up one plump drum. stick. rs If be-
sceching tho sympathy of the spectators.
The tramp walked obligingly IN. He
pulled of the seedy overcoat; he threw
down his slouched hat; and there stood
handsome. broad-shouldcrcd young
man. with gray eyes and crisp chestnut
hair.
cousin Tomr' cried Marian, rs.
founded.
"Why, Cousin Tom" echoed Madge.
But Theo stood silent, with dropping
eyes and blushing checks.
"And have You no greeting for me,
Thcog' asked Tom-whO, by-thc-way.
was only q third or fourth cousin, after
all.
Theo shook her head.
"How do / know but that YOU are an
impostcr?" she asked.
Tom laughed.
IL had no intention of deceiving you.
l thought Irccognized you on the street,
but 1t was so dark followed you into
the fruit-storc in order to be certain be-
fore venturing to speak"
"But YOU said YOU hadn't tasted
bread for two days" pou,ed Thco. re-
lenting little.
"Well, / hadn't. You see, our train
was showed up for nearly week. and
the bread all gave out; we had plenty OF
meat, and pie, and cake, though, so we
didn't miss the bread much"
"But what u seedy old coat and hat"
said Madgc. cycling the cast-of gar
ments suspiciously.
They are rather seedy. to DO sure"
said Tom. 1.-The fact il, when we
changed cars | CHANGED to be- taking n
nap. and when the conductor succeeded
in rousing me that coat AMI hat We're
the only ones left in the ear; so it was
Hobson's choice, as you see"
While Marian and Madge were Hit
ting about the room roasting the tur-
key, chopping mincemcat. seasoning
tho p!un-pudaing, and laying the table
for four. Theo and Cousin Tom stood
by the window, Whispering together
over the yellow chry santhcmums.
And you'll never, never get jealous
any morc"' asked 'rheo, with aycrtc,l
face and trll-talr cheeks.
Never" declared Tom. And he
slipped u plain gold ring on her Iingcr,
and perhaps stole sly Kiss, while the
two sisters lscrrctly bastcd the turkey
who kLoNS? Chicago tribune.