Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-11-22
tockings, and had heart as big as a

oShuy oAo L OkH udu De6Q lovers from
babyhood, as well as cousins. There
never was a positive engagement, but
there was good deal to fill maiden's
heart with happy dreams, and Jenny
knew she did not hope without reason,
when she came to hope that Tom cared
more for her than any one else.
Last Thanksgiving day Tom went
away to the city and attended to some
business which kept him away for six
months. Jenny was sorry he had to
leave IN the midst of me merry-making,
because it deprived them of a quiet hour
to themselves.
Indeed, she hardly hoped for fare
well word, but late in the evening" as
she went through the half darkened hall,
she felt herself suddenly clasped by Toms
arm, and little ring slipped over her
finger, as he said:
Wear this for my sake, Jenny, until
put wedding ring in its place. God
bless you, love Good-bye.n
And then he kissed her once and let
her go, and she flew up the stairs to hide
the tears which came in spite of her.
The ring was little large, and three
months after Tom went away, Jenny lost
1t on her way home from church. She
grieved over it, but determined to tell
Tom as soon as he came home, and not
fret over what she could not help.
But when Tom came home, poor little
Jenny's loving heart received sharp
blow. He was friendly to her, in kind,
cousinly way, and not thing more. He
never spoke one word, OF gave one look.
to make Jenny think he remembered the
parting words said, and her heart was
well-nigh broken. But she did not blame
him.
He had seen more Of the world . she
said to herself, "and found out that a
little awkward thing like me is not what
ne can love. He is quite right to show
iue HOW 1t is.
But poor Jenny could not help loving
Tom. How could she, when he was
better, more manly, and handsomer than
ever She was proud little body,
though, and carried her heavy load so
bravely that nobody suspected she carried
any at all.
As Thanksgiving day drew near again,
it seemed to poor Jenny that she could
not bear up longer. She was glad that
Grandma Davis had sent for her, for she
had learned that occupation was grand
cure for the sblues, I" SO she worked with
all her little might.
Everything was done now: there was
nothing to busy her tonight, and as
Jenny stood by the pantry window, her
heart swelled with pain.
"Oh, what have to be thankful for?n
she sighed, YEARLY. And a moment
later, added: "Ah, what wicked girl
have parents, home, friends; oh, Tom,
l have everything but you, and L care for
nothing without youl"
Her heart broke then, and dropping on
the floor beside the window, the poor
child sobbed with bitter grief.
If you had seen Jenny the next morn
ing, as she stood by grandpa, fa1r and
lovely in her soft, blue robes, with her
dark hair braided, and her scarlet mouth
smiling, you would never have known
her for the sobbing girl who knelt bv
the pantry window, she was so bright and
sweet.
Tom looked keenly at her and sighed
when he came in, and spoke just as usual.
kind and cordial, and Jenny answered
the same way.
By ten o'clock the house was full of
big Davises and little Davises. and a lot
who were not Davises, but whose mothers
were.
Tom was great favorite among the
little folks, and in continual demand, and
Jenny had her hands full to entertain
the company.
She exerted herself to be sociable, but
she could not put much heart in it. A
little while before dinner she slipped into
the deserted library for a quiet minute
and dropped into big arm chair in the
great bay window.
She had enjoyed her solitude about
two minutes, when the library door was
pushed open, and in came Tom. with
little Sallie, Uncle Nathan's four wear
old pet, leading him.
sallie marched him straight to the win.
dow where Jenny sat, and, pulling aside
the curtain, discovered her
"oh, here's Cousin Jennyp' she cried
''Now, that good, for Toms going to tell
me a story, and you can hear it too
Here, Cousin Tom, SIT down in this big
chair and I'll get on your lap. No, III
sit on Cousin Jenny's lap, because know
her the best,
- SAAo iioesO vOnhy an Unwilling pTlS-
oner by climbing into her arms. And
then she demanded the story.
''Well, shall have to think of one,'
said Tom.
"You said you knew one before we
came in, . pouted Sallie.
Eyes, but I've forgotten that one
bah, in this little timeI I wouldn't
forget that soon myself. Say, Cousin
Jenny, don't you know any new ones9"
Il don't think do, sallie," said
Jenny, smilingly.
"Then Toms got to think of one,
declared the little autocrat. II like
Tom, because he tells such funny ones.
DON'T Won like Tom 2,