The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-12-20
60 10 New York for sh. holidays. :. they

!. Nssss ~ s1if. w u8.ppuiut ypus
W Katie. but absolutely could mot slighs
y Aunt Jane; she 10 ~ ssnsisiss as anyone,
y snd the reason would suggest itsslf st
" once.
Mrs. Carter vas silent for moment.
y tben she said moodily:
I'D gise anything II only hadn', said
' word TO the Van Kitrans about coming.
y but unfortunately hare"
= VERY well. said James firmly. 'lhcn
: lot them ccme. and il they are true heart.
= cd psopls-snd I'm inclined to bslievs In
: Van Kitran and Winchester too--they will
/" not lock down on plain Christian woman
: because her grammar il detective or her
: dress Questionable
I. And Kate Carter knew tho matter vas
decided. Her husband was not always
the one TO have his way. but once convinced
! he WAS right. be vks TOO lo,si to>Au.s
James teachings TO swsrvs from fixed
, resolve. aud in her heart his wife respected
him for IT,
swell, Kate" said Mrs. Walton ~ she
entered her sisters library the next day,
. wrapped in vslvets and furs, 'is the
Thanksgiving party oil arranged to your
satisfaction But dear me. how glum you
, look to be sursp'
Il must invite Aunt Jane" said Mrs.
Carter
Never mind" said Mrs. Walton cheer
4 lily; tell the Van Kitrans all about her.
then make the best of it"
Aud Mrs. Carter did say TO Mrs. Van
kitran that maiden aunt who had been
very kind to her husband and his sister in
years past, would probably spend Thanks
giving week with them. I'VE always
have to invite her. she added apologeti. I
cally, "bseause she expects it. but she is {
entirely unlike any Of tho rest OF the fam. !
ily." q
Mrs. Van Kitrsn smiled, but made no t
reply, and Mrs. Carter. noticed the fact
uneasily. 4
Mrs. Carter wrote the customary cor 7
dial invitation, but Aunt Jane replied in
disappointed strsin, stating that a young
man whom she was nursing, was in so ciit-
ical condition she could not think Of b
leaving him at present. c
Kate deported herself with becoming u
gravity when James read the reply; but =
it cannot be denied she went with light
er heart about her rich mince pies, tarts, !,
plum puddings, jellies, and comfits dur u
ing the few days following. fe
Dinner - on the Thanksgiving board, n
at least that portion OF it which was to o.
serve as first course, and pretty COM
pany 1t was assembled in the nicely ap- "
pointed dining room Of James Carter's 10
house.
At Mrs. Carter's right sat Gen. Van ~
Kitran, . fine, soldierly looking man, "
while on hsr left sat Mr. Frank Winchss- -
ter, tall and slight, with a bright. laugh. 70
ing eye and dark. curling mustache. W
On the right of Mr.. Carter sat Mrs. Van
Kitran. and beside her. next Mr. Win N
chester. was fair. dimped checked Jennie
Carter. Mr. and Mr.. Walton oconpied AZ
father neutral places opposite.
Soup and conversation were being mer. ~
rily dispensed when the door bell rang, vo
and 10 moment the servant opened the 'n y.
dining room door and admitted Aunt u
Jane.
She stopped abashsd At seeing strangers
but to James Carter's hearty "Why aun- M
tic dear, how glad I am to sea you." she 70
replied in her own soft, sweet voice. u,'
"Well, James. my boy. never was more ~ =.
pleased At nothing in al my life than be u. ..
- Ana;r, vso,, hav. ..,ar :, -. r...nn Off
hcur;' bnt the good Lord let mo cone, ou
that's oil / Can say"
Directly on Miss James appearance Jen. 81
nie had said jubliantly TO Mr.. Winchester, We
do excuse my leaving the table mo- ran
mont, but must kiss my auntie m'
Auut Jane greeted Jennie with long 'ne
owing embrace, declaring her ''Auntiss spe
little darling. SO you be, then she went io'
lp to Kate, who had arisen in her place. 'i'e
md greeted her also with becoming mo-
Warmth 81
u., ,l,inos x.,a civ.n N. .a.v.n, vol,
'lace was made for her at the table by y
ames' side. then sho was duly introduced Oar
0 the company. na.'
"Was your patient bst.er?' iunocsntly ~
inquired James aim
"Oh. dearf" thought Kate, Tho must 90
nd advertise the fact Of her being nurse uo''
rst thing"
Yes. . little better; still l couldn't o'n'
cana M ~. ;f.co,ls, n,r.s h.a.. may
iovidentially appeared 10 Packettstown 'f's
vt night. W n'o.
1t was noticeable that although Aunt ~.
aus's speech was faulty, and tho neat !.
best dress" very plain, YET her whole !
'anner and appearance was thst Of tho Il
ssl lady especially the low. mellow q.
oice dear voice. so used to soothing the
iiferer, 50 accustomed TO uttering en- .a
cheering words 10 others. no \,
'atter how sad the kind heart OF the W.
peaker ~
A dinner progressed and conversation .an.
ecams general, Mrs. Carter noticed the W.
'equency with which Gen. Van Kitrsn 4,
ad Mr. Winchester addressed their rs- !, I,
,arks to Aunt Jane. She wondered what u.
,eir motive could bs. whether il Vas 10
'Ake her feel comfortable, or because IN.
,sy enjoyed Aunt James quaint express 4. ,
ons- They we're too thoroughly gentle ~. !,
zen 10 think for moment Of ridiculing ~
10 poor old lady. but that she could prove ..;v.
ally interesting TO such accomplished ~.
sntIemen seemed alnost equally improb-
be. ~
The dirnsr vas al that even fastidious mac