Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-11-29
She had pondered MANY and many

4
word about it. But therel what is the
use of crying about spilled milk?
dare say Abby feels as bad about it as
/ do, poor, solitary creeterl Anyway,
Ursuly," she said, breaking the oppres-
sive silence, there's one thing we bave
to be thankful for-the pumpkins ripen-
ed splendidly in the corn-stubble, and
guess you'd better slice up one for the
pies; and father must cut the hen-tur-
KEYS head off bright and early. 1t may
be our last Thanksgiving in the old
place, and we'll keep it as it ought to
be kept. Come, the tea is drawn-we1l
all feel better for good, hot cnp.
"'Taint no use," said old Mr.. Hall,
shaking his head. Nothing amt no
use"
Ursula, too, was discouraged. Grand
mother Hall saw it in her face, even
though she spoke no word.
They had SCARCELY seated themselves
at the little round cherry table, when Il
knock came to the door.
"1ts the sheriff to serve the mortgage
paper" said old Mr.. Hall, whose ideas
of the law were rather vague.
Its Lewis Crawford after the eggs,
said Mrs. Hall, more hopefully.
But it was neither one nor the other.
1t was little old woman in black silk
hat, respectable cloth cloak and a
brown stuff dress-Miss Abby Miller
herself.
Good evening, Cousin Hall" said she.
i've come to spend Thanksgiving with
vou."
And you're kindly welcome" chirped
the old lady. Ursuly, set chair for
Abby, and take her things"
"But first" said Miss Abby, 81 must
pay my debts. Here's the twenty-five
dollars l borrowed of you, with ten dol
lars for interest; and l know, Cousin
Hall, you'll be pleased to know that I've
prospered and made money in the mill
Dery business, that l never could have
got into if it hadn't been for your good
nature and generosity. And here, pro
ducing a willow basket nearly as large
as heaself, "is the finest turkey IN Full
ton Market, and three quarts of cranber-
berries, and 4 dozen of oranges, and
pot of guava jelly; my contribution to
to-morrow's housekeeping. And II 1t
was forty times as much, it wouldn't be
half what | owe you, Cousin Hall.
And Miss Abby Miller, failing IN an
attempt to langh, began to cry, and end
ed up by hugging old Mrs. Hall with all
her might.
Tea was hardly over before new Wis
itor arrived on the scene Doctor Pur-
dy. the chairman of the local board #
trustees.
What's this about Squire Deans
daughter ousting you from your place,
Miss Hall?" he asked.
Il have been Told" began Urssla-
No matter what you have been told,
said the doctor. "Fve seen Mr.. Meal
lister, and he and L both agreed that you
are not to be disturbed. You suit US
exactly, and we intend that you snail
retain the position, if there were dozen
Miss,Deans to be provided for. You'll
remain, eh 7"
GLADLY, if you wish it" said Ursula,
visibly Frightening up.
And if Dean don't like it, he can
lump it," added DR.. Purdy, independ-
emily.
He had not been gone half an hour
when the knocker-they never had ar
rived at the dignity of a door-bell at
Halls-sounded again.
"Why," cried the old lady, VINO sat
where she could see the door, 'itS-lts
Stephen Gregson!
"Of course it's stephen Gregson," said
a deep, masculine voice. And he's
travelled night and day to be in time to
spend his Thanksgiving day with the
best friends he has in the world. And
should have been here earlier" cordially
ringing the hands of all the group as be
spoke, "if hadn't stopped at Squire
Deans to clap a stopper on that mort
gage business he's so sharp after"
"Ain't the place to ne foreelosed,
then ?" said Grandfather Hall, In half
manner.
"Foreclosed!" shouted Stephen Greg
son. Net if | know it. And the thing |
never would have been thought of If the
LAWYERS | wrote to in New York hadn't
been scamps and cleared out with the
money | sent 'em six months ago to pay |
up the mortgage. However, here am
in time at last, with the amount OF the
debt L owe you, safely lodged In the
Wickham Bank, and enough besides to
settle up all costs and charges. why,
how well you all lookl And Miss Abby
Miller has actually grown young, and
Ursula's cheeks are as pink as Grape
myrtle. Yes, yes, Ursula, our old dreams
have come true. I've made my fortune,
and I've come back to marry you."
An, inconsiderate lover that he was
.hus to blurt out bis courtship before
,he old people and Miss Miller.
But it never was Stephen Gregson's
way to be secretive; and they all SEEM
I'd to be as much interested about 1t as
Ursula herself. But they had the dis
cretion to look toward that particular
part of the kitchen where the big fish
,eranium grew in painted tub, when
Stephen and Ursula had gone there to
ook at the new scarlet buds, just open
ng out.
at seems like dreaml" said Ursula,
as she and Stephen together
stood at the window, watching the moon
wade through the masses of struggling
cloud. Grandfather and grandmother
provided for; the dear old home all our
home; you back here, faithful and un-
and onr wedding to be In Feb
-uary. Oh, how can ever be thankful
,nough?"
While Grandfather Hall was saying
he same thing by the tireSde.
"We snail keep Thanksgiving to-mor
'ow, with good reason, eli, mother, he
uttered.
And old Mrs. Hall answered, fervent-
y:
81 shall keep Thanksgiving all my
ifep
WE are now prepared to announce to
he public thatwe have received large