St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-12-29

nut sideboard beamed good-naturediy
in the slant rays of the morning sun; |
pot of bright yellow CHI rsanthemums
stood in one of tie Authenticated win
dows, fragrant and full of bloom, and
q handsome tortoise-shell cat took her
morning nap on braided rug before
the fire.
The three housekeepers washed up
tneir breakfast-service, and swept the
room and busted, and put to rights with
a zeal worthy at least of more extend
ed sphere of action.
Suddenly heavy, Numbering step was
heard on the stairs, and sounding rap
on the door caused a momentary panic
in the little room.
Marian, rallying first, opened the
door.
"a box, mum, for Miss Theo Clyde
expenses paid, num-"
The girls looked at each other in as
tonishment.
There's no direction on the box
said Marian, examining it carefully
s.It's a m;stake-it's not for us, said
Theo.
..Let's open it, cried Madge. cit
can't hurt us, anyway, and she pro-
| duced a Ratchet.
They pounded and pried at the lid,
bruised their fingers, and finally got the
box open and exposed to view a plump
turkey.
e. "And raisins!'' cried Madge, pulling
open paper-bag and filling her mouth
| with the contents.
s.. And beef And suet! And celery!"
/ said Marian.
1heo looked up as if stupefed.
s.Why, it's minen' She exclaimed at
last.
.sOf course it's yours! Who said it
wasn't?" answered Madge, helping
herself plentifully 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 pineapples. did
you?'' asked Marion, still incredulous.
s.No; but / bought the other things
I know they are the same. And look,
Marian, look, Madge, here's my purse,
too, with the half-dollar still in it!
What can it mean?"
No one could tell. But wonders will
never cease. Another knock sounded
on the door. Theo opened it, her lips
and cheeks scarlet with excitement.
Before her stood man in q slouched
hat and seedy overcoat, mutfied up to
his chin. Theo recognized him.
s.Come in, she commanded, i'm,
periously, ssand tell us the meaning o.
Ills And she pointed to the oper
box, where figs and ralsins lay scattered
about, oranges and suet lay in close
proximity to pineapples and beef, ano
the turkey had fallen helpless on his
back among the rosy pearmains thai
! lined the bottom of the box, where he
held up one plump drum stick, as il be
seeching the sympathy OF the spectators
The tramp walked obligingly IN. III
! pulled off the seedy overcoat; he threw
. down his slouched hat; and there stooe
: a handsome, broad-shouldered young
D man, with gray eyes and crisp chestnu
3 hair.
"Cousin TOMB cried Marian, as
= founded.
+ "Why, Cousin Tom!' echoed Madge
But Theo stood silent, with droopin.
: eyes and blushing cheeks.
j. ssAnd have you no greeting for me
i Theop'' asked Tom-who, by-the-way
# was only a third or fourth cousin, ate
: all.
VI Theo shook her head.
i ..How do / know but that you are
imposter?' she asked.
u Tom laughed.
q 81 hadano intention of deceiving yor
I thought recognized you on the street
; but it was so dark followed you int
4 the fruit-store in order to be certain bt
fore venturing to speak.
e But you said you hadn't taste
u bread for two days. poured Theo, r.
u lenting,a little.
. swell, I hadn't. You see, our trai
y was showed up for nearly a week, an
= the bread all gave out; we had plenty {
= meat, and pie, and cake. though, SO W
! didn't miss the bread much. :
- But what seedy old coat and hat!
! 2 said Madge, cycling the cast-off ga
? ments suspiciously.
. ..They are rather seedy, to be sure,
= said Tom. ssThe fact is, when "
), changed cars I CHANGED to be taking
nap, and when the conductor succeede
20 in rousing me that coat and hat wei
), the only ones left in the car; SO it W;
i Hobson's choice, as you see.
While Marian and Madge were fiji
d. tine about the room roasting the tn
KEY, chopring mincemeat, seasonir
L. the plum pudding, and laying the tab
"a for four, Theo and Cousin Tom stoe
E. by the window, whispering togeth
:. over the yellow chrysanthemun1s.
10 @And you'll never, never get jealo7
- any more!'' asked Iheo, with avertt
ct face and tell-tale checks.
Y. . Never declared Tom. And
ou slipped plain gold ring on her hinge
y? and perhaps stole sly kiss, while Il
two sisters discreetly basted the turk