Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-11-30
Ursula was beginning to coincide with
Grandfather Halls misanthropic theory
that all the world was askeW.

Il i0l-Guo HOdfOtu SCOIo VI SllV0T Ill CQ0
stocking leg, which she had parted with to
help the friendless old maid to open lit
tie millinery in the city.
''I'm afraid it . money thrown away"
thought Grandmother Hall. II did s'pose
Abby would at least have written word
about it. But there what is the use of
crying about spilled milk I? dare say
Abby feels as pad about it as I do, poor
solitary creetur Anyway, Ursula" she
| said, breaking the oppressive silence,
there's one thing we have to be thankful
for-the pumpkins ripened splendidIy in
the corn-stubble. and I guess you'd better
I slice up one tonight for the pies; and
father must cut the hen turkeys head off
bright and early. 1t may be our last
Thanksgiving in the old place, and We'll
keep 1t as it ought to be kept. Come. the
tea is drawn-we'll all feel better for
good, hot cup"
"'Tain't no use," said old Mr.. Hall,
shaking his head. IN othing amt no
use."
! Ursula, too, was discouraged, Grand
|
she spoke no word.
They had scarcely seated themselves at
the little round cherry-table, when knock
came at the door.
Its the sheriff to serve the mortgage
paper" said old Mr.. Hall, whose ideas of
the law were rather vague.
ats Lewis Crawford after the eggs"
said Mrs. Hall, more hopefully.
But it was neither one nor the other. It
was little old woman in black silk hat,
a respectable cloth cloak and a brown
stuff dress-Miss Abby Miller herself.
GOOD evening, Cousin Hall ~ said she.
eve come to spend Thanksgiving with
you."
"And you're kindly welcome" chirped
the old lady. "Ursuly, set a chair for
Abby, and take her things.''
"But frst," said Miss Abby, 81 must
pay my debts. Here's the twenty-five dol
lars borrowed of you. with ten dollars
for interest; and I know. Cousin Hall,
you III be pleased to know that I've pros
pered and made MONEY in the millinery
business, that never could have got into
if it hadn't been for good nature and gen.
erosity. And here,' producing willow
basket nearly as large as herself, sis the
finest turkey in Fulton Market, and three
quarts of cranberries. and dozen of
oranges, and pot of guava jelly; my con-
trlhution to to-morrow's housekeeping.
And if it was forty times as much, it
wouldn't be half what 1 owe you, Cousin
HALL"
And Miss Abby Miller, failing in an at
ftempt to laugh, began to cry, and ended
up by hugging old Mrs. Hall with all her
might.
Tea was hardly over before new visitor
arrived on the scene-Doctor Purdy, the
chairman of the local board of trustees.
whats this about Squire Deans
daughter ousting you from your place,
| Miss Hall 2" he asked.
II have been told" began Ursula.
'No m after what you have been told"
said the doctor. tive seen Mr.. McAllis-
ter. and he and both agreed that you are
not to be disturbed. You suit US exactly,
and we intend that you shall retain the
position, If there were dozen Miss Deans
to be provided for. You'll remain. eh ?"
"Gladly, if you wish it," said Ursula,
visibly Frightening up.
'And if Dean don't like it. he can lump
it" added Doctor Purdy. independently.
He had not been gone half an hour when
the knocker-the never had arrived at
the dignity of a door-bell at Grandfather
Hall's-sounded again.
"Why." cried the old lady, who sat
where she could see the door. ''it's-it's
Stephen Gregson!''
''Of course it's Stephen Gregson,' said
deep. masculine voice. land he g travel
led night and day to be in time to spend
his Thanksgiving day with the best
| friends be has in the world. And should
have been here earlier.' cordially wiring
ing the hands OF all the group as he
spoke, ''if hadn't stopped at Squire
Deans to clap stopper on that con-
founded mortgage business he's so sharp
after"
"Aint the place to be foreclosed, then?"
said Grandfather Hall, in half-compre-
hendIng manner.
sForeclosed - shouted Stephen Greg
son. mot if know it. And the thing
never would have been thought of if the
lawyers wrote to in New Y ork hadn't been
scamps and cleared out with the money I
sent 'em six months ago to pay up the
mortgage. However, here I am in time
at last, with the amount of the debt
owe you, safely lodged in the Wickham
Bank, and enough besides to settle up all
costs and charges. Why, how we'll you all
look And Miss Abby Miller has actual
ly grown young. and Ursula's cheeks are
as pink as crape-myrtle. Yes, yes, Ursula,
our old dreams have come true I've made
my fortune, and We come back to marry
you.''
All, inconsiderate lover that he was
thus to blurt out his courtship before the
old people and Miss Miller.
But it never was Stephen Gregson's
way to be secretive; and they all seemed
to be as much interested about it as Ur-
sula herself. But they had the discretion
not to look toward that particular part of
the kitchen where the big fish.geranium
grew in a painted tub, when Stephen and
Ursula had gone there to look at the new
scarlet buds, just opening out,
''It seems like dream ~ said Ursula,
ecstatically, 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
own; you back here, faithful and I'M
changed, and our wedding to be in Feb