The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-12-31

"rm sort O. glad he's goin' to have a
Thanksgivin' dinner to set down to this
year. Is he a German, Noah ? or is he
irish ?"
"No; regular up-and-down Yankee"
said Simlinn "and nice-lookin' fellow,
too, if he wasn't SO pale"
Celestia Burt said nothing; but she was
glad now that she had put the little bunch
of scarlet berries and pressed leaves in the
china vase on the garnet chamber-table.
There is nothing that softens ones heart to-
ward other peoples grievances like trouble
of ones own.
Mr.. Siml;nn spread out his chilled hands
before the red glow of the fire, with the
complacent air of one who feels he has done
his whole duty.
" Be we all ready for Thanksgivin' ?" said
he, looking around the little circle.
GO Yes, all ready" said Celestia. THE
turkey is oil prepared to go into the oven
the applicants were baked to-day; and
there are two chicken pies perfect little
beauties-on the pantry-shelf; and stewed
the cranberries day before yesterday"
I" It's great comfort to have Ceiestia
here, to take all these cares off my mind,n
said Mrs. Simlinn, knitting comfortably
away.
Tea is ready" Celestia said, quietly, as
she set the glitering Britannia-wa1e teapot
on its iron stand, and took pan of flaky
hot biscuits from the oven.
4" Jest go out and holler to the man, viii
you, Celestia ?" said Mr.. Simlinp. "pW
got my slippers on, and the snow is gettin
pretty torable deep"
What shall call him ?n said Celestia,
slipping her trim feet into rubbers, and ty.
ing scarlet plaid shawl on her head
Wall, swan, you've got me there"
said Mr.. Simlinn. 81 dunno's / once
thought to ask his name. Call him John.
guess he'll answer to most any name"
Celestial laughed and went out into the
rush and glimmer of the twilight snow
storm.
Out in the barn, the friedman saw the
red shine of the household windows, and
strange sense of solitude and longing came
over his soul on that Thanksgiving Eve,
He leaned up against the manger, and put
his arm over Black Bills shaggy neck
even horse was some sort of mute COM
pany to him, just at that moment.
And might have had home like
that" he murmured, if"
s'John, John ~ a sweet, clear voice
echoed ut the barn-door.
He caught up the barn-lantern.
:" Is it the old fever still working in my
brain 2" he thought. I" l could have sworE
it WAS her voice calling me, just as she used
to call in the old days. Yes!" he shouted,
aloud" yes l'
AS he held up the lantern, its Pickering
light fell ON slender figure seeming to ad-
vance from the whirling background of
snow ct tho barn-door.
"Celcstia ~ he cried, starting wE;y
back.
Then l am not dreaming ~ she sal Z
clasping her banda. " 1t is-Iohn Sn
And she made movement ms if she would
shrink from him.
"Stop!" he said. " You are not running
away from me? You shall not evade me a
second time You are my wife, and have
at least right to demand simple justice nj
your hands"
=" You shall have it,h she answered, paus-
ing with hard, mocking laugh. "spoak
on; am listening"
Then tell me why it was that you de-
serted my home while | was absent in
Canada Z" he asked, sternly.
why was it," she retorted, bitterly,
/" that you sent your photograph and low
ing letter TO Ailsie Bryce, and mover word
to mo? Do you think that any wife would
endure slight like that Ailsie was your
first sweetheart-thore was always the lin.
gering fear in my mind that you cared for
her still-and when she showed mo your
picture-your letter of tender words"
Stopl" said John Burton, vaguely
stop! never sent her my picture
never wrote her letter. never cared for
any one but you, Celestia. gave the letter
and the picture into James Bryce's charge,
Celestia. Is it possible that he let his sister
vile them away from him For Ailsie would
have done anything to strike knife into
your heart, Celestial. Ailsie never loved you
overmuch. But surely-surely, my wife,
you might have trusted mo u"
There was no proof of John Burton's
truth except his own words-except the sad,
reproachful light of his hollow eyes-but
Celestia recognized their veraoity at once.
She uttered a cry of anguish--of remorse.
ooh, John !" she walled" oh, John,
forgive me-forgive me, if you can For,
indeed, indeed l have loved you all this
time !"
Noah" said old Mrs. Simlinn, edo &C
out to the barn and see what keeps Celestial
It's full five minutes and more since she
went out"
Don't fret, old lady," said Mr.. Simlinn,
composedly adjusting the poker and tongs
" Here she comes now with the new hired
man I"
With her own husband !" Celestia's
voice echoed, in accents of soft triumph.
Dear, dear old friends, some strange, hap
Ply fate has reunited us beneath your roof.
For am John Buttons wife !"
But" gasped Mrs. Simlinn, ~ thought
you were q widow!"
I" Did l ever say 80 ?" pleaded Celestia.
No; but"
said / had lost my husband" said
Celestia. az thought so then. I believed
had lost him by separation keener than
death. But God has restored him to me
again upon this blessed Thanksgiving Eve.
And / will never mistrust him again"
And then she told the simple story Of love
and jealousy and despair. And the good
old farmer and his wife wept and smiled
with her; and in the stormy gloom of the
Thanksgiving Eve, a deep and abiding
peace settled down upon their hearts.
The next day, Noah Simlinn and his wife
harnessed up Black Bill and drove to
church, secure that all would be cared for
during their absence. For the clouds had
all foated away in the night, and clear
winter sun sbone ploYiouslv over the world |!