Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-11-20
RICH--BUT HOMELESS.
A THANKSGIVING DAY STORY.

1t was Thanksgiving eve. A carriage
was rolling rapidly along Fifth avenue,
its occupants, lady and gentleman,
were just returning from the opera. The
lady was young, beautiful and gorgeous
ly apparreled. She nestled herself in
corner of the carriage and sighed wea.
rily. Her escort, tall, fne-looling
man, gazed at her silent moment and
then exclaimed;
Gillian, it is rare sight, and to me
sad one to see your bright face shad-
owed. What is the matter? In the
midst of that brilliant throng tonight,
with the enchantment of that lovely
music, saw you often suppress aIsigh,
and your laugh had not its usual merry
ring. Tell me, Lillian, is there secret
/ cannot share2' The tone was tender
and caressing, and, withal, genuinely
sincere. "rhank you, Ralph; l truly
owe you an apology for allowing my
mood to be so apparent. ltNas selfish to
int1ict myself upon you tonight, but l
hoped your society and the music might
dispel the cloud aud overcome this mel
ancholy. Oh, Ralph; positively hate
the thought of anniversaries, Thanks
giving and all holidays. All, yes; you
laugh you recall my wealth, my host of
friends. You say women are strange
compounds, that you have no home and
are rather poor; but yet you manage to
enjoy life without so much sentiment.
Well, all can say is, women are differ
emily constituted from men and need diff
ferent food to properly nourish them
that is, their hearts. Then, too. you are
wit; you are always wanted; every
home is thrown open to you most cor
daily, while | am simply nobody"
"You are rich widow"
eyes; a rich widow, but homeless,
childless. On my table there are many
kind invitations to spend tomorrow
among friends, who doubtless felt |
would be lonely at the hotel, but | feel
would be an outsider. l have no right
full place IN their midst and have none
of my very own"
''Poor girl did not dream you were
indulging in such sad broodings or
would have made no engagement for to-
morrow and devoted the day to the
pleasing effort of bringing back those
smiles. have promised to dine with
judge D. at three o'clock may come to
you at sevenl"
Eyes, indeed; am sure l shall hail
yourpresence with a smile of 'Thanksgiv-
ing at least" So they parted.
AS Lillian entered her beautifully ap-
pointed room at the hotel her faithful
colored Delsey, the maid of her girlhood
days, came forward to assist in disrob-
ing her, and scrutinized the loved face
as if she, too saw the shadow of discon.
tent. Tenderly kissing her hand, as
was her custom before leaving for the
night, there seemed to poor Lillian al
most mockery in her, "Wish you happy
Thanksgivin', missey."
The sun rose clear and beautiful on
Thanksgiving day. Lillian arose at the
summons of Delsey, and the sight of the
beautiful flowers handed her, with
Ralph's card attached, recalled the day
and the conversation of the night be-
fore.
81 won't be so foolish" she said to
herself. 'Other people with less oppor.
| tunities than make themselves happy,
and why should not Ii" But the old
gnawing pain was at her heart STILL and
she entered the breakfast room in any
thing but her usual happy mood.
There was no depression of spirits in
the guests surrounding her at the table
they were all going among their kindred
or friends to celebrate this annual love
feast, aud every remark seemed to hei
rebelhous heart as wiful stab. AS The
waiter brought her the morning mai
her face frightened, and she hastened