St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-26

deacon's lips, when he caught the ten
eyes of his sons fixed wOnderlnglY Oh
him, aud the words never found utter
ance. The deacon looked into the oven
instead, and cOughed sOnOrOusly.
You won't 90 to church, Ruth?'
"Oh, L can't, Sir-Mr. Carey, mean.
The turkey must be looked after, and it
won't do to risk burning the pies"
well, boys" said the deacon, ''come
along"
Can't l stay and help Ruth?" ques-
toned Lewis, young giant of nine
teen.
mo. you can't" said the deacon
brusquely. Pretty way o. spendin' the
governors proclamation Thanksgivin',
to be round under Miss Ruth's feet.
You'll 20 TO church, every skin on ye.
or my name amt Obed Carey. No son
o. mine stays home from church on such
day as this. Where's JOe?"
He was out a-fOdderin' the creeters,"
sullenly answered John. the second
son.
''Josephl Joer' bawled the. deacon;
but there was no answer.
Il guess he's gone to church." OBJ
served lard, who Was giving his cow
hide boots a last tender application of
candle-end in front OF the fire.
He needn't ha' been in such a
hurry" grumblingly commented the
deacon; ''but he al'ays had a way of his
own Of doing things. Ruth. my dear,
don't stand so near the fire-you're
burnin' your face the color Of a
cabbage-roSe."
Ruth murmured some scarcely articu-
late answer as the deacon tapped her
cheek with clumsy eSpieglerie and bent
more closely than ever over her work.
where's my WOODEN comforter" next
demanded the deacon. Hosea, go back
In the big corner cubburd fort"
Hosea left off tOrmenting the cat to
obey, but he presently lifted up his
voice aloud:
Doors locked, father"
mo. faint locked nuther." sharply
responded paterfamiliaS. But he went
to inspect the ''cubburd" for himself,
nevertheless.
well, if ever!" cried the deacon.
which o. you young miSchiefs has got
the key?''
There was shout of unanimous de-
NAL. The deacon looked round with
lowering brows.
If that ERE keys lost Amt them
the church bells?''
And. pOstponing the judicial investi-
the day should be over, the deacon
caught up stray muller, twisted it
round his parchment-like throat and
sped upon his way, with his five sons
following III long array.
And Ruth Skinner was left alone
with the cracking wood FIRE and the
ticking clock, and the soft clicking OF
the snowfiakes against the window
panes and the pialntive strains of a
hymn tune she was murmuring under
her breath as she arranged the cram
berry tarts on the dresser shelf and
filled up the oven to its very mouth
with paste shells full Of golden, trem-
bling custard.
Only for a moment though. There
was an OminOus grating rs of the wards
of rusty key in the corner cupboard
door. and a smothered laugh. and the
next instant Joseph Carey, tall. hand
some young fellow OF three or four and
twenty, burst out, like q magniied
"Jack-in-the-bOx."
.'Joer' cried Ruth, turning scarlet.
"DOn'tr'
Don't, You mean do" said Joe, IN
tremendously taking Ruth round the
waist and lifting her fairly off her feet
''Why, / thought l should have stified
among the old hats anu boots"
But, Joe. It's so wrOng.'
1T would have been a deal wrOnger,
little Miss Morality. to sit pretending to
listen to Elder LOngsentence when nv
heart was in the Old kitchen at home
with you. Now, see here, Ruth. Pm
not going to stand this any longer. Give
me the big iron spoon"
Joe tied 4 towel deity round his slim.
well-mOuided waist and commenced
stirring vigorously at the saucepan he
took from Ruth's hands.
Isn't that right?'
Yes" said Ruth, obviously, "'but
you mustn't spatter So"
Mr.. Carey accordingly relaxed some
what OF his OveT-ZealOus earnestness,
and looked at Ruth over the top of the
table.
Come, Ruth, you promised to give
me an answer today
Miss Skinner shook out the folds of
snowy mass OF table drapery, and eyed
it Jhoughtfully.
us this the best table cloth?"
Yes mol haven't an idea. Hang
the table cloth? Pm not talking about
table-clOths. Is IL to be yes or no,
Ruth?'
"Oh. Joe, we are both so young"
Nonsense"
Il suppose these napkins are the right
ones"
DO you suppose l stood a mortal
hOurin that cupboard with my nose up
against the buffalo robes to decide the
question of napkins with you? l will
be answered.
''Well-but-whats shall l say?'
Il should say yes if l We're in your
place"
But. Joe'-
Look here, Ruth" and Joe over
turned the saucepan in his enthusiasm.
Here's what it is. Would you rather
be my wife or my stepmother?"
Joel"
AS If you hadn't suspected it all
along, you little, demure kitten. Come,
don't keep me in suSpense.'
he put both his hands, with a sort of
imperative tenderness. on her two
wrists. looking with his full, brilliant
hazel eyes into her shrinking, ro5e-red
smiling face.
Let me go. Joe, quickl The turkey
is scOrching-I smell it,"
Not one STEP" was the firm reply.
But it is BURNING" cried Ruth, pit
eously. ''Oh, Joe. please"
Not until you have decided my deS-
tiny. Yes or no."
Yes, then, you provoking fellowp'
And Ruth. highly resenting the kiss
of passion which Mr.. Joe stopped to
possess himself of, ran to the oven.
Its burnedl knew it would be!'
she bTeathed.
Not a bit of it." said Joe. critically
surveying the royal bird over her Shout
der. Its just beautifully Drowned"
NO thanks TO your said Ruth. petu-
lantiy Struggling her shoulders as she
reelOsed the oven, after basting and
turning its contents in most scientific
manner. Now. help me set out the
table, for Pm getting dreadfully behind
hand; and what will your father say
when he comes home from church and
finds dinner not ready?"
1t shall be ready!" said Joe, SOL
EMMY. Il tell you. Ruth, yOn don't
know half the resourcrs of nv ctar-