The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-18
TWO THANKSGIVINGS

I'VE must be early at church today,
Aunt Charlotte" said Dorothy. 81 have
promised to play the organ, and would
not be late for anything
What beautiful Thanksgiving day
it ISL she continued, when she had left
the table and put back the curtain from
the window. How fine the sleighing
will bel''
AS she spoke, jingling Of bells was
heard without, and sleigh glided rap
idly across the white lawn.
"It is Bert Darricote, auntio." said
Dorothy, looking out at the handsome
young man. who sprang out of the sleigh
at the steps.
81 have come to take You to church,
Dorothy" called out Bert TO her as she
threw up the sash, letting in the crisp
air, which blew her fair curls in sweet
confusion about her fair, pretty face.
81 know you would not for worlds
miss the opportunity to exhibit your
9kiil at manipulating the worries today"
the young man continued, as he came
and stood under the window and looked
up into the bright face above him.
Il am so very glad you came Bert '
said Aunt Charlotte coming up behind
Dorothy. This child has been hurry
ing me all morning, and housekeeper
must needs look well TO the ways of her
household, particularly when her pastor
and his wife are TO take dinner with
her."
Just wait moment, Bert" said Dor
othy, land shall be ready. Do NOT
keep auntie standing here talking to you,
though. She Is all impatience to explore
the mysteries of cellar and closet to sec
# perchance she can discover some del
cacy to tickle the palate of Brother
Mallory today"
She looked very beautiful to the youne.
man when she came down to him.
Isn't the road fine. and isn't the air
crisp, and doesn't Selim travel well to-
day, Bert?' asked Dorothy loquaciously
when they were seated in the sleigh and
were skimming over the smooth, hard
packed snow.
what makes you so quiet, Bert?" che
Isked, astonished at the happy fellows
unwonted silence.
Perhaps it is because have so much
to tell you, and hardly know where to
begin" answered Bert solemnly.
do you know, Dorothy, lam twenty
me years old tomorrow
"Twenty-one? Yes, you are, and am
lghteen. And yet-how short time it
seems since we were little children;
nnce we used to go coasting down Dob
on's hill. Do you remember the time,
'ert, when Tom Arnold asked me to try
ne trip down on his sled and the thing
anne all to pieces and l went tumbling
iown and sprained my ankle? Oh, how
arious you did get! Don't you know?
ou pummeled Toms big head till YOU
INT your gloves and your knuckles, too.
believe, for they looked very red when
n were dragging me home"
do you remember all that?" said
3rt Il thought you must have for
tten it from the way you were smiling
Arnold the other night at choir prac-
&C."
Why, Bert, how could he help the
eds coming to piecesY asked Dorothy
tughingly. II see you are as unreason-
lie as ever"
Wen, its mans business to take
30 OF woman, even in little things,
when a fellows even indirectly the
use Of girls coming to grief in any
~ think he deserves to be Lenol-
tlcd,' said Bert unreasonably. but
li5 i5 not what wanted to say, Doro-
y As | told you, | am tNenty-one
NV, and father has given me the junior
artnership in the bank, and-and-you
know how love you-how I have al.
rays loved you, dear, and / want you to
'e my wife,"
The young fellow wound up abruptly
astly, looking lovingly into the sweet
lace beside him.
The sleigh sped smoothly on, the
horses' feet resounding upon the bridge
hey were just crossing.
Won't you speak to me, DorothyY
Cert said, almost pleadingly. "You
must know that love you, and now ]
am able to take care Of you, dear, if you
will only trust yourself to me, no harm
ahall'-
Bump! The runners of the sleigh
struck a board at the end Of the bridge
there was a cracking, creaking, the
Horse bounded forward and Bert and