The record-union., 1893-11-18

on his side, and the doctor drought from
distance by DAM gave hope of his ulti-
mate recovery.
Back at Del Monte, radiant in its garb
of flowers, clothed in verdant green of
every hue; spreading oaks, shaded walks,
silvery lake, how natural Joe sighed with
deep content, but his reverie as he walked
was disturbed by an imperative sum-
mons.
Called, for what? All, he had forgotten.
And he pressed his hands to his forehead
as if trying to recall something. He was
waiter now in the Del Monte dining
hall. The mirror of a small room he en-
tered reflected him in taultless black
dress suit, immaculate linen. All, yes, he
was on his way to the ballroom, soon he
would feel Edith's sweet breath tanning
his cheek. He gaZed again. Was it he
whose white hair and brown eyes gazed
back at him? or was it the waiter with
the ducal air p? Again the summons came,
and he found himself falling i'll file with
some fifty other walters. In few mo-
ments he was deity carrying plates, ana
then politely showing guests to their
seats: and here, too, was Edith, radiant
and lovely, but with well-bred air OF l.
never-saw- you-before in her face. NO
responsive lovelight in her eyes as they
met his.
Strangers now and forever. He clenched
his hands. a sob arose in his throat and
seemed to choke him. He had loved her
so. She need not have spoken, but she
might have looked kind, he reflected bit
terly. His white hair-perhaps that had
changed him. Days passed.; Thanksgiv-
ing was spoken OF, and big preparations
for banquet went forward. lie saw in
the kitchen stacks of turleys-stacks OF
fowls, fish and flesh of all kinds.
The day came. Again he saw Edith's
blue eyes. cold aud calm. He forgot his
place in his anguish. He stumbled and
fell, while the pile of dishes he carried
fell with an awful crash. He heard
laugh, and voice say, "Mistress OF her.
self, tho china fall" He tried to rise;
he heard the mocking voice OF his fellow
walters, and then the floor gave way and
he sank downtown into depths dark
and damp.
When he opened his eyes again he found
he was in his room in Carlos house, and
weakly turning his head to the doorway
he saw Edith Haverly. He was afraid it
was only dream, only pure delusion,
as his Del Monte experience had been.
But no; she spraDg to his bedside, and
putting her arms around his neck, she
knelt beside him, whispering, Thank
God, Joe, dear, you are better" He
glasped her hands, kissing them passion
ately, as he looked into her blue eyes
questioningly.
"We came up here fishing and shoot
ing. found you i'll, and papa and l stayed,
and. oh dear, dear old boy. we are so
glad, SO very glad. to find you better.
-Four weeks you have been, oh so sick,
but you, you will get well, won't you"
And she patted his hand lovingly. Just
then Mr.. Haverly put in an appearance.
Hi, Joe, you look kind of picked" he
laughed. Come, old fellow, brace up;
III ai, RI knr
mine outside here" And he looked
down on Joe. "Come now, Eide, you just
get out. You'll spoon joe to death. L
know your tricks and manners" Edith
blushed prettily as she looked up, but
never offered to take her hand from Joe's.
''If my mine is a success, can l have
Edith for my wife?' he asked as he
looked up.
"Got her now, amt you? What more
do you want?" said Mr.. Haverly dryly.
''Seems you've taken her without leave.
| might as we'll say, Bless you. my chill
dren.'" And he shook Joe's thin hands
heartily and kissed Edith. Then clearing
his throat he said, ell, you TWO kids
are settled and Pm out and injured, so
Pll take Carmelo for my wife; what do
you say to that eh?'
''She is true, good, lovable woman,
and owe my life to her." said Joe.
Il viii educate her for year or so be-
fore we marry, but her beauty will win
her a place, won't it?" he added en-
Enthusiastically. ''She says fellow 46 and
with my looks will do" he added laugh
ingly. ''She says, too, my hair is 'Elcopo
del oro.' orange and gold. with a dash of
sunset, like an eschscholtZia," and they
all laughed heartily.
Carmelo, hearing them, came in BEAM
ing and beautiful to welcome Joe back to
life and strength.
'And tomorrow is Thanksgiving
Day." said Mr.. Haverly, "and we will all
have much to be thankful for" and Joe.
looking at Edith, and remembering the
cape, said YES" most heartily.
And we will christen the mine
Thanksgiving Mine. That will always
remind us, won't it?" said Edith.
And Joe wondered as his eyes rested
on the landscape outside, 'if the blue sky
would ever be so blue; if the hearts of
men would ever be SO true as now they
seemed" When in his heart stirred
memories of the past and happy anticipa-
tions of future. When he had strayed
50 close TO the border land of death, life
and love seemed so distant, and now God
had been so good. Care was forgotten;
life and love had been returned surely;
surely Thanksgiving Day would be daily
instead of once a year.
For life, health, money and love were
his to be thankful for, without an order
from the President, and Joe started his
thanksgiving the day before the legal
one, and no one questioned his right to
do SO. AS he remarked: ~ m q little too
previous, but [ might have been too late.
and even heaven without Edith would
not seem just the right place to keep
Thanksgiving Day."
For the RECORD UNIoN.l