The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-28

oline Grace.
"Can't we do something's" asked
Alice Virginia.
They looked at each other doubt
fully. "If Miss Betsey's so proud,
I'm afraid t'would hurt her"-began
her mother, but Caroline Grace broke
in eagerly.
ooh we can do i'll know we can.
We don't need the chicken when we
have turkey too, and we could spare
two of those little pies and"
"And that small mold of jelly and
my flowers" added Grace Virginia.
"Yes, and we can send it In men,
DRY of old Thanksgiving days and
then she'll never suspect it in the
world, because we've only been here
two years."
Mrs. Bond was already bringing
dishes from the pantry; Caroline
Grace ran to write the card, while
Alice Virginia began picking her
flowers. When everything was
packed in big basket, they gave it
to Jefferson Jackson with many
charges not to let himself be seen.
"Guess can manage that" said
Jefferson jackson, loftily. He started
up the hill while the others stood at
the door, watching. When he was
part way up he suddenly set down
the basket and came running back.
The three looked at each other in dis
may. II do hope he hasn't upset the
| jelly" exclaimed Caroline Grace. But
Jefferson Jackson did not look guilty;
he stopped outside the gate and
shouted, his voice ringing to them
through the clear frosty air. Don't
-you-have- dinner till i get
back" Then he turned and picked
up his basket and trudged up the hill,
Jefferson jackson said no more
but he got down from the fence and
walked into the barn in lofty silence,
Annie Evangeline called him once OF
twice, but he made no reply, and
presently she went soberly into the
house. Her mother and older sisters
were busy getting supper and the
baby was fretting in his cradle; she
picked him up and quieted him.
"Where have you been, child?
said her mother.
"Only up to Miss Betsey's."
| 81 don't see what does make Annie
Evangeline want to go up there all
the time," said Caroline Grace.
Annie Evangeline looked up de-
fensively; then she changed hel
mind; she had a feeling that they
would not understand Miss Betsey
81 like it," she said simply. "I'n
going up there to have dinner with
her tomorrow. | can get back il
time for ours"
"Welll" said her sister, Mother
did you hear that7"
CLEAR what?"
"Annie Evangeline says she's go
ing to have Thanksgiving dinner
with Miss Betsey and then is comm {
back for ours! | call that real sci
fish,"
Her mother was bending ovel
something on the stove; she looked
up with flushed face. did you say
that, Annie Evangelinei"
"Yes'm, but"
"Well, you can choose one or the
other. You can't have two Thanks
giving dinners; I'm not going to have
a sick child on my hands with all
have to do"
| But Mother" cried Annie Evange
line, "you don't understand. 1t ism
really to dinner, it's"
| "Well, it's what!"
| Annie Evangeline's little rounc
face grew almost pale; she looked
pleadingly at her mother. "I-can'
tell" she said.
"Well, all of it is, if you can't tall
SO that l can understand you, yol
can just choose. Will you stay here
or go to Miss Betsey'si"
Annie Evanseline bent over tn
baby; she was afraid she was goins
to cry. 1t didn't seem as if sh
could give up the turkey and pump
kin pies-the thought of dried bee
almost made her sick, and yet-sh
had promised Miss Betsey that sh
would go. She drew hard breath
"I-promised Miss Betsey," she said
Then she put the baby down and rar
out of the room.
Alice Virginia looked after her will
a puzzled expression. There
something queer about it," she said
Il do believe the child doesn't wan
to go bit! | never saw her act *
before"
| Jefferson jackson had come in; b,