Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-02

sign, Dut hoping In sesA'
married James Thomson.
She sighed as she remembered the
wears that followed. There had peen
no unkindness from the man whose
name she bore. Still there had been
narrowness about their life that had
almost stified her, and at times her
heart had cried out for congenial COM
partnership. Ten years ago James
Thomson had died. Sarah had re-
NAMED on In the old home alone, save
for hired help.
A few months ago David Merchant
had returned to that community
wealthy man. He had never married.
The home of his ancestors had passed
into his hands, and he was rebuilding
and improving the house.
The years had not greatly changed
him. He was erect. and the western
sun had bronzed his once fair face.
His head was silvered, although the
heavy mustache was of the same gold
en- brown hue that Sarah remembered
SO well.
She rose suddenly. What had start
ed her on such a train of musing? 1t
was too late for letter-writing now, the
old clock was striking ten. She hur-
riedly prepared for bed. AS she en-
tered her own room, she lifted high
the lamp and gazed long at the picture
of James Thomson, which she dutifully
k~pt hanging over her bureau. She
snuddered a little; in the keen gray
eyes there was surely a hooking
light.
II most wish hadn't decided to
give the dinner" she thought. Maybe
David won't come, anyhow"
No scruples troubled Martie, how
ever. She was up early the next
morning. and entered gayly upon the
preparations for the coming feast. The
letters were written and despatched
Martie reported the acceptance of each
of the verbal invitations.
A few days later, Mrs. Thomson was
returning to her home after calling up
on sick neighbor. The early dusk OF
the short November day was fast gath
ering around her, and she quickened
her steps. AS she turned corner she
was startled, but one glance at the
road-shouldered, compact form and
her fears fed.
did / brighten you, Sarah?' David
Merchant asked, turning and falling
into step with her. Then without
waiting for a reply, he went on hur-
riedly, at was so kind of you to ask
/ 20 hr@ of m hind anl
yours at your tArie. At hrst, Sarah
l thought l must decline"
! But Martie said you were coming,
she said wistfully, stealing look al
the strong face that the shadows Were
fast hiding.
Eyes, I'll come. You see, Sarah. II
was something like this. When / first
knew that you were married to James
! Thomson, l hated him, and l fear
have cherished bit of that old feel
ing all these years. At all events
Martie's words called up something
strangely like it. ! thought could
never eat a Thanksgiving dinner In
his house, his and yours. Then / re
membered how the years had changed
us both, and felt that was a villain
not to let bygones re bygones and be
gin again as cousins.
She made no reply, and they walked
on in silence until they reached TIT
gate of the Thomson farm. Mr.. Merch
ant opened this for his companion
saying as she passed through:
You understand, don't you, Sarah?'
ooh, yes, understand perfect!
WE'LL" she said in voice hoarse will
pain. Before he could speak again
she had passed up the walk.
David Merchant stared blankly afte
her. Not until he had heard the doc
open and shut did he turn and retrac'
his steps down the road. He drew
long breath and shook his head. :"
was an old fool" he murmured, ST
think it could make any difference
Don't know but / might just as wei
have stayed in Nevada"
Mrs. Thomson found Martie chop
ping mincemeat and singing hymns
The girl stopped both proceedings loni
enough to ask:
Wouldn't make morn dizen pies
would you?"
"Oh, don't care" was the testy re
ply. 81 almost wish l had never hear
of Thanksgiving"
Land sakes, What ails you?" an,
Martie held the chopping knife sus
pended in both hands. You air clear
tuckered out, runnin' round lookin' af
ter sick folks. You better go to be,
aorlv topipht and I'll steeD Won som
boneset."
Mrs. Thomson passed on into he
own room without another word. Sh
laid off her neat black hood and shaw
tied a bingham apron around he
waist, and smoothed her hair, all tn
time keeping her back turned to tn
: picture of her dead husband. Some
how she felt that she could not NEE
that direct gaze just then.
The preparations for Thanksgivin
went on apace. Acceptances cam
, from the Burtons and the Campbell!
Uncle Leander had not replied
but Martie declared there was no dan
ger of his missing a chance to get
good meal for nothing. AS thes
! guests must come by train, they woul
, remain all night. So Martie and he
mistress labored on, and the pantr
, shelves groaned under the weight {
delicacies.
1t was not until the Monday morn
7 ing before Thanksgiving that the frs
cloud appeared upon the sky of Mr.
Sarah. Two letters came; one froi
n. q l..