Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-11-28

war between civilized nations.
the least desire to seek you out so go
straight home at once The other held
her irresolute.
Il might wait to speak to DR.. Sib-
lev" she thought. No one could think
strange of that" and she turned aside
in the vestibule. and stood timidly by
the gallery stairs until the minister came
out. He caught sight of her at once,
and went over to her with outstretched
hand and cordial greeting.
He spoke of Thanksgiving day as near
at hand and added hesitatingly:
by the way, | took the liberty to-
day of reminding Mrs. Everell that you
were living quite alone, and probably
would not take the trouble of preparing
Thanksgiving dinner for Just YOURSELF
and she offered to see to it that you kept
the day properly. SO, probably you will
receive an invitation to dine with the
Everells. All. There is Mrs. Everell
now. OF course, you ladies are well ac-
uuainted," he affirmed and fastening to
intercept a gentleman who was passing
out. he left the two women together.
Mrs. Eyerell was very gracious. She
expressed pleasure in making Miss Am
bler's acquaintance, and asked in regard
to her health with a show of interest.
You live in the Melton block. [ be-
when Miss Amber answered that she
did. and politely invited her to call, she
replied, THANK YOU. and added, Il real
l. do not go anywhere, and you must not
wait for me. l would be pleased to see
you any time
Miss Amber thought this was putting
them on a very neighborly footing. in
deed, and her heart. rejecting in her
face, glowed with gratitude and pleasant
anticipation She ventured. on the
strength of it, to hint at what Mr.. Sib-
ley had told her in regard to Thanksgiy-
ing day, and the lady smiled and muir
INJURED, Only too happy, l am sure"
Col. Everell must have walked home
for his wife was the only occupant Of
their carriage as it rolled away. The
pavement was in Wretched condition that
day. The SCOT bla ckened snow was melt
ing into a disagreeable slush that gave
way to puddles of ice water at every
old rubbers, but she plowed along re-
CARELESS of discomfort and the exposure,
her head in the clouds.
ITO think that [ am to take Thanks
giving dinner at the Everells," she solilo-
0uized. '.And here [ have been dreading
the day so, and feeling as if | never could
live through it all alone and with moth
ing to take my mind off of poor. dear
Bessie, and whatever was going to be-
come Of me-"
Miss Amber lived in the third story
of an apartment block. 1t was OF
corner, and her two back rooms over
looked the Everell house, which was the
finest one on the side street next to the
block. A wide strip of lawn and car
rage drive separated the buildings.
Usually, the two long stairways she
was compelled to climb were very tedl-
Gus to Miss Amber. But today, she was
UP to the top Of the last one without any
effort, and getting her key from its hid
ing in the coal closet, she unlocked her
door, and without taking off her wrap
CT looking to see how the fire had kept.
walked straight to the window and
looked down at the Everell house. fancy
ing how it would seem to be inside of it
for the first time.
'She didn't invite me out and out in
so many words. Probably she will send
me written invitation. City ways are
50 curious. Maybe she thought she
must be formal, or [ would take Of
! Tense and not come
And the absurdity Of her refusing the
invitation, however given, amused her
immensely, and she sat down in little
easy chair and rocked, and smiled. and
dreamed, forgetting that she ought to
put over the teakettle, and letting the
fire go entirely out.
Miss Amber sublet from family who
rented an entire suite of rooms. They
were much like the other tenants Of the
third floor, and quite unlike the country
maiden lady in their ways, and habits of
thought.
Il haven't a neighbor that is my kind
of folks" she once confded to DR.. Sib-
ley. They were all respectable people,
but not by the standard of Sabbath
keeping responsibility to which she had
been accustomed. On their part they
were more curious than friendly, hap
pening IN upon her at inconvenient mo-
ments and seeking to borrow of her for
the sole purpose, sometimes, of conyinc-
ing each other Of her poverty. She was
obliged to be reserved in her manner
toward them as a defense. The observ
ant eyes of these women had noted the
social neglect of her church, which had
wounded and troubled her own spirit,
the fact, thereby overlooking Miss Am
bler's cup of humiliation, and causing her
TO hide away from them and keep her
door locked continuously. The same per-
son. more to show her own Importance
and for the pleasure of patronizing the
lone lady, came to her room that Sun
day afternoon, and after the statement
that she expected some married children
to eat Thanksgiving dinner with her,
added:
81 suppose you'll be home. as usual,
IN III set on another plate for you"
Thank YOU. kindly, for the invita-
ton, was the stately reply, but" and
she tried to say this very quietly, Il
shall be spending the day at Col. Ever
ellis"
Miss Amber closed the door after her
with shining eyes.
Thursday came at last. The formal