The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-11-29
Miss Lucinda's
Loot Brooch

PettiboneS together under the old home
roof. 1t was the great day of the year
for them, and nothing could bring keen
er disappointment to young or old than
to be prevented from celebrating it I'M
der the old time honored CUSTOM which
they had been brought up to regard
quite as much in the light of duty as a
pleasure.
Aunt Cindy. busy over the connection
of the ''punkin" pies for which she
I was famous throughout all Lilbury
land the region roundabout" was
thinking of dead and gone Thanksgiy-
ings. AS she beat bowl of eggs into
golden froth her thoughts went back to
that Thanksgiving day ten years ago
when a shadow fell upon her life-a
shadow that had never lifted. True, but
few eyes saw it nowadays, but it was
in her heart yet. and all the sunshine
of her quiet, peaceful life could not dis
pei it.
II wonder what has become of him?'
she said to herself as she slfted sugar
crystals into the foaming mass. Per
haps he's dead Who knows? Ten
years Is long time, and great many
things may happen in them"
If tear or two fell into the bowl, |
do not think the pies were any the
worse for them. Perhaps they gave
them better flavor
HE" was Robert Grant, and Robert
Grant had been her lover long ago.
Everybody had said at was going to
be match" between them, and In this
case Everybody" had good reasons for
thinking so, for, though no formal en-
gagement had ever existed between
them, there had been tacit under
standing of the heart which it is never
necessary to put into words to make
ones meaning and intention plain. But
on that Thanksgiving day ten years
ago there had arisen some misunder-
standing which had parted them. Just
what it was about Lucinda could not
tell now as she thought about it. I'VE
were both so foolish, so unreasonable. 3"
she had often told herself. ITO think
of letting two lives be parted by some
thing so insignificant that neither fully
understood what it was!
Dear mer' exclaimed Martha Petit
bone, Lucnda's sister-in-law, as she
dropped into a comfortable rocking
chair in one corner of the kitchen.
Pm glad we've got about done with
our work. amt you, Lucinda? I'm al
lus real glad to have 'em come here.
but one gets so nigh beat out with
cookn an fussin that I'm allus glad
that it don't happen more'n once n
year.
why, Cindy." suddenly, "where is
your breastpin? | thought you had 1t
on, You don't look nat'ral without ii"
Lucinda put her hand to her collar
The brooch she always wore was gone.
II can't think what's become of it,
she said in great surprise. 81 certainly
had it on at breakfast time. | don't
remember being out of the kitchen
since. 1t must be somewhere about
the ROOM"
A careful search was made, but the
brooch was not to be found.
Thanksgiving day dawned clear and
beautiful. as all Thanksgiving day
mornings ought, to be in keeping with
the thoughts which come, or ought to
come, at such time.
Now. Cindy. you run right up an git
ready to receive the company" said
Martha after breakfast. "I'll see to all
that needs dom down stairs"
So Lucinda went up to her room and
"got ready" The dark wine colored
cashmere dress she donned was very
becoming to her fair complexion, with
soft frills of lace at throat and wrists.
81 don't seem to grow old very fast
In looks" she thought as she stood be-
fore the glass to give the last feminine
touches to her toilet. "Thirty-five. LII
cinda Pettibone! Do you realize that
that means half an ordinary lfetime?"
Then she sighed, for thought came
into her mind of what life might have
been If All. these ifs
Hurry up, Aunt Cindy" cried John
Junior from the stairs. They're comm,
cause hear bells. Hooray" Then
there was a stampede of new boots
down the hall.
MhrIlD IOiKS Is mere, Sulu Murlud,
putting her head out of the kitchen.
Tell 'em I'll be in as soon as I've tend
ed to the turkey
Lucinda went into the sitting room
to receive the guests. The air was full
of kindly greetings and good wishes as
she shook hands with the newcomers.
They seemed TO have brought the very
spirit of Thanksgiving with them.
Where's Martha2'' asked Sister Sa
rah almost as soon as handshaking
was over. Il want to see her about
somethin the worst way. In the kitch-
en-? Well, then, I'll go right in. You
stay here an see to the children, Gin
dy, while Pm gone"
For the lan's sake" cried Martha as
Sarah appeared in the kitchen door.
How do you do, an how's all the
folks?"
"Quite well, thanky." responded Sa-
rah, with proper politeness, which was
instantly put aside as soon as the door
was closed behind her and the two
were alone. Martha Pettibone, I've
got some news for you. You can't
guess who came to our house las
night?"
ELDER Hogaboom" ventured Mar
tina.