The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-11-02

was only a servant, Who directed her
to the room above, where she was to
take off her things. She asked her
where she should leave the present she
had brought, but the girl did not seem
to understand and told her she must
see the mistress.
ny. Oh, how good it did seem to catch
glimpse of Johnnie again after such
long time! She stole in quietly and
took seat in a secluded corner. Thus
she remained almost unnoticed, for
after the ceremony everybody natural.
ly gathered about the bride and groom
for congratulations She, too, would
have gone up at once, only an awful
thought had come to her as she sat
there and made her delay her greet
ing. What If Johnnie should be asham-
ed to claim her as his aunt among all
these rich and fashionable people? 1t
was best to wait awhile and to see him
and his bride after the other guests
had dispersed somewhat. oh, why
had she come? Why had she been so
foolish as to part with the old blue
platter?
Then this was not all that made her
cup bitter one. She could see into the
room where the presents were. There
was such an array of bright silver and
sparkling glass. How poor and out Of
keeping her gift to the bride would
seem among them! No; she would car
ry the log cabin back home with her.
To think of all the pride she had taken
in piecing it, and now it was all lost.
She could not bear it.
Just then q bright faced young girl
touched her on the arm and said,
'Have you had chance to speak to
my sister yet?"
I'll don't even know who your sis
ter is" Mrs. Esterbrook stammered.
"Why, she's the bride! Come, I'll
take you to her."
AS they came near to the daisy
trimmed bower John Hosmer caught
sight Of his aunt and sprang forward.
"Why, Aunt Rizpah; where did you
come from? I'm delighted to see you!
But you wrote you could not be here"
He gave her such greeting that the
best cap was sadly disarranged and
both the hair bracelets and the bead
bag landed on the floor.
"And this is my Laura" he contin-
ued, introducing the pretty bride at his
side.
"I'm SO glad to know Aunt Rizpah,"
she said kissing her affectionately, and
holding the black mitted hand tender
ly, "for John has told me so much
about you.''
eff you had only let us know you
were coming" he continued, you
would have been the guest of honor
and the first to congratulate us in
stead of the last"
This was balm to the old lady's trou-
bled soul, and the wounds began to
heal like magic. But she simply an
swered, I'll thought it would be nice
to surprise you"
ut seems no time since l used to
spend my summers with you, Aunt
Rizpah," her nephew continued. "This
is about the time of the year you put
up the sour cherries, isn't it? And that
makes me think-come with me.
want to show you platter Laura had
among her wedding presents that's
precisely like the one you used to sun
your cherries on"
Regardless of the fact that he was
breaking over formality in leaving
his post, he took his aunt into the
dining room adjoining, where. in cor
ner cupboard, was displayed with
numerous other old dishes, Lafayette
landing platter.
Nothing ever tasted so good as those
preserves you used to put up, Aunt
Rizpah. Will you make me some
some time?" John Hosmer inquired as
he opened the door of the cupboard
Hush, Johnnie, don't let any one
hear, but I've got you jar up stairs
in my basket"
"Bless your heart, Aunt Rizpah. You
are the only one who has thought to
bring me present, and assure you |
appreciate it,"
He took out the platter to show her.
why, why, Johnnie" she exclaim-
ed excitedly, '.just look at this nickv'
Mick! Why, that's nothing" said
her nephew. laughing heartily. Laura
is getting collection of old fashioned
crockery, and you ought to see some of
the things she picks up. Why, hicks
,, and cracks add to the value of dish"
No, no; but this particular nick!
| Johnnie, that's my old blue platter,
and there's no mistaken it. Er-er-
Johnnie, sold it so as to come here
today. The lady said she wanted it
for weddin present, and this is where
she's sent it. 1t does seem as if the
hand of Providence was in it ALL"
Here was truly most interesting
coincidence. The story was told to
Laura, and she knew at once, from the
description given of the one who had
bought the platter, that it was indeed
her friend Mrs. Ridgeway, her col.
league in china hunting.