Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-11-26


jerkily.
IT knew she'd call me-" he laughed, obey.
ing the summons with alacrity.
See what disturbs Bijou So" said Miss
Woodburn, from over her book
The chore man went out quickly, let.
ting in furry of icy snow behind him
Presently he came back, bringing a furry
in with him.
"It's a man who has lost his VI y" he
said, "and he'd like a cup of coffee and
bit of warmth before he goes further,
And it's an awful night" emphasized Thad.
"a tramp" and Miss Woodburn's face
was study. ut is hardly safe for-us-
III he's tramp he's an awfully nice
one." interrupted Thad. forgetting his
manners. "but whoever he is, he is almost
froze"
A vision Of Ned vickers going out into
that other storm rose up. And he had
gone to the bad" people said. Maybe
he, too, was tramp by this time!
Bring him into the dining-room. then. /"
she said, kindly.
"a nice tramp!" hufed Genie, poking
the kitchen CRATE and rafting the cups with
savage spitefulness. whoever heard of
nice tramp?"
She stood "afar off" with her hands
folded in her white dimity apron while
Thad ushered in the stranger.
II think | am little faint" he said,
sinking into the comfortable seat near the
fire and letting his head rest on his hand,
while dilapidated cap dropped to the
floor.
Halle WOODBURY. was on the other side
OF the heavy portiere, but the voice start
led her and she peeped through When
she saw the strangers attitude, however,
she came into the room.
Are you ill.," she asked, cor only faint
from hunger?"
"1t is hunger, madam" he answered,
without looking up.
Hurry, Genie!" said Miss WOODBURY.,
solicitously, "the stranger is nearly fam.
ished." Then she went for a reviving
draught. 'Here!" she said, drink this;
you will feel BETTER"
But he did not take the profered cup;
he looked up instead. 81 am hungry of
heart" he said, with pitiful intonation;
ten years of soul famine, Hallie"
With glad cry of recognition Miss
WOODBURY. threw her arms around the nice
tramp's neck.
20, Ned Vickers; it is you'll" she said, joy.
ously.
ut is what is left of me-" he answered,
brokenly. 81 have come back to be for.
given"
There is nothing to forgive!" exclaimed
Miss Woodburn, land you must not go
away again, Ned, dear" kissing his fore
head where the snow-damp hair waved just
as it used to do.
Rut Hall;
gone to the bad. No; only came back to
be forgiven, though l do love you as of old!"
| Miss Woodburn hid her face on the shah.
by coat and Thad hurried away to the
kitchen, closing the doors softly after him.
What is it, now?" asked Genie, ungra-
ciousy, not understanding the look ON his
face.
why, it's Ned Vickers!" answered
Thad, triumphantly, ''and | came away to
let them get acquainted all over again"
After awhile Thad slid quietly into the
dining-room with the Modified Genie in his
wake.
"Thad," said Miss Woodburn, smiling
happily, this is an old friend of mine. He
will be our guest tomorrow and we will
have Thanksgiving after all Show him
to the south guest chamber and when he
is ready bring him down at once; the cof-
fee will be waiting"
HE is my dear old love-" she explained
to Genie later; .but l presume you don't
quite underestimate
so, yes, ma'am!" answered the maid,
fitting about like butterfly and blushing
like peony.
How, Genie? You have no lover?"
80 yes, maam, l have came the an
swer, shyly.
"Indeed! Who, Genie?''
'Thad, ma am, simpered the girl, in con
fusion.
''Well, Genie" and Miss Woodburn took
the girls face between her palms. don't
ever send him away, then
THAT l won't, ma AMI" exclaimed she.
81 won't be such a."
can IDIOT" finished Miss Halle. well,
heaven has been better to me than l de-
serve Genie, and | will begin my thanks,
, giving tonight"
When the nice tramp came down for his
coffee Miss Woodburn exclaimed, in sur
prise: "Why, Ned Vickers, you have de-
ceived mel
And hadn't he! AS he stood there laugh
ing, dressed in the latest style. with a
CLEAN of gold in his attire!
Forgive me. Halle" he said. and he
stopped to kiss her, as in the olden days,
Il wanted to surprise you; then, TOO, |
wondered if you could love me in tramp.
ish apparel"
We'll, you've found out" she answered,
gayy. Then she looked lovingly at him
over the coffee-urn and said, softly: To
morrow will, indeed, be real Thanksgiv.
ing"