The Iola register., 1901-11-29

She stood "afar of" with her hands
folded in her white dimity apron while
Thad ushered in the stranger.
81 think / am little faint" he said,
sinking into the comfortable seat near the
FIRE and letting his head rest on his hand
while dhapidated cap dropped to the
Boor.
Halle Woodburn 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.
"Arc you ll?' she asked, cor only faint
from hunger"
ut is hunger, madam" he answered,
without looking up
Hurry, Geniel" said Miss Woodburn,
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 tho proffcred cup;
he looked up instead. 81 am hungry of
heart" he said, with pitiful intonation;
"ten years of soul famine, Halliel"
With a glad cry of recognition Miss
Woodburn threw her arms around the nice
tramp's neck
90, Ned Vickers; it is you!" she said, Joy
ously.
at is what is left of me-" he answered,
brokenly 81 have come back TO he for
given"
There is nothing to forgive" exclaimed
Miss Woodburn, and you must not go
head where the snow-damp hair waved just
as it used to do
But. Halle, you don't want me if I've
gone TO the bad No; | only came back to
be forgiven, though 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-
ciously, not understanding the look on his
face.
"Why, it's Ned Vickersl" answered
Thad, trumphantly, 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 il 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 cot
fee will be waiting"
"He is my dear old love-" she explained
to Genie later; "but | presume you don't
quite understand"
20. yes. ma ami" answered the maid.
fitting about like a butterfly and blushing
like a peony
"How. Genie? You have no loverY'
20 yes, ma'am, have" came the an.
swer, shyly.
"lndced Who. Gcnie?'
"Thad, a'am, simpcred the girl, in con.
fusion,
well, Genie" and Miss Woodburn took
the girls face between her palms, don
ever send him away, then
That | won't, ma'am' exclaimed she.
II won't be such "a"
"An IDIOT" finished Miss Halle. well.
heaven has been better to me than ! de
serve. Genie. and | will begin my thanks.
giving tonight
When the nice tramp came down tor his
coffee Miss Woodburn exclaimed. in sur
prise: "Why, Ned Niokers, you have de
ceived mel"
And hadn't he! As he stood there laugh
ing. dressed in the latest style with a
gleam OF gold in his attire!
Forgive me. Halle he said, and he
stopped TO kiss her, as in the olden days.
81 wanted to surprise you; then, too, |
wondered il you could love me in tramp
sh apparel
well you've found out, - she answered,
eaylv Then she looked lovingly at hlm
over the coffce-urn and said, softly: To
morrow will, indeed, be real ThanksgIV
iuu -