The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-11-27

| Thanksgiving"
Mrs Nislett took the fair oval face
between her two hands and kissed the
fresh little mouth.
set down. Ida" she said. II wasn't
a-calculatin' to have no sech fxin's up
but you've sech way. child, can't
never say no to you"
"But you're going to keep Thanks
giving" cried Ida, throwing off her
outer wrappings and dancing up to the
looking glass like a little gale Of wind,
because you invited Aunt Constance
and me to dinner and because your son
is coming home"
eyes, child, yes" said Mrs. Nisbett,
subsiding once more intoSthe mournful
key from which Lida's sudden appear
ance had momentarily aroused her.
"Joel's got the turkey shut up in a
coop, and the bakin' s done, and I'm
just a-fxin' them apples, and"-
"Oh, OH" cried Ida, who had flut-
tered to the window, "what glorious
red leaves speckled over with little
drops of gold! May l make some
wreaths for the wall? Oh, please say
yesv'
Mrs Nisbett said "yes''-it would
have been hard work to say ''no" to
Lida-and the girl soon came in, her
apron full of the sprigs of the old ma
pie tree, whose shadowy boughs kept
the window yelled with cool shadows
through the glaring summer days and
showered fading gold upon the dead
grass when the autumn came.
Mrs. Nisbett looked with tenderness
upon the graceful little figure seated
on the hearth rug. when the shine Of
the high heaped logs lost itself in her
bright hair and made sparkles in her
eyes, as the wreaths and trails Of au-
tumn leaves grew rapidly beneath her
deft fingers.
"Lida." she said softly, "Lida, my
dearv' Ida looked up.
81 saw your Aunt Constance yester-
day, but there's somethin' reserved
about her, and l didn't like to ask
about you-whether you had decided to
go out as governess or not; because,
my dear, Joel and l were talkin' last
night, and we both thought what a
comfort it would be to have you here"
ITO have me here"
Were old and we're alone, and
somehow we've both took a fancy to
you, my child. So when your Aunt
Constance goes back to the city, if you
choose to come here"-
Mrs. Nisbett paused abruptly and
burst into tears.
1--WE had a little girl once, my dear,
and if she'd lived she would ha' been
nigh about your age"
Ida let the leaves drop down on the
floor as she sprang up and threw both
arms round the old woman's neck.
"Oh, Mrs. Nisbett," she whispered
softly, you are so very, very kind.
Believe me, l appreciate it all, but
butt hardly know how to tell you"
Mrs. Nisbett listened intently. Ida
smiled and cried little and then whis-
pered so low it was scarcely audible.
81 am going to be married"
Married. calculated Mrs. Nisbett,
with all woman's interest in this i'm
portant piece Of information. "And
who tor
"Your son lives in Iowa-in Parting
toni"
Eyes"
"Well, did he ever mention the name
Of =r
Ida paused, her cheeks glowing
roses Old Nisbett had come in with an
armful of wood, bringing a gale with
him from the frosty outer world.
'pll tell you by and by whispered
Ida as she went back to her work.
"Joel III go out again arter awhile"
thought Mrs. Nisbett, "and then I'll
hear about Lida's beau"
But Joel sat down before the fire
with complacent satisfaction which
BODIED i'll for the qualification of his
wifes curiosity, and finally accompa-
MED Ida home, thus frustrating all
his wife's designs and cutting off her
chance of hearing Lida's story.
Dear me" thought she. II don't be-
heve the man was ever born who
knowed when he wasn't wanted! How
lonesome it seems when Lida's gone!
What does the girl want to get married
for when could ha' took such a sight
o. comfort with her? Oh, dear, dear!
1t does seem as if the world was all
askeww
The next day, in spite of the weather
prophets prediction of snow, dawned
clear and brilliant as the dying smile
of Indian summer. By II o'clock Mrs.
Nisbett was dressed in her best silk
and cap, with the turkey browning
beautifully in the oven and the cram
berry tarts doing credit to themselves
as well as to their maker, the table
set, the fire high heaped with cracking
logs and the plates dressed with coro-
nails of autumn leaves. Aunt Con-
stance, tall, prim maiden lady of un-
certain age, stood before the bedroom
looking glass arranging her couture.
Ida, In blue dress with late au-
tumn rose in her hair, was tripping
hither and thither as light footed and
helpful as half a dozen household fai-
ries merged into one, while Mrs. Mis-
bett stood regarding her with loving
eye, murmuring to herself:
"yVell. well, it seems like it was the
LORD ~ to deny US of just what we
most want. but IL had daughter