The Somerset reporter., 1903-11-26

ing that she wants to be sure that we
have a fine Thanksgiving turkey, and
so she is sending US live one. can
Just fancy how good he will taste with
some of your prime dressing"
Maria beamed. She was proud of
her cooking.
Jasper went to the freight office the
next evening and escorted the turkey
home trs person. When it was tethered
to a stake in the back yard, Maria
could not but declare that 1t was the
finest turkey she had ever seen, inf
nitely finer than any belonging to the
house next door
But, alas, there was no chance for
comparison. Others besides Marion had
evidently watched the growth of her
turkeys and took an interest, a proprie-
tary interest, in them. The next morn
Ing her turkey house was empty.
Marion cried. Here it was only two
days to Thanksgiving dinner and her
fathers long expected visit, and there
was a dearth of turkeys in Oreyille.
She was at an upper window gazing
disconsolately toward the empty poul-
try house when her glance happened
TO stray to the yard of her neighbOr.
She saw the turkey tethered to the
post Instantly she thought she recog
nlzed it as her favorite gobbler. 1t was
a case of mistaken Identity, but there
Is much of a sameness In turkeys
All, so he was the thief But where
were the others? Doubtless he had
made way with them. Here her tears
flowed again. 1t was a melancholy sat
isfaction to think how perfectly she
had diagnosed the strangers character
at that chance meeting so many weeks
before, but it was not a material COM
fort
Meanwhile there was equal distress
In the house of Peyton. Marias sister
was i'll, and she must come at once.
She had departed with many tears and
lamentations
Jasper after seeing her off had re-
turned home in a melancholy frame of
mind. No Thanksgiving dinner for him
now. He must eat at the hotel. And
the turkey?
Just then a most brilliant idea came
to him He had heard of Miss Carl
toms loss. Why not give her his tur-
key?
But very astonished face met him
next door. Was his conscience already
troubling him? Marion's cheeks were
young man presented the turkey In his
most polite manner.
He had scarcely finished when the
avalanche fell His turkey. For how
long had it been his turkey2 Since last
night. 1t was adding insult to injury
to return as a gift what he had previ-
ously stolen.
Jaspers bewilderment had changed
to anger.
"You accuse me-me2" he exclaimed
incredulously. But 1t is only on par
with your previous actions Permit me,
madam, to inform you that the turkey
arrived by express last night. You can
get the express agent to verify my
words. can only hope that you will
enjoy my turkey as much ns If 1t had
been one of your own" And before the
girl could speak he had bowed ironical-
ly and Wis gone.
1t was the next evening that there
came timid tap at Jasper's door. 1t
was the girl from the next house. Her
long lashes hid the dark eyes and the
scornful mouth trembled. Only the
nose still tilted aggravatingly. Il have
come" she said in very small voice,
'to say that | am sorry The express
agent told me how your aunt had sent
it, They have caught the thieves who
stole my turkeys
Jasper was silent 1t was undoubt-
edly cruel OF him. but he had suffered
much.
The girl went on brayely, though
there was choke in her voice: And
and-Tve come to ask you whether you
won't come over and have some of your
turkey with US tomorrow. Father will
be home. and | know he will be glad
to meet you. Won't you Gomez
Jasper saw tears shining behind the
long lashes His heart beat strangely
as be took her outstretched hand. Il
shall be glad to come he said quietly.
But it took Maria long time to get
used to the new state of affairs.