Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-12-02

nome i'm person. When it was fethere0
to a stake in the back yard Maria
could not but declare that it 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 q dearth of turkeys in Oreville.
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 neighbour
She saw the turkey tethered to the
post Instantly she thought she recog-
nized II 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 theft But where
were the others? Doubtless he had
made way with them. Here her tears
flowed again. 1t was 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. Maria's. 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 n most brilliant idea came
to him. He had heard of Miss Carl
tons loss. Why not give her his tur-
key?
But very astOnshed face met him
next door. Was his conscience already
troubling him? Marion's checks were
scarlet with anger as the unconscious
young man presented the turkey in his
most polite manner.
He had scarcely finished when the
avalanche fell. His turkey! For how
long had il been his turkey? Since last
night. 1t was adding insult to Injury
to return as a gift what he had previ-
ously stolen.
Jasper's bewilderment had changed
TO anger.
"You accuse me-me?" he exclaimed
incrcdulously But il 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 as if IT had
been one of your own" And before the
girl could speak he had bowed ironical- |
ly and WAS gone.
1t was the next evening that there |
came timid tap at JaSpcr's door. III
was the girl from the next house. Her
long laShCS hid the dark eyes and the
scornful mouth trcmbled. Only the
uosc still til'cd aEgravatingly. 81 have
come" she said in Il very small voice,
"to say that am sorry. The express
agent told me how your aunt had sent
it, TEcy 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 OH bravely, though
there was choke in her voice: And
lnd-l've 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
10 meet you. Won't you come"
Jasper saw tears shining behind the
ong lashes. His heart beat strangely
Is he took her outstretched hand. 81
shall be glad to come" he said quietly.
But it took Maria long time to get
ised to the new state of affairs.