The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-11-11

dinner. Jim Brown"
Miss Halfway rose disconsolately
from the steps. Il suppose the well
hasn't gone away, too.' she said. "At
least we ought 10 be able to get a
drink OF water"
Alas. the well was inside the wood
shed. as they could see by looking in
at the window.
81 hate people who are so suspi-
cious," cried Eleanor "As If any one
would steal their old well!'
"There must be some way of getting
in," suggested Dick. I'm going to
try anyway"
He returned i'm a moment to report
an Unattached sash. and through II they
climbed into the kitchen. 1t was a
pleasant old room, with bright rag
carpet on the floor and tall clock
ticking solemnly in one corner.
'The idea of their leaving this love
ly, CHEEKY. homely place TO take din
ner somewhere else! said Eleanor aft
er she had had her drink and looked
about. why, it's the place for Il
Thanksgiving dinner. 1t seems Father
criminal, though. doesn't it," she con-
tinued in hushed voice, Ito break in
this way-rather robbery and burglari-
Gus? | wonder If they would mind?'
Surely not. We are castaways,
aren't we, on Il desert islandY
Like Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Ale
shine"
Exactly. And there's even the gin
ger jar on the mantelshelf," said Dick.
A sudden light Of inspiration came
into his face. There's stove" he
remarked slowly, land wood. l be-
lieve, and pots and pans and dishes
and a pantry. It's a clear case Of
Providence. Can you-er-cook any
thing?"
"Oh," gasped Eleanor, but it's-I
can fry chicken if there was one-and
cream potatoes and
Dick walked to the pantry. Then he
called her to look. On shelf was a
raw. deep golden pumpkin pie "Des-
sert," he said "Now for the cellar"
1--WE got itr' he called mp moment
later as he stood looking eagerly down
the stairs. Then he reappeared, a pan
of cream in one hand, basket Of po-
tatoes in the other and a chicken under
his arm.
Chicken" cried Eleanor ecstatically,
land cream! oh, you dear, dear boy"
She plucked an apron off a nail and
rolled up her sleeves. "Now. 90 and
split some wood" she ordered. land
make the fire. and fill the kettle, and
then I'll tell you what else TO do.
won't have any lounging or laziness,"
she ended. with mock severity.
Dick obeyed meekly and was sent on
errands TO the cellar for butter, and
TO the pantry for suet land he did not
know what that was. and she had to
go herself, which brought him n scold
ing, and to the barn for any eggs he
could find. Then he stood about in
the way watching Eleanor. enveloped
in a voluminous check apron. her arms
dusty with flour, her eyes dancing MS
she scurried about, now peeling the
potatoes. now looking wisely into
bubbiing saucepan, now basting the
chicken, stirring, tasting, seasoning.
burning her fingers and holding them
up for sympathy. Dick meanwhile
made toast and set the table and drew
a jug of cider and brought impossible
articles for her service, and with it all
wondered why any one had servants
when housekeeping was such a glori-
Gus business.
And the dinner-it was very mira.
cle-the chicken golden brown, crisp.
delicious; tie potatoes a creamy dream,
the pumpkin pie-well. Eleanor had
not made the pie, but still it was very
good. And. to crown the feast, there
was she, just across the narrow table.
flushed and radiant with triumph
Hasn't it been jolly?" Dick cried at
last, when the dinner was eaten.
Its just been the loveliest adven-
ture that ever was" said Eleanor
Its like fairy tale, like the three
bears. | believe this is the house of
the three bears-they would be named
Brown, you know-and fear any mo-
ment TO hear them come in and grow
out, Who's eaten up my bread and
MILK | am glad you are along to
protect me from their vengeance"
YES" said Dick, 80 am l.
EleanOr's adorable bare arms were
on the table. There was such lit
tie space between her hands and his.
A man might by leaning
Eyes, it's been glorious" said Dick
slowly-only can't it last, Eleanor.
dearT' He leaned across and took her
hands i'm his.
Her face sobered for moment: then
she smiled.
IF you are satisfied with my cook
ing, | guess the place will suit" she
whispered.
Some hours later the Black Pearl
came rolling up to the gate with Dick
at tie lever.
Il knew it would 60 all right now"
Eleanor said triumphantly. Next
time hope you'll believe me-"
'Well. | had faith enough to try,
anyway. II started up as If it never
had any other idea. | can't imagine
what the trouble was before
'Do you know what | think, Dick
/ believe It was enchanted-just like
this house and the chicken and every