The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-22
Thanksgiving Day and Julian
Nv FLORENCE HOLMES BEACH.

his career man liz perhaps too apt TO
overrate the value OF a womnn'B smile;
he thinks that because she singles him
out to fetch and carry for her that
she really likes him. Perhaps, even, she
allows him tho right to give her few
diamonds set In n band of gold, and per-
chance Mt some Thanksgiving dinner he
cats his turkey and cranberry sauce by
her sldc-by the bye, don't think this
cranberry sauce is UP to the mark. do
you?-nnd all tho time she is Just giving
him his preliminary canter. Then she
gives mighty tug at the rcins and pulls
him short"
Possibly" said Sadie, with sugges-
tlon of tremble in her voice, "he de-
| served It,"
4es?' he Intercepted. looking at the
curly brown lashes that hid the gray
eyes bent on the pumpkin pie in her
plate. "Perhaps-7
She certainly thought-he was in the
wrong; she was only waiting for his ex-
PLANTATION, andwhen he offered none"
But he interrupted, "excuse me, you
are Working on wrong hypothesis; you
forget she did not really love him."
Then why" she cried. her cheeks fam
ing crimson, why did she promise to
marry him?'
just then sadie's ear caught the name
or Mr.. Julian Abbott from the lips Of
the toastmastor. She looked up hur-
rledly Just as Julian rose IN his scat
beside her, saying, In his clear, musical
voice: Mr.. Chairman, My Lords Ladies.
Indies and gentlemen.-I have been asked
TO propose the toast of our guests. The
Ladies'. For such task my only quail
ncatlon Is very warm regard and nd
Iniration for them ALL" There was n
general laugh. He then proceeded to
make what the newspapers the next day
called n remarkably brilliant and witty
speech. Sadie. momentarily forgetting
herseif and her shatterd affections, leaned
oack IN her Chair and listened with
, ,nsieu sense OF wonder and admiration
IowaEds the close tho speaker said.
Surely one of the chief charms q, n
woman Is her inconsistency. While wo
are never sure how woman will treat
u.s. whether she will smile or whether
sne VIII frown, or what She will do under
any circumstances. then 1t is that we
moore her. She is not problem In Euclid
70 be solved by mathematics: she ia
the unknown quantitl, charming In her
yasaries. bewitching in her variations.
ask you now, gentlemen, to charge
your glasses and drink to The Ladtes.'.
Amid many cheers and much annlauso
the toast was drunk
eaoie turned to him. her eyes shin.
ing: That was splendid" she said: ~
congratulate you"
Ie gave her curious inscrutable look.
"hich somehow gave her new feeling
OF shyness. THANK YOU" he said
When the last toast had been drunk
the company began to move away from
the tables.
think" Sadie said to her father, we
ought to be going"
She slowly pushed back her chair and
took up her fan and gloves The elatton
had died out OF her eyes, and shc looked
very tired.
! She followed her father down the room
into the vestibule. There was n larpa
crowd there and she had to fight her way
through. In the crush she had lost sight
OF her rather. man carelessly stem
ping backwards canroned into her. Be
fore the man could apologize long black
arm shot out from behind and pushed
him aside.
Il think you might take my arm"
said Julian.
Just then woman's voice hailed him.
''Ah! Mr.. Abbott, I've been waiting to
see you. saw you at the table, but
you didn't see me. My. that was a bully
speech You made"
Inc speaker. stout, good-natured
looking woman. pushed her way UP to
the pair. and shook hands very heartily
with Julian.
Il didn't know you were in England"
she continued; we've been away from
New York for the last year and more
It's real nice to see you again. All! 1
know who this young lady u.s. turning
to Sadie; my sister wrote out and told
me all about your engagement at the time
1t was announced. Why, let me see. that
must be about q year ago--last Thanks
giving day. declare, and Two always
wanted to congratulate YOU" She seized
sadie's hand. my dear" she said. in
loud whisper, you must be very proud
of him after that speech he made
She paused for breath. and to Sadle's
relief Julian came to the rescue. He
laid his hand upon hers as 1t rested
on his arm.
Yes. Mrs. Smith, this is my fancee.
am glad you have met"
II wish you every joy. When are
you going to be married?"5 Asked Mrs.
Smith.
Very soon" said Julian, calmly; in
a few weeks time. I hope. Sadie. don't
forget to send Mrs. Smith some wedding
cake. But come. dear, your father will
be getting impatient"
Pursued by torrent Of words from
Yrs. Smith. they succeeded In getting
near the doorway
Sadie said Julian, holding her arm
tightly, Its too late to retract now; you
didn't speak In time"
NO said Sadie. no longer tired-look-
ing IL didn't want to. Here is the
carriage won't you come back with us?f
She laughed happily. You know she
said, softly, father always goes to sleep
on the way home. and--I have something
to say to YOU
Copyright, 1905. by Joseph B. Bowles)
was also resumed on the canal across