The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-11-19

ate slowly listening meantime to her
friends goss ping chat. After enjoy
ing her repast Cecil declared her lnten-
tion of taking stroll BriskIy she
walked down the smooth, hard road
that led thru small valleys, across hills,
and wended its way to the little city of
Hadley. Arriving at Hadley she pro-
ceeded to the little cottage where the
minister, Mr.. Charles Rutledge and his
wife lived-friends of Nellie and herr
self.
Mrs. Rutledge SET ing Cecil pause at
the gate called invitingly from the
doorway: "Come in, Miss S afford. aud
take tea with me-"
"Just what l WAS about to do," was
Cecil's agood-natured, tho somewhat
unexpected, answer.
Seated al a small table they enjoyed
a light repast, and after conversing on
general matters for while Cecil
preached the matter uppermOst in her
mind. In her own way, with womanly
tact, she related the story of Nellie and
Tom. Mrs. Rutledge being used to the
woes of people absently broke cake
and listened. 81 thought you could
perhaps aid me in bringing them to-
gether again." leaning back i'll her
chair Mrs. Rutledge confidently said:
"Of course can. See here, Tom Ham
ilton is here in IIadley now, for l saw
him last night. was going to speak
TO him but he turned away SO abruptly
that l wondered what made him act
SO. If you have no objection Charles
can, know, help us-you won't mind,
will your"
mo; anyone who can assist us is
welcome to do So"
"Well, then, Mr.. Ratiedge and 1 will
discuss the matter tonight, and l will
|. send you letter tomorrow"
Cecil soon departed for her return
walk 10 the Davis home, thankful for
the friends when in need of friend.
ships aid.
AT noon the following day a messen'
ger boy delivered a letter at the Davis
home to Cecil. Sne read it carefully
, and quickly prepared her reply. Not
lug Nellie's ihquiring. look she smil
+, iDgly SAID: We are invited to spenC
this evening at4he parsonage. l tool
the liberty of accepting the Invitation
:. for 10th of US because tomorrow ii
Thanksgiving Day and the evening
> walk may arouse our spiiits SO We will
). feel like giving thanks tomorrow. Dit
1 do righty"
! "Why yes; of course we will 90"
:, "Aud let's Wear our white dI esses,
4 Cec ell suggested, and Nellie agreed.
AS the evening shadows were falling
! the two girls, dressed in white, wit
, kay colOr.d shaWls about them, mad
their way to the parsonage. Mr.. Ru;
+ ledge answered CeciPs light tapping a
"a the door, admitted the girls aid led tn
/, Way to the parlor. 1t Was but smal
; parlor where the Rutledges emtertaine
visitors and friends, but the neat nesl
a home-lik. and comfortable appearance
together with the goodwill and hosp
,r tality accorded all made mp for NOR
~ luxuriously furnished room. In on
IF corner of the room was the piano PR
sented to Mrs. Rutledge when sh
n became sixteen years of age. Othe
n furnishings were plain but tastily a.
D. ranged. At one end of the parlOr heav
curtains were slightly apart revealin
ID the dining room. When the girls er
,h tered the parlor Mr.. Rutledge arose
so greet them, and motioning to Nellie
ed led her into the dining room, thent
a into the kitchen adjoining. AS the
n entered the kitchen a young man arOs
n. from u chair beside one of the viii
re- dows. He and Nellie faced each 9th,
n. and then looks exchanged were suffic
ed ent TO enable the minister to know th'
ly the meeting was mutually satisfaction
h to both of the young peopl-. Adroit
ed he slipped back to the pal lOr where h
er- wife and Cecil were. An exchange
nd knowing smiles and nod from hi
ed SEEMED all that WAS necessary to veri
it the mental thoughts and hopes of Il
lly women. However, silence settle
m, over the little group in tie parlor; eat
ler absentIy scanned magazines aud wait,
.ry -wonderingly waited for the appes
IL ance of Nellie and Tom. After VIII