The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1908-02-20

the front room ON the first floor instead
of the rear hall rooms ON the third and
fourth floors.
Colonel McGregor was studying O
chess problem over in one corner, and
various little groups were formed
about the room. Blanche had just de-
cided that the hall room was prefera-
BILE to the piano when Mrs. Castleton
transferred her attention from the
amorous pair at the piano to the new
conner.
"Oh, Miss Philbrick,' she called.
MAY speak with you momentT'
Blanche came forward, wondering
what Mrs. Castleton might have to
say. Evidently from the fat smile that
adorned the landlady's face she was
about to ask favor.
Are you to be here for dinner
ThursdayT' went on Mrs. Castleton.
ats Thanksgiving" continued the
matron, seeing from Blanche's face
that she did not understand. "All the
rest of the folks are going home for
the day or will spend it with friends"
II have no friends here in the city,"
said Blanche frankly, "and home Is SO
dreadfully far away"
Home had never seemed SO far away
as at that moment. She had left her
home when her father married again.
There was no place she might call
home, not even the little room up
stairs.
Mrs. Castleton's face fell at the an
nouncement. II was thinking that If
you was going out, too" she explained,
~ might let the servants have the day
out. Then we could have the turkey
and things on Sunday" she added as
proof that her motives were not mer-
cenary.
Guy Blaisdell noted the girls embar-
rassment and came to her relief. "You
have left me out Of this discussion" F"
he cried gayly. "Tm one of the home
less too. l propose that Miss Philbrick
Join me in the formation of the Society
For Making People Thankful"
Mrs Castleton eyed Blalsdell appre'
hensively. She never was certain
where his remarks would lead. Only
that morning he had led her on In
praise of the butter and had wound up
by declaring it to be the strongest but
ter he had ever tasted. Blaisdell caught
her glance and hastened to put hel
mind at rest.
'This is an admirable order" he rar
on. "I know where there is place
where they give real old fashioned
New England cooking. They are going
to spread themselves Thursday. II
Miss Philbrick will be my guest she
will make me very thankful and at thu
same time she will make the servants
thankful, too, by giving them chanc'
to 20 to the matinee instead Of worry
ing over an elaborate dinner for two
win you come, Miss Philbrick"
For a moment Blanche hesltated. l
was not that she did not want to go
her soul revolted at the very though
of Thanksgiving dinner in Mr.. Castle
toms gloomy dining room-but she hat
not vet accustomed herself to the In
formality of dinner with compare
lively unknown man without chape
ron.
She knew that chaperons were no
considered necessary where girls earn
ed their own living. still 1t seemed
little daring. But BlaisdelPs cage
face and Mrs. Castleton's appealin
glance decided her. She turned t
Blaisdell with little nod.
T shall be most happy to accep
your invitation" she said, and Mrs
Castleton looked relieved. Thanksgi'
ing md Christmas were her bugbear'
Once In her own room Blanche wa
amazed at her action. She had bee
in the city for eight months, and In a
that time not once had she accepte
any Of the numerous offers OF entel
tainment. She liked Blaisdell bette
than any of the others in the nous
There was something fresh and whole
some about him, very different froI
the assumed sophistication OF most
the men. He was past thirty, and
bald patch on the back of his hea
was already beginning to be In ev
dence. but he was still boy at near
and from the first Blanche had bee
attracted to him.
The dinner was all that Blaisdeil ha