The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-01-03

ON II STEPS
the front room on the first floor instead
of the rear hall rooms on the third and
fourth floors.
Colonel McGregor was studying Il
chess problem over in one corner, and
various little groups We're formed
about the room. Blanche had just de
ciled that the hall room was plefera-
bic to the piano when Mrs. Castleton
transferred her attention from the
amorous pair at the piano to the new
ome
ooh, Miss Philbrick," she called.
"May I speak with you a moments"
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 a favor.
"Are you to be here for dinner
Thursday" went on Mrs. Castleton.
"It's 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"
Il 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 ever the little room up
stairs.
Mrs. Castleton's face fell at the an
nouncement. Il was thinking that if
you was going out, too" she explained.
Il 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 We're not nler-
cenary.
Guy Blaisdell noted the girls embar-
rassment and came to her relief. You
have left me out of this discussion"
he cried gayly. I'm one of the. home
less too. I propose that Miss Philbrick
join me in the formation Of the Society
For Making People Thankful"
Mrs. Castleton eyed Blaisdell apprc-
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
FLY declaring it to be the strongest but
ter he had ever tasted. Blaisdell caught
her glance and FASTENED to put her
mind at rest.
''This is an admirable ORDER" he ran
on. 81 know where there is a place
where they give real old fashioned
New England cooking. They are going
to spread themselves Thursday. If
Miss Philbrick will be my guest she
will make me very thankful and at the
same time she will make the servants
thankful, too, by giving them a chance
to go to the matinee instead of worry
ing over an elaborate dinner for two.
Will you come. Miss Philbrick"
For a moment Blanche hesitated. 1t
was not that she did not want to go
her soul revolted at the very thought
Of Thanksgiving dinner in MI. Castle
tons gloomy dining room-but she had
not vet accustomed herself to the in
formality of dinner with a compare
lively unknown man without a chape-
ron.
She knew that chaperons We're not
considered necessary where girls earn
ed their own living, still it seemed a
little daring. But Blaisdell's eager
face and Mrs. Castleton's appealing
glance decided her. She turned to
Blaisdell with a little nod.
st shall be most happy to accept
your invitation she said, and Mrs.
Castleton looked relieved. Thanksgiv-
ing and Christmas were her bugbears.
Once in her own room Blanche was