Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-30
A THANKSGIVING
DINNER
Il InyOved a Plot That
Failed

Il Involved a Plot That
BY cLARISSA MAcKlH

light fall Of snow on the ground. and
the low hanging gray clouds promised
another furry OF white flakes. The
men Of the household had taken their
guns and disappeared in the direction
OF the woods. Bob Lindsay had prom
ised them a rabbit pie for the Thanks
giving dinner. and Mrs. Lindsay was
In her sitting room rcplanning the
menu with this gastronomic delight in
view.
II don't believe II would hurt us one
bit to 20 down into the woods. OF
course | don't like 10 see them shoot
the darling little fluffy rabbits, but IT'S
awfully stupid here pouted Lena Gil
bert. looking wistfuly through the
window at the gray outside world.
why don't you 90 out. Lena? |
will 90 too. Want 10 come. FeliciaT
Amy arose and stretched her supple
young form lazily. This fire feels
mighty good" she added regretfully.
run along. do" urged Felicia. II
went to finish this collar tonight. so
you can't lure me outdoors ! enjoyed
a brisk walk before breakfast"
so did fangford." observed Amy
carelessly and then bit her lip.
To disin,erested observer all three
girls looked conscious at the mention
OF Langford Dale's name. Felicia's
dark head bent more closely above her
embroidery. and deep rose color In
H. 4. IL. ana
quite white. and her light blue eyes
scanned FelicIa's charming face. Amy
Lindsay. whose guests they were. was
quite distressed mt the suggestiveness
OF her careless remark.
"Come. Lena; put on your woolly cap.
The first fakes are flying now"
As Lena arose. Strengthening her
slender form with n side glance at
Felicia Wendell. there came an inter
ruptlon 10 the plans A maidservant
tripped down the wide. curvlng stair
way with a folded bit OF paper In her
hand
IL beg pardon. Miss Amy" she said
with pert toss of her head, but
what shall do with this note? II
doesn't exactly tell who it's for
Where did you find IT, Nora:" she
asked
"In the upper hall, ma'am. II might
have dropped from the basket Of
waste paper | had taken from the
rooms awhile ago"
Miss Lindsay looked douhtfully AT
. tt,st-sA6
ly. Nora. II may not be note nj all.
Very likely II Is merely n bit Of dis
carded paper" She tossed II toward
the fire. but II fell short on the hearth
rug. and Lena Gilbert picked IL up.
Nora made movement OF protest.
"0h. ma'am. do believe II is n note,
because It's signed and" The girl
stopped short and REDEEMED furiously
at ANY, look OF surprised dspleasure.
"Ah. you read 1t. Nora
How could find out where II be-
longed II didn't open Il: And was
right too And Nora Brady. who
knew thar her term Of service would
soon he ended smiled as she venturcd
this last inpertincnce and slipped
away 10 the rear of the house. Lena
Gilbert tossed the twisted paper over
10 Amy, who caught II deftly.
VERY likely IT'S only scrubbed
memorandum. Nora is always Great.
ing mountains from molehils ! am
so glad that she is 10 marry the gar
dener and 20 away. To open II or not.
that Is the vital question" she ended
dramatically.
"Open II, goosie, and then come out
doors" advised Lena lmpatIently. She
leaned against Amy's shoulder as the
latter slowly UNFINISHED the note and
spread II out so that ii could be read
II ran thus
Darling there was huge black blot that
obliterated the nance There is something
| must tell you before | 20. VIII you not
be reading IN the library half hour be-
fore dinner? Devotcdly. LANG,
"Oh. oh. OH cried Amy Lindsay
us the meaning OF the note dawned
upon her She crumpled II In her
hand and stared excitedly into lena's
red face. What have | doneT"
Vft| t'tA Ahs h'A's htats oiih
Lena In silky voice. and her slim
fingers drew the paper from Amy's
hand and tucked II into the bosom
Of her gown. Il forgive you. Amy.
but don't let us talk about IL. Its
dead secret. you know She shook
her finger archly at her doubtful
hostess.
Lena's face was sparkling with ex-
element and triumph rs she gently
pushed Amy from the hall. Leave
that to me. Amy" she advised with
ripping laugh. by by. Felicia"
she sang over her shoulder AT the dark
haired girl sewing quietly by the iiro.
"Goodby." smiled Felicia. quite in
different 10 the little scene about the
note Nora had found.
As she wove delicate stitches in the
fine linen collar she was embroIdcrlng
her thoughts flew 10 that early morn.
ing walk In the wintry garden She
had stolen out all alone 10 drink in the
fresh cold air. 10 watch the bluejays
quarrellng among the leafless trees. 10