Bridgeton pioneer., 1912-12-26
A THANKSGIVING
DINNER
II InvOWed a Plot That
Failed

BY CLARISSA MACKIE

The low h2nging 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 rabbit pie for the Thanks
giving dinner. and Mrs. Lindsay WAS
in her sitting room replanning the
menu with this gaStronomic delight la
view
Il don't believe it would hurt us one
bit to go down INTO the woods. Oi
course don't like to see them shoot
the darling little fluffy rabbits. but it,
awfully stupid here" pouted Lena Gil
bert. looking wistfully through the
window at the gray outside world.
Why don't you go out, Lena?
will go too. Want to come, Felicia:'
Amy arose and stretched her supple
young form lazily. This fire feels
nighty good" she added regretfully
Run along. do" urged Felicia. Il
went to finish this collar tonight, so
you can't lure me outdoors. | enjoyed
a brisk walk before breakfast
$50 did Langford," observed Amy
careleSSly and then bit her lip.
To a disinterested observer all three
girls looked conscious at the mention
of Langford Dales name. Felicia's
dark head bent more closely above her
embroidery. and deep rose color in
vaded her cheeks. Lena Gilbert grew
quite white, and her light blue eyes
aI oil fo's, -, con
Lindsay. whose guests they were. was
quite distressed at the suggestiveneSS
of her careless remark.
Come, Lena; put on your wooily cap
The first flakes are flying now
AS Lena arose. Strengthening hel
slender form with a side glance at
Felicia Wendell. there came an inter
ruption to the plans. a maidservant
tripped down the wide. curving stair
way with folded bit of paper in her
hand
81 beg pardon. Miss Amy she said
with pert toss of her head. but
what shall | do with this note? 1t
doesn't exactly tell who it's for
Where did you find it. Nora?' she
asked
''In the upper hall. ma'am. 1t might
have dropped from the basket of
waste paper l had taken from the
rooms awhile ago"
Miss Lindsay looked doubtfully at
the outside of the twisted note. "Real-
ly. Nora. it may not be note at all
Very likely it is merely bit of dis
-carded paper" She tossed it toward
the fire. but it fell short on the hearth
rug, and Lena Gilbert picked it up.
Nora made movement of protest
''Oh, ma am. do believe it is a note
because it's signed and The girl
stopped short and Redeemed furiously
at Amy'S look Of surprised displeasure
"Ah. you read it, Nora?''
How could | find out where it be
longed if l didn't open it? And l was
right toe" And Nora Brady, who
knew thai her term of service would
soon y" cnied, smiled as she ventured
this ~st impertinence and slipped
away to the rear of the house. Lena
Gilbert tossed the twisted paper over
to Amy. who caught it deftly.
VERY likely it's only a scribbled
memorandum. Nora is always Great
ing mountains from molehills. am
so glad that she is to marry the gar
dener and go away. To open it or not,
that is the vital question" she ended
dramatically.
open it, gOOsie, and then come out
doors" advised Lena impatiently. She
leaned against Amy's shoulder as the
latter slowly untwisted the note and
spread it out so that it could be read
1t ran thus:
Darling (here was a huge black blot that
obliterated the name)-There is something
i must tell you before | go. Will you not
be reading in the library a half hour be-
fore dinner? Devotedly. LANG.
''Oh, oh. ohr' cried Amy Lindsay
as the meaning of the note dawned
upon her. She crumpIod it in her
hand and stared eXcitedly into Lena's
red face. What have done:"
"Only read my note, dear" said
Lena in silky voice. and her slim
fingers drew the paper from Amys
hand and tucked it into the bosom
of her gown. Il forgive you. Amy.
but don't let us talk about it. It's
dead secret. you know She shook
her finger archly at her doubtful
hostess
Lena's face was sparkling with ey-
citement and triumph as she gently
pushed Amy from the hall. "I.eav'
that to me. Amy" she advised. with
a ripping laugh. BY by. Felicia.
she sang over her shoulder AT the dar
haired girl sewing quietly by the fire.
"Goodby." smiled Felicia. quite in
different to the little scene about the
note Nora had found.
As she w0ve delicate stitches in the
fine linon collar she was embroiderin@
her thoughts few to that early mora
ing walk in the wintry garden She
had stolen out all alone to drink in the
fresh cold air. to watch the bluejayS
quarreling among the leafiess trees. to
find beauty in every frost blighted
IL. O., .I,r L., hot