The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-27
1W EVENING S1oaY
Drusflla's TIhanlksgiving.
(By Kate Geves.)

that Drusilla Orde made up her mind
to throw up her position in Hannan's
department store and go back to
Laurelton.
For fifteen years she had stood be-
hind the glove counter in the big
store and fitted gloves on all sorts and
shapes OF hands.
IT hate it; 1 hate it; hate it," she
had cried to herself for five years;
that was the last five years of her
service there, after the novelty OF be-
ing q wage Garner in q large city had
worn on. Now she detested the tiny
third floor room, which was all she
could AFFORD even after ten years
work; she hated the smell Of toast
fec was detestable when it chung
about the little space in which she
slept and ate two meals each day.
For the first five years she had been
able to send money down to her par
ents in Laurelton-a tiny sum each
week. but enough to help. Then they
had died and the place had been sold
The little money from the place was
boarded in the bank.
But now 1t was the day before
Thanksgiving and all the store clerks
had been full Of holiday plans. Many
were going to spend the day in their
homes among their own people, and
poor Drusilla grew more homesick as
the hours flew past. She had few
friends in the city and no one had
invited her to dinner.
At the lunch hour she went to the
bank and drew out almost all her
money, then she went to her little
room and packed her trunk and sent
1t to the railroad station. When she
had paid her landlady and hidden her
goodbye. she went back to the store
and gave up her position.
When the little envelope contain
ing the money due her was tucked in
her pocketbook and she was free to
say farewell to her fellow clerks and
go, q strange restlessness took posses
sion Of the little woman.
When she was on the train she
strained her eager eyes for the first
glimpse of the familiar mountain that
overshadowed Laurelton. The shabby
old coaches were familiar enough,
and the face Of the elderly conductor
who took her ticket was that Of an
old acquaintance.
How do you do, Mr.. Bemis?" she
asked. toyfully.
The conductor peered under the
edge of her black hat.
"Drusilly Orde! Good Lord, girl,
I amt seen you in years! Well" he
Drusil1a tucked her craving hair
behind her pink ears. "And you
haven't got any more manners, Dan
Bemis," she retorted.
Dan chuckled. "Your tongues as
sharp as ever. Drusilly! Well. where
You going to stop-at your Aunt Luz
cetty's?"
IT guess So" said Drusilla.
well, you going to stay a spell?''
'All winter" said Drusilla reckless
Then you must come and see us.
F1Ora'u be pleased to meet you
again." and Mr.. Bemis went on to col
lect other tickets and to enjoy neigh
borly chat with the passengers.
And to each passenger he impaired
the Information that Drusilla Orde
was in the front seat there ana that
she was going to stay in Laurelton all
winter.
So it was that when Drusilla arrived
Mt Laurelton in the early November
twilight she found many pleasant
greetings from people whom she
scarcely knew; some had been old
schoolmates who now were fathers
and mothers Of families: others were
children who had grown to manhood
Warmed by these CHEEKY greetings,
Drusilla walked on down the familiar
road that led to the village.
The air was crisp and cold and the
smell OF the pines was invigoTattng
to her lungs stifled by the close air
Of the city. A. she walked the years
seemed to fall from Drusilla until,
when she reached the village street
she was quite twenty again. In spite
Of the gray threads in her brown hair.
she passed the Methodist church.
the moving picture theatre, which