The Washington herald., 1913-11-27
DAILY SHORT STORY

The red and green lights confronted
her like the eyes Of some dragonlike,
unpleasant memory.
Drusila had entirely forgotten Sam
Thorne-and II had been her quarrel
with Sam Thorne which had been the
cause OF her leaving Laurelton.
She hurried past the brightly lighted
doorway. but paused near the window
where she caught glimpse of youne
man in a white coat dispensing ice cream
soda to group Of laughing girls. At
first she thought II was Sam Thorne
himself until she recollected that Sam
must be stout and rather bald by this
time.
Her cheeks were burning as she hast
ened on with this old memory tugging
at her heart. The spirit of Thanksgiv-
ing was In the air. Housemothers were
marketing with ample baskets on their
arms and there was a general air OF
festivity.
DrusiTla's Aunt Lucetta Mills lived in
little white house beyond the school,
house and Drusilla's old home had been
a few hundred yards further on.
She turned in at the little white gate
which seemed smaller than ever to her
eyes and felt a sudden depression az
she noted that the house was dark
Her repeated knocks at the side door
brought a neighbor from an adjoining
house.
''Lucetty Mills has gone over to Rocky
brook 10 her daughters" said the wom-
an. peering curiously at the dark form
on the porch. "who be it?'
Thank you" said Drusilla stifrly
and she waited until the woman had
gone back into her own house before she
went away.
Her heart beat rebelliously as she
realized that there was only one thing
TO do now. That was to go to the hotel
and stay until Aunt Lucetta came home
She would have to spend Thanksgiv-
ing alone after ALL II was more bitter
to spend II here in I4aureIton, which
had witnessed so many happy gather
ings, than it would have been in the
city.
Now she was at the gate Of her old
home. She leaned against il and stared
at the transformation that had taken
place in the old house. The outlines
were the same but some skillful hand
had rebuilt. preserved, and improved
until the house looked as il must have
looked that day when Drusilla's father
brought her mother there a bride
Drusilla wondered who had bought the
old place-Aunt Lucetta had never told
her in those gossipy monthly letters.
Drusilla had had an Informed plan in
living there-doing dressmaking or milli-
merry.
She bowed her head on the gatepost and
listened to the wind blowing through the
trees, with hopeless longing in her heart
How easily, carelessIy, one parted with
happiness, Drusilla never heard a ster
on the path nor a voice that addressed
her in concerned inquiry.
1t was not until firm hands lifted her
ing light of the full moon that DrusilIa
cried out sharply and drew back
who is it?" asked a voice that was
vaguely familiar.
Drusilla's head dropped wearily. She
was very tired and she did not care il
folks did hear that she had been found.
staring wistfully at her old home.
Il am Drusilla Orde-I used to live.
here" she said.
"Drusilla? Mo- The man strode for.
ward.
"DrusiIIa, don't you know me?" he
asked tensely.
'Trs-It's Sam Thorne," said Drusilla
family. What are you doing here?"
''I live here-I bought the old place.
DrusiIla-T had silly notion that you
might come home some day. and II you.
did 1 wanted you to find the old place
and me waiting for YOU OF course I.
knew you might get married" he hest.
tated.
DrusiIla laughed softly-such a happy
laugh.
There isn't a chance OF my gettine
married, Sam. unless you ask me-" she
said bravely.
DO you mean it. DrusiIla?'' he de
manded eagerly. I've been waiting all
these years-and it's been hard-and il
you do mean II, dear, we can go over to
the ministers and be married tonight.
You can spend Thanksgiving in your Owr
home"
Let us go, Sam-to the Minister'S
said Drusilla-