Milford chronicle., 1913-11-21

ne remarked DumOrOuSly.
"Oh. were all neighbors out here,
you know" Milly explained cordially.
My husband would be very glad to
have you with us. We are from the
east. and were used to having com
pany for Thanksgiving"
"Your husband is a prospector, too, l
take it?"
"Oh. no. He came out here for his
health two years ago. when he was all
run down with overwork. We expect
to stay here until he's quite we'll"
I'VE didn't notice any houses as we
passed along. Where do you iveP
Two miles below here on the Sun
rise road. not on the trail. viii you
come over tomorrow
well, being as you're so kind as to
take the trouble to invite US. wen be
glad to accept your hospitality and
thank you"
VERY well shall expect you
promptly at 10. There are eight of
you. aren't there? want you all, re
member. Now I'll go, for the walk
is rather long You cross the hill and
90 straight south till you reach the
Sunrise wagon road. which will take
you directly to our shack, going west.
Good night"
Mtlly returned in great good spirits.
Jim looked dubious at first. but he was
loath to dampen the ardor of his good
little helpmeet by voicing his doubts
81. /,F afor1f
strangers to their home.
81 hope we have enough stuff on
hand" said cautious Jim. 1T will take
heaps to satisfy eight hungry men. you
know"
"Of course we have plenty Wen
kill both turkeys. and I'll make four
pies instead Of one and two boiled pud-
dings besides Wen have potatoes and
turnips and the canned corn l put up
myself and as much cider as they can
drink. For dessert we'll have real good
coffee and iced cake Oh. well have
enough. you may be sure. Jim. you
must rig up a table big enough to seat
them all"
uG9 MOi NNAl Alll bfuAAAAlN AAAtAA AAAsshAs
peeling apples. seeding raisins and
picking the turkeys The next morn
ing Milly rose long before dawn and
set about her baking and brewing.
while Jim put up big deal table that
stretched almost the length of the
room. and by noon it was set with all
the luscious viands of an eastern
THANKSGIVING dinner. set with homely
platterS and dishes. to be sure. but not
rougher i'm appearance than the men
who finally seated themselves about
the steaming board Jim beamed hos
pitably from his place at the head Of
the table and tried dutifully TO "act
as If the company belonged there" as
Milly had said The big. black whisk-
cred fellow whom the others addressed |
as Blaisedale watched Milly with a
curious intentness which made her un-
comfortable
you're mighty comfortably fixed for
these diggings." said he presently, look
ing about the walls with their homely |
prints and ornaments.
'Yes. we are rather comfortable,
thanks to Milly's ingenuity" Jim an
swered, with a glow Of ahectionate
pride.
you're lucky to be able to afford
such luxuries, for all those fancy fix
ings are Injuries in Colorado" Blaise-
dale remarked significantly.
"Yes. / count myself one of the luck
lest men in the world owe every
thing to Milly. even my life ] was a
poor law student when we were mar
ried. and when my health broke down
she simply took all responsibility into
her own hands. It was her money that
enabled me to come here. It's her bit
IF money that we're living on now All
that she has in the world is in the lit
lie bank at Sunrise, where she goes
1nce a month to draw the necessary
sum for our provisions But now that
rye got to work we're making our
way along without much help from the
lank. ! tell you l hated to use that
money bad enough. but If 1t hadn't
leen for that the Lord only knows
What would have become of me-"
Milly bluShed deeply and becomingly
why. it doesn't amount to that" said
he. with snap of her brown fingers
All the money in the world would be
to me If ! didn't have Jim"
ave heard a saying about "A good
wife being a treasure Blaisedale re-
marked "Your wife proves the truth
f it."
The dinner was great success
who seemed to exert a mys-
arious influence over his fellows. grew
cry talkative and entertaining He
I'D stories Of queer places and queerer
eope, which savored of familiarity
18th Iawlessness and lawbreakers. but
'hich kept Jim breathlessly interested
ntll the eight strange guests made
leir adieus. Blaisedale. who was last
go. turned to the threshold and held
It his hand to Milly.
''You remind me Of some one once
new." he said simply. "and for her
Ike I'd like to shake hands with you
hank you for your hospitality. You