The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-27

the window. where she caught Z
elimpse OF young man in = white
coat dispensfng Ice cream soda to =
thought Il was sam Thorne himself
until she reco1lected that sam must
be stout and rather bald by this time.
&aer cheeks were burning ~ she
nastened ON with this old memory
Ihanksg1vtng Wa In the air. House
moeherD were marketing with ample
baskets ON their arms and there was
general air Of festivity.
Druailla'o Aunt LucettA Mills lived
IN 2 little white house beyond the
schoolhouse and DrusiIla's old home
had been . few hundred yards further
on.
She turned in At tho little white
gate which seemed smaller than ever
sion a. Sho noted that the house was
dark.
Her repeated knocks 1t the side
door brought q neighbor from IN adj
joining house.
'Lucetty Mills has gone over to
Rockbrook to her dauHhter's,'' said
the woman peering curiously at the
dark form ON tho porch. WHO be 1t ?''
Thank you." said Drusilla stiffly.
and she waited until the woman had
gone back into her own house before
Her heart beat rebelliously as she
realized that there was only ono
thing to do now. That was to 60 to
the hotel and stay until Aunt Lucetta
came home.
She would have to spend Thanks
giving alone after all. It was moro
bitter to spend it here In Laurelton.
which had witnessed % many happy
gatherings. than 1t would have been
in the city.
stared at the Transformation that had
taken place in the old house. The
outlines were the same but some skill
full hand had rebuilt, preserved, and
improved until the house looked az it
must have looked that day when Dru-
silla's father brought her mother
there q bride.
Drusilla wondered who had bought
the old place-Aunt Lucetta had never
told her in those gossipy monthly let
tiers. Drusflla had had an Uniformed
plan In her. mind Of buying back the
old home and living there-doing
dressmaking or millinery.
She bowed her head on the gate
post and listened to the wind blowing
through the trees, with hopeless long
lessly. one parted with happiness!
Drusilla never heard q step ON the
path nor a voice that addressed her
in concerned inquiry.
It was not until firm hands lifted
her head and turned her face to the
searching light OF the full moon that
Drusilla cried out sharply and drew
back.
'sWho IL it?'' asked a voice that
was vaguely familiar.
Drusilla's head dropped YEARLY.
She was very tired and she did not
care IL folks did hear that she had
been found staring wistfully at her
old home.
II am Drusilla Orde-I used to live
here" she said.
"Drusiiia? mol" The man strobe
| forward.
"Drusilla- don't you know me?" he
''Its-it's Sam Thorne." said Dru-
sflla family. What are you doing
here?"
IT live here-I bought the old
place, Drusilla-I had q silly notion
that you might come home some day.
and II you did I wanted you to find
the old place and me waiting for you.
OF course I knew you might get mar
ried-" he hesitated.
Drusilla laughed softly-such q
happy laugh.
'There isn't q chance Of my getting
married. Sam. unless you ask me-" she
said bravely.
do you mean it. Drusilla ?" he de-
manded eagerly. I've been waiting
all these years-and it's been hard
and If you do mean It. dear. we can
go over to the minister's and be mar
ried tonight. You can spend Thanks
giving in your own home"
Let US go. Sam-to the minister's."
the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)