The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-11-27

'Ol, no. he came Out LEV :.
health two years ago. when ne was al
run down with overwork. we expect
TO STAY here until he's quite well.
1--WE didn't notice any houses as we
passed along Where do you l1veE
"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 10
take the trouble to invite US. wen De
glad to accept your hospitality ana
thank you.
every we'll shall expect you
promptly at II. There are elght OF
you. aren't there? ! want you all, re
member. Now I'll 60. for the walk
ia rather long. You cross the hill ana
go straight south till you reach the
Sunrise wagon road. which will take
YOU directly to our shack, going west
Good night"
Muly returned in great good spirits
Jim looked dubious at first, but ne was
loath to dampen the ardor OF his good
little helpmeet by voicing his doupts
as to the wisdom Of inviting elght
strangers to their home.
II hope we have enough stun on
hand" said cautious Jim. ut Will take
heaps to satisfy eight hungry men. you
know"
"Of course we have plenty. Well
kill both turkeys. and I'll make -FOUR
MES 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. We'll have
enough, you may be sure. Jim. you
must rig up table big enough to seat
them ALL
They worked till bedtime that night.
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 1t was set with all
the luscious viands Of an eastern
THANKSGIVING dinner, set with homely
platters and dishes. to be sure, but not
rougher in appearance than the men
| who finally seated themselves about
| the steaming board. Jim beamed hos
| AANNAN
| 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
| curious intentness which made her IN
| comfortable.
| You're mighty comfortably fixed for
| these. dicgings." said he presently, look
ing about the walls with their homely
| prints and ornaments.
Eyes, we are rather comfortable.
| thanks to Milly's ingenuity" Jim an
swered. with glow of affectiOnate
pride.
you're lucky to be able to afford
such Iuxuries, for all those fancy fix
| ings are luxuries In Colorado" Blaise-
dale remarked significantly.
eyes. l count myself one of the luck
lest men in the world. l owe every
thing to Milly. even my life. was
poor law student when we were mar
ried, and when my health broke down
she simply took all responsibility into
her own hands 1t was her money that
enabled me to come here. It's her bit
of money that we're living on now. All
that she has in the world is In the lit
tie bank at Sunrise, where she goes
once month to draw the necessary
sum for our provisions. But now that
I've got to work we're making our
way along without much help from the
bank 1 tell you hated to use that
money bad enough. but If it hadn't
been for that the Lord only knows
80
Milly blushed deeply and becomingly
"Why, it doesn't amount to that" said
she, with snap Of her brown fingers
"All the money in the world would be
worthless to me if l didn't have Jim"
1--WE heard a saying about a good
wife being a treasure Blaisedale re-
marked ''Your wife proves the truth
of it."
The dinner was q great success
Blaisedale, who seemed to exert mys-
terious influence over his fellows, grew
very laxative and entertaining. He
told stories Of queer places and queerer
people. which savored of familiarity
with :awlessness and lawbreakers. but
: which kept Jim breathlessly interested
until the eight strange guests made
their adieus. Blaisedale who was last
to go, turned to the threshold and held
out his hand to Mily.
"You remind me Of some one l once
knew" he said simply, land for her
sake I'd like to shake hands with you.
Thank you for your hospitality. You
won't regret your Kindness
That night when Jim and Milly sat
talking beside their cheerful hearth q
scrap of white paper crept mysterious
ly under the door coping Jim rose
hurriedly and threw back the door. but
no one was in sight and not a sound
broke the deep stiffness Of the lev
e night. Milly read the note over bis
e shoulder, and this is what it said:
Some curious within prompts me to tel,
] you that 1t was our intention to break
I into and rife the little eggshell bank at
Sunrise before quitting these diggings. but
! for the cake of Milly's "bit of money. II
shall go unframed Thanking you for -
!, pleasant hour. BLAISEDAIE
- ~ + \ + s..:Sss.'s***
:: 7 THANKSGIVING. +
BY MARIAN DOUGLAS. +