The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1916-11-13
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By CLARFSSA MACKyE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Asa Chandler looked the minister
square in the eye
I'VE will come to church as usual
Thanksgiving morning" he said grim
| ~, but we can't be expected to give
thanks for what we haven't received"
Mr.. Linton looked very grave indeed.
Il am sorry, Mr.. Chandler. but your
! heart must be full of bitterness to die
| tate rebellion after your prosperous
year. Your crops have been generous.
and you yourself told me that it has
been the best year you have ever
known"
That's all very well, but you forget
that have lost my only son." remind
| ed Asa.
The minister made an impatient ges
ture. Not lost, only estranged be-
cause you are disappointed in the girl
he married. If you only knew Rose
Lee as we know her.
Asa turned abruptly away.
Dick disappointed u.s." he said
modify. Mother and'I had planned
he was to marry Emma Hoops, his Sec
ond cousin. Emma's property adjoins
ours, and all of it would have made
grand farm for Dick some day. EN-
ma was willing, but Dick married that
pretty f1yaway thing from Preston. and
mother and just shut the door in
their faces No, sir, there won't be
any Thanksgiving in our house-just
plain everyday victuals!'
Asa trudged up the village street to
! the postofticc. where his horses were
tied.
In the comfortable white farmhouse
his wife was watching for him at the
front window. Geraniums bloomed be-
hind the white curtains, and a fire
glowed in the great square iron stove
1t was very warm and comfortable
and cozy there, but in the atmosphere
something was lacking.
Emma Hoops came over at shutdown
and found the Chambers eating sup
per. She was a small, fair woman,
several years older than Dick Chan
der and with very decided, independ-
ent manner.
'It's going to be colder, folks" she
said breezily as she accepted cupful
Of tea and cooky from Mrs. Chan
dler. Cant l persuade you to change
your minds and come and have dinner
with me tomorrow?
eve couldn't, Emma" protested Mrs.
Chandler. You know why" she add
ed significantly.
Cats foOt!' shifted Miss Hoops con-
temptuously. "You can't revenge your
self on the Lord by not observing
Thanksgiving! You can't do ity'
"Who is trying to-" demanded Asa
sternly. You're blasphemous, Emma.
It's a mockery for us to observe
Thanksgiving day, and mother and
amt going to- so Iherew
you're a pair Of obstinate old
geesew declared Emma angriy. IF
you're setting out to enjoy yourselves
being as miserable as you can, why.
go ahead! I'm going to accept Cousin
Anne's invitation to eat dinner with
them! Goodbye She hounced out of
the house and hurried home, where
she scolded her cat. cried little and
then packed basket of good things
to take with her.
Thanksgiving morning dawned gray
and cold, with streak in the north
that presaged snow.
"GOing to church, mother?" asked
Asa as he arose from the breakfast
table.
"Of course, Asa" said his wife,
whose eyes looked red with silent
weeping.
"It's kind of cold You better dress
warm" he warned as he went out to
harness horse to the buggy.
The church bells had hardly stopped
pealing before a small red automobile
ran nimbly up the road and turned
into the Chandler yard. Dick Chan
dler got out and helped his pretty wife,
who carried big bundle wrapped in
shawls.
Looks as though no one was home"
muttered Dick as they went around to
the side door.
There was no response to their rap
ping, and Dick performed a trick of
his bOyhoOd by entering the pantry
window and coming through the house
to open the door. ~ss
welcome, darling" he said cheerily
as he kissed his wife. Father and
mother have gone to church, I think.
Let me see Emma's telegram once
more"
Rose placed her bundle carefully on
the sofa and took out crumpled mes
sage which had reached them the
night before in their city home. With
a smile Dick read the characteristic
commands: