The Mount Holly news., 1916-11-28


"You set the table, Dick" ordered
his wife, looking distractingly pretty
with dab of -four on her nose "You
know how your mother used to have
everything. I'll put the turkey right
into the oven."
So Dick found one of his mothers
snowy damask cloths and laid the oval
table in the dining room, where baby
sat in the sunny window. All Of the
old fashioned lavender sprigged china
came forth, and here and there Dick
placed glass dish Of crimson or am
Der jelly. In the center of the table
was vase Of orange tinted chrysan-
themums from the front yard.
"Dick, it looks lovelyp exclaimed
Rose as she came into room rolling
down her sleeves "And here they
come! Dick, am so frightened after
allp'
Dick put his arm around her and
held her close.
Let us be patient" he urged. "They
cannot help loving you, dear"
For some reason-perhaps because
the house was lonely-Sarah Chandler
remained at the barn until her hus-
band had put up the horse. AS they
crossed the yard toward the house
few fakes of snow fluttered down.
Sarah Chandler clutched her hus-
bands arm.
"Asa,' she gasped, I'm afraid 1
saw something that looked like
baby's hand at the windowp'
Nonsense, Sarahp protested Asa,
supporting her with his wiry arm. To
himself he was thinking that it would
have been better if he had tried to
persuade Sarah to forgive the boy in
stead Of upholding her in her resent
ment Of Dicks marriage. 'She's
breaking her heart over him." he muir.
INJURED as they went up on the porch.
Before Asa could unlock the door it
swung inward, and Dick stood there
their boy Dick-with such an anxious
look in his brave eyes, and behind Dick
was a very beautiful woman with
grave, brown eyes and smile trem-
OAA1AS O1 hCl 1lpSy anu LII LILO WOludu
arms was babyl
'DickP' cried his mother and fell
into his arms.
Asa smiled at his son and held out a
strong hand to Rose and the baby.
"You are welcome" he said solemn
ly, and so they all went into the din
ing room.
Rose found her voice.
II hope you will forgive me, Mrs
Chandler" she pleaded, 'ebut 1 have
cooked a dinner, and l thought
Il killed a turkey" broke in Dick,
"and Rose is the next best cook In the
world to mother, and she has roasted
1t, and / guess dinners pretty near
ready, folks! Perhaps mother will
take care of little Asa while l help
Rose put on the vegetables, and maybe
father has some apples and nuts and
cider in the cellarp'
Fifteen minutes later Rose and Dick
peeped into the dining room. Asa
Chandler had forgotten all about the
cider and apples and he was sitting on
the sofa beside his wife, who held lit
tie Asa in her arms. The baby was
Growing Justify as his grandfather dan
gled handsome gold watch before its
wondering eyes.
"Dick," cried Rose, with shining
eyes, "they have forgiven us. They
are quite happy Seep'
( "We must thank Emma Hoops for
this" whispered Dick, and his wife
nodded sympathetically. She knew that
Emma would love the baby too. A
baby can be comfort to so many peoA
pie besides its parents.
At last the meal was ready,
Come, daughter" said Sarah Chand-
Ter as she kissed Rose and led her to
a seat
The two women watched the men as
they placed the baby in his high chair
and fussily pushed him close to his
grandfathers seat. They smiled ten
derly at each other as if to say. 1--WE
women understand these, the men of
our household"
Asa Chandler stood beside his chair
and bowed his white head.
Forgive us, Lord, our rebellion" he
whispered, and aloud he added, "For
all these, our blessings, make us truly
thankful, o Lord, and accept our hum
Bile gratitude upon this day of Thanks,
givingw