The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-01


and, rushing to the sofa. she removed
the shawls and a white furry cloak
and a white cashmere cloak and
white hood. and, behold. a wonderful
little baby. pink and white and CUR
Cling.
MY high chair is In the garrett" said
Dick. and away he went to the top OF
the house to bring down the polished
maple chair. which he placed in a sun
ny window near the blooming gerani-
ums and the singing canary. There
son." he said as the baby was strap
ped safely in.
Dick faced his wife. Rose. let's get
Thanksgiving dinner ready for ia
Their and mother. Then when they see
little Asa, why. they can't help being
thankful, eh?"
"Of course, notv agreed Rose.
'Dick, where does your mother keep
her aprons?"
I'm the middle drawer in the pantry
dresser" cried Dick In a fash, and
they laughed together at his accuracy.
"I'm going out to kill something for
dinner-chicken. turkey. duck or
goose" threatened Dick.
Rose. investigating pantry and Gel
lar shelves. discovered a jar Of mince-
meat and pots of pickles and pre-
serves.
! "Oh. hope she won't mind very
much" she encouraged herself as she
few about the kitchen. deity rolling
pie crust and filing the pies with
mincemeat. Il suppose they hate me,
but perhaps they will learn to love me
for baby's sake. he's such darling"
BY and by Dick came in with a
young hen turkey. all dressed for roast
ing.
you set the table. Dick" ordered
J 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 a glass dish of crimson or am
Der jelly. In the center Of the table
was a vase Of orange tinted chrysan-
themums from the front yard
"Dick, 1t looks lovelyv' exclaimed
Rose as she came into room rolling
down her sleeves. "And here they
come! Dick, / am so frightened after
allv'
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 thes
crossed the yard toward the house q
J few flakes Of snow fiuttered down.
Sarah Chandler clutched her hus
bands arm
ASA" she gasped, "Pm afraid!
saw something that looked like {
baby's hand at the Window
Nonsense. Sarahv' protested Asa
supporting her with his wiry arm. T.
himself he was thinking that 1t woul'
have been better If he had tried +
persuade Sarah to forgive the boy In
stead of UNFOLDING her IN her resent
I ment of Dicks marriage. "She'
breaking her heart over him." he mur
INJURED as they went up on the porch.
| Before Asa could unlock the door l
swung inward, and Dick stood there
I their boy Dick-with such an anxious
look in his brave eyes, and behind Dicl
| was a very beautiful woman witt
grave, brown eyes and a smile trem
bling on her lips, and in the woman
arms was baby
"Dickr' cried his mother and fel
into his arms.
Asa smiled at his son and held out
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.
81 hope you will forgive me- Mrs
ShdHuleI, sue pledueu, lhC L DdF'
cooked dinner, and l thought
II killed turkey" broke in Dick
. "and Rose is the next best cook in tn,
world to mother, and she has roasted
it. and I guess dinners pretty neal
ready. folks! Perhaps mother will
take care Of little Asa while hell
Rose put on the vegetables. and mayb,
father has some apples and nuts ant
cider I'm the cellar.'
Fifteen minutes later Rose and Dicl
peeped into the dining room. Asf
. Chandler had forgotten all about tn,
cider and apples and he was sitting OF
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 shinine
eyes. they have forgiven us. The,