Evening star., 1926-11-18

was one of the finest women Vera
knew, and the proudest. Not for the
world must she guess that one % The
was too poor to provide the pronn1sed
Thanksgiving treat ,'
As usual, Vera had eaten her dinner
downtown before going back 70 her
little uptown apartment. which heA 10
kitchenette, only q gas plate IN the
bathroom, and from the 0verheaed
snatches of talk al she sped anfoss
the city 1t seemed to Vera that svcTy
ono in the car was either having or
going to a Thanksgiving dinner the
next day. 81.
A sharp-edged lump rose In her
throat; her eyes stung with unshed
tears.
Not for a moment did she wish heI
self back in her home small town She
was too ambitious to be willing to
stagnate in a place with no opportuni
ties for Advancement, but
The but" meant the thought or
her first Thanksgiving away from
home. and the bitter-sweet memory Of
the big family reunions that as far
back as she could remember they had
always had at her Grandfather Blake
farm. And such a wonderful Thanks
giving dinner! 80 Such a wonder
full Thanksgiving turkey
It was absurd. but as she got ou'
OF the car, all Vera'S homesickness
seemed to concentrate in a desperate
longing for Thanksgiving turkey. A
beautiful golden brown turkey served
whole on a platter. Not restaurant
kitchen!
The outer halls Of the apartment
house where Vera lived were brightly
lighted. but the narrow passage lead
ing to her own little apartment was g
dusky pocket.
turned up 1t. she suddenly ran againsf
object outside her door.
What could it be?
Vera clicked on the light and tugged
1t in.
1t had come by parcel post. Was
heavy as lead. Excitedly she opened il
For the love of Mike" she ex
claimed.
And laughing until the tears came
she gathered up out Of the pasteboard
Coz i1er one Of the biggest, plump
est. flnest Thanksgiving turkeys ever
seen.
1T 'peared to me Thanks, iving
wouldn't be Thanksgiving" she read
in her Grandfather Blake's penciled
scrawl from a card tied around fits
neck, unless you had a genuine
Thanksgiving turkey from the farm. ="
Bless his dear heart, he knew exact
ly how she felt! But what was she
going to do with 1t? Even II she had
1t roasted at caterers, how could
she possibly eat it?
A sudden light leaped into Vera s
eyes. She had an inspiration.
In the whirl of excitement she dived
into her closet and produced the
largest suit case.
Half an hour later the door bell Of
a shabby little house tucked away in
a shabby little side street rang Justify
With slow steps Sally Harris. who
had been putting the tired-out children
to bed, went to answer 1t.
The disastrous expedition in search
Of the Thanksgiving turkey had been
the last straw to break the courage
Of the brave little mother. who had
gallantly faced SO many hard things
during the year since her husband s
death. and she was thoroughly dis
heartened.
why, Vera Richards" she ex.
claimed, in astonishment, as on open
ing the door, a glowing young woman,
suit case in hand. briskly entered.
Don't be alarmed" laughed Vera
II haven't been evicted! And. al
though appearances are against me,
haven't arrived, bag and baggage, to
spend the night. But I've come to
ask if you'll do me big favor"
"Why. OF course, anything in my
power" Sallie assured her. ''But
what has happened?"
You could never guess, A Thanks
giving turkey has been wished on me.
Me, who lives by my lonesome and
has only a gas-plate to cook on! Can
you beat it?''
Vera's laughter was so contagious
that in spite of herself Sallie Harris
Joined in the gale of merriment.
It's from Grandfather Blake's
farm. A magnificent bird! And you're
the only one OF my city friends who
has an honest-to goodness cook stove
with an oven. It's a shame to put
you to so much trouble" she went on.
STOPPING to open the suit case. but If
you would cook It and invite me to
Thanksgiving dinner, I'll love you for
ever"
Don't talk of trouble" cried the
unsuspecting Sallie. a Thanksgiving
OF her own singing in her heart at
the thought Of the glorious surprise
In store for the children. II think
cooking a Thanksgiving turkey Is the
greatest fun and I'll be so glad to
have you with us to dinner tomorrow
I've so long wanted you to see my
two dear kiddies.''
(The End)
(Copyright. 1926)