Two Thanksgivings

CHAPTEB I. Betrothed ? Yes. Folks looked and wondered a little ; but then folks would gossip about everything. There was no stopping their tongues, and Lilian Travis had'nt the least notion of plaoing a restraint upon her lover, simply because she was "engaged to him. "" That mighfc be possible for some natures, but to hers never. True, on several occasions she did experience a singular sinking at the heart when, coming suddenly upon her promised husband and the bewitching Ida Harris, she found them in a cosy tete-atate, Ida, at leat, impatient of interruption. Did she show her annoyance ? Not even by the sign so unfailing, a change of color. Her very blood was held in check by an indomitable will, 9 pride so superior to ordinary attacks upon it as to be in the largest sense exceptional. Farmer Travis was a rich and prosperous farmer, with more land than he knew what to do with. His wife had gone home many yearsbefore, and Lilian was his only child, and aa thoroughly idolized as ever feil to the lot of only child to be. It was with a sorrow too deep for words that he finally gave his consent to his daughter's union with Archibald Glenburn. Not that he had any objection totheyounggentleman; on the contrary, he was profoundly sensible of and grateful for the admirable qualities of his prospectivo son-inlaw. The marriage was proper enough, if he could only have kept his child at home. This would be, of course, impossible. Mr. Glenburn was a rising lawyer, and his clients in New York city were a f uil day's journey from the farm. The day bef ore Thanksgiving ! Cold and biustering outeide, but in the great, roomy country-house it was all warmth and cheeriness. The presiding genius had touched and retouched everythiug from top to bottom, from the cake and pies in the kitchen to the hangingbaskets and special adornments of the sitting-room and parlor. The piano was open, and his favorite music ready on the rack, for the lover was hourly expected. As she arranges her abundant dark hair, and puts the finishing touches to the lace on her neck, let us see if we can analyze her thoughts. They are not altogether happy. In the midst of all human joys a flavor of bitterness arises from bèneath. And what was hers? Gossips had been busy, as a matter of course, when her engagement was known, and it was said, so openly that it had even reachod her ears, that during the past summer her cousin, the gay, heartlrss, but showy Ida Harris had done all in her power to win Archibald's ove. And gossip said that she had succeeded ! Was it really so ? Lilian started to find herself insensibly recalling little incidente of her cousin's visit, which had not been in the least to that person's credit. The farmer had gone to the depot. " It is too cold, cbild, for you to go," he said, as Lilián made ready to company him. " The wind is as keen as a razor, and it's au uphill journev anyhow." "Very well," she replied, plaoidly. Not even to her father could Lilian Travis show her great anxiety to meet her intended husband. So the birds had more seed, the tidies an extra pull, and the pictures auother dusting. The new pieces were every one tried, and at last came the farmer's hearty "Whoa!" Lilian's iieart beat quickly, but sho made no motion to stir. What was that ? - a woman's voice. Lilian's heart almost stopped now "Wherein the world isLü? Here Archie, take my bag ! Mercy ! my arros are almost broken, and my hands are lust like sticks. " The aitting-room door opens .,, bang, and the "sticks" ' T"11 a about the neck of the -ia "1Blt way hostess. Archibai ? elf-pOsseBsed with ■ bl-ings up the rear and waV" -S ttmbrella overshoes -.f roof. jtaii wbnders if she is always to be bitterly disappoilited, but she i-ehiins her couoiia's unusual caress, and smilihgly ölters to unload her lover, whüm ehe thinks she never saw lbokmg quite so handsome and quite so awkward sicce she has had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Whöre is the tendemess of that welcome she has so delightedly anticipated ? To be sure, Archie draws her to him and kisses her forehead silently. She feels sure he is just as glad to see her as she is to see him, but of course aobody can act naturally when Ida is around. " I hadn't the remotest idea of ing," Ida ïattledon; "but when Mr. Glenburn Was to Our llonse about a week ago, and I fotmd he had decided to come, I wanted to come with him, oh, so much ! Mercy ! am I not a perfect fright?" and the fair speaker brushed back the golden curls and pursed up her rosy lips till Lilian was fain to admit that she looked more kissable than ever. So Archie visited at the Harrises. She supposed he must cali occasionally, but not an intimation of it had Bho received from him.' ' I don't meau to go ttp-stairs until I get completely thawed out. But, as I was saying, when I found Mr. Glenburn had really made up his mind to come - " Lilian wondered if the old adversary was really trying to make her jealous. So there had been a doubt about the gentleman's spending Thanksgiving with her ? This was news also. " I determined that I would come. I had to forego two porties to do it, Lilian ; but I had rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world. So I told him I'd let him know the next time he called ; and here we are. It is ever so much nicej1 coming down with some body ! Why, the journey didn't seem ten miles long - did it, Mr. Glenburn?" "It never seems long to me," replied Archie, with a knowing glance in Lilian's direction that told wonderfully, but not outwardly. There might have been a trifle more warmth in her marmer toward her cousin, but this was the only perceptible effect. Ida must have been very entertaining all through the rest of that day and evening, for both Archie and the farmer were constantly testifying to her power over them by the heartiest laughter and the merriest rejoinders. Ten o'clock, and not one moment yet alone with her lover. Ida was sleepy and Archie fatigued. His handsome hesd pressed the sofaeushion, and his yawns, though politely repressed, were quite sufficient to justify the hostess in suggesting bed-time. " Oh, meroy, yes !" gaped Ida. "I . am just fagged out." "Andwhowould have thought it?" remarked the farmer, in surprise. " It is 10 o'clock, upon my word I" It had been an interminable evening to Lilian. She had played and sung, and Archie had turned her leaves, it is true, and sometimeshis hand had strayed to ij er shoulder, and lovingly lingered there, just as it always did when they were alone. It was provoking1, though, to think that every on e of these little heart-comforts had been offset by some coquettish trick of Ida's. "Did you ever see mieh fine hair, Lil ?" she had asked, her little hand among the luxuriant dark rings which adorned the young gentleman's head. "Say, Lil, lend me your back-comb, and let's see how he looks with his hair parted in the middle ; never inind, I'll take a hair-pin," and Lilian forced herself to laugh, as the giddy girl, her taak completed, pulled her victim to a sitting posture, to mark the effect. " I hope you are not going to ring us out at 6 o'clock, if to-morrow is Thanksgiving," continued Ida, lingering a moment at the foot of the stairs to bid the fermer good-night. "Breakfast at 8," replied Li'ian, pleasantly. " And you necd not riso then unless you are quite ready." "Oh, mercy, I always get up to breakfast. Don't you, Mr. Glenburn? Good-night, and pleasant dreams. Good-night, Lil. Dear me ! I believe I shall fall asleep before I can undrees myself." Archie lingered at his door, lamp in band. " Good-night, my darling," he whispered, tenderly, as Lilian returned. " Good-night," and Lilian's dark eyes sought her lover's face. " Oan we not have a few moments t& ourselves now?" he laughingly asked, pointing to the stairs. " Do you mean to go down again 1" she inquired, her eyes so full of light that Archie playfully put her away, declariming that they dazzled him. " Oome on," he answered, leading the way. " Was there ever suchamarplot as yourcousin?" he asked, as they sat together before the fire. "I did every - thing but teil her a f alsehood about my coming. If she had had a partióle of sense she would have seen that I didn't want her ; but never mind, Lillie dear, she cannot always spoil our courting." So it was all explained, and there was no need of asking a single question. How perfect was the harmony now ! A thousand times more perfect f or the temporary discord. Five minutes of unalloyed happiness. Archie was in an explanatory mood, and was just going to teil of his calis upon Miss Ida, when their delicious tete-a-tete was rudely broken in upon by an unearthly scream from the second fïoor. "Lillie! Lillie! Whore are you! Uncle Travis ! Somebody come here quickly ! There is a burglar in the clothes-press ! Oh, whero is overybody?" "Go away with your nonseuse," Lilian heard her father say from the foot of the stairs where she stood, her lover's arm tight about her waist. " It is a mouse, I suppose, Ida. Lillie, where are you ? Oome and see what your cousin has got stowed away in her clothes-press. " t "Confound that girl's foolishness!" muttered Archie. "I believo it ís a]l done on purpose." "Don't go there, I beseecli of you!" slmeked Ida, as Lilian approached the closet, and threw wide the door " Oh mercy! I am petrified with fear," as ír?v eLty elQiiies-press was disclosed. Won t leave me, pray don 't, Lillie. I ía} Te a flt if yu do-1 know I süaü. Go and get your nightdress aud sleep with me. TH stand right here in the doorway till vou come back." A smothered caress at the door of Archie a chamber, and the lovers separated for the üight. For the night? liet us see. Lman was up bright and early the next taorniilg. Many duties were hers to perform, and, in true housewife fashion, she commenced in season. Her heart was lightened of its heavy load, and as she flitted f rom kitchen to diningrooin, from éloset fco cupboard, the old cook thoueht she had neter seeh her look half so hardsomé. Thanksgiving ! "Wnat a delightful morning it was ! The elouds had blown themselves away, and the sky wa that of a September day. The hostler; as he warmed his fingers before the kitchen fire, declared it was "uncommon raw," bnt this Lilian, looking out upon the pure blue of the heavens, her cheeks glowing with exercise, could hardly credit. The breakfast bell rang out merrily. Lilian had made the coffee, and waa now busy ia the dairy skimming a pan of last night's milk. Her silver pitcher is full, and blithely she trips to the dining-room, anxious to have everythihg ready before her guests airive. Her slippered feet make no noise as they cross the thickly-carpeted hall. The door opeñs very softly. The dining-room is jtast off the large sitting-roora, and right opposite the open door of the last is an immense mirror. Pitcher in hand, Lilian stands lifce one stunned. Bending low over the little figure of her cousin is her affianced husband. Ida's arms are clasped about his neck in passionate ombraeej and the low tones of her cotnpanion strike the ktip.ll of all Lilian's hopes. Once more the breakfast bell sounds out loud and clear, and the guests advanco to the dining-room. Lilian is already at her place by the coffee-urn. Her lip curls haughtily as Archie, with a very red face, makes his appearance from the hall door and Ida from the sitting-room. " Oontemptible subterfuge ! " sbe keeps saying to herself. An hour later, the old cook presents each of the guests with a note. They both teil the same story. " Mr. Glenburn, " her lover's eaid, "Ihave left the house to give yoil time to leave it. I shall return in two hours, and expect to flnd myself alone. Liman Travis." Farmer Travis and his daughter ha no company at their Thanksgiving dia ner-table. "I never was so surprised in mylife, said the farmer, in evident perpiexity. " as I was when I got back from th Marsh and found the folks gone. Win on eartli does it mean ? " There was not a quiver in Lilian voice as she answered : "It means this, father, that the gossips were right when they declared that Archibald Glenburn was in love with Ida instead of me. It means that our engagement is over, and - and " - it was hard work to keep the tears back now - " it means that I am your daughter and housekeeper forever, and that I will uever believe another man when he tells me he loves me. Now let us drop the 3ubject for all time. " Farmer Travis was not a profane man, but this is his literal answer, as he veyed his daughter's beautif ul face and straightened himself in his chair : " I suppose you have seen something, or heard something, that oonvinces you. But I'm - I'm - I'll be teetotall smutched if Jbelieve it." CHAPTER II. Ten years had pa? sed - yeárs of strange and valuable discipline for the farmer's daughter. Archibald Glenburn did marry Ida Harria, just as she had expeeied. Neither one of them had Lilian ever seen since, and very little had she heard oi them. They had made two or three trips to Europe- so gossip bad reported - and some children had been born to them; how many Lilian did not know. A ring of dark hair was hidden away among Lilian's sacred relies. Strange that she could never bring herself to destr#y it. " It is the only link that binds me to the past," she had said many times, as her fingers fluttered over the silken wrapping. "Iwiil let it remain; perhaps it will keep me from making a fool of myself in the future. " Lilian's home was now in New York. Farmer Travis had siekened and died. His illness had been a long and painful one, and at his death Lilian, who could not endure the pressure of old associations, determined to lease the farm. Her fortune was ampie, and her desire for intellectual improvement the only stimulant that made life endurable. So she bought herself an elegant little home in the city, and then went to work in good earnest. " Every woman determined to be an old maid should be sure that she makes for herself a position where she can be of as much use as in the capacity of wife and mother," Lilian reasoned; and, full of this idea, she became an earnest medical student. Twentyeight, and a gradúate with a diploma, a fair practice and a host of students ! Truly, Lilian, you havo made good use of your time. There is very little difference in the girl of 18 and the woman of 28, af ter all; if anything, she has gained in beauty. The earnestness of her life has impressed itself upon her face, and the result is a sweet nobility of expression, a tender sympathy of manner, impossible to a life oi' idleness. She feels that she has been richly blessed in her ability to bless others; bul - but ! Ah, these womanly ifs and buts ! how they penétrate to the depths of the heart, disclosing aU its hidden secrets ! Lilian has kept this love-chamber of hers pretty well locked; but sometimes the fastening slips, and, to teil the truth, it is always opened widest by this tiny ring of dark hair. Another Thanksgiving morning ! Lilian's little maid wondere d what was the matter with her mistress. "Have your breakfasts," sho had said, in answer to a timid knock upon the door. ' ' I shall not rise y et. I want nothing but a cup of coffee, and that I will take by-andby." Eight o'clock ! Why must she go over that heart breaking time ? Just this hour, ten years ago, she started for the dairy to skim the milk for Archie's breakfast ; just this time she returned, pitcher 111 hand, to see in that hateful mirror the picture that has nuver leffc her memorya moment since. She shall feel better, she is suro she shall, when Archie and Ida have left the house ; for they are just as present with her now as thoy were on that dreadf ui Thanksgiving all those years ago. TMs is nothing now ; she has lived it over every year, and now she is more inconsolable than ever. Who would ever suspect the presenco of this ghastiy intruder in the life of this beautiful and talented woman ? Not a person in the whole world, for the same pride that dug the grave has covered it up, and there is nothing left to mark the spot save the tiny ring of dark hair hidden away in the upper drawer. This time the maid's knock is a little more decided. " One of the stoojents for you, miss, and says can you see him right away ?" "A buaifless woman hasn't even time to bury her dead," she murmured, commencing hef toilet. Conscience inquired how many times this body of her sorrow had been consigned to the dust, and how of ten resurrêcted. " Yes, I know it has had a good maDy funerals," she answered, softly; to herself; " but a woman who cannot weep for her dead must do soinething." It was a very bright and earnest face that greeted the young gentleman waiting for her in the parlor. " It is too bad, doctor," he apologized, " to trouble you on Thanksgiving day, but I have been through the wards this morning, and I find that two or three of the last patients are much worse, and you are wanted for consultation. Shall I say that you will be there 1" " Oertainly," was the prompt answer. " Have a cup of coffee with me, and we will go down together." Surely this was no love-siok woman so learnedly conversing with her visitor. Beauty and accomplishments at 18! Beauty perfected by intellect at 28. " The most self-possessed woman in the college," had been the verdict of the professors, as Lilian had steadily pursued her studies. And now, as the young man listened to the words of wisdom from his fair companion, he fonnd himself constantly wondering at the amount of solid information she had ootained. It was very foolish - how Lilian did despise herself for it - but with the utmost effort she could not take herself out of that Thanksgiving day ten years ago. As she listened to the low murmur of the doctor's voice as he explained to her this and that symptom of the sufferers around them, her right hand still clasped the handle of the silver pitcher, and over and over again she was forced to look upon the picture whieñ the mirror in the old farm-house had sliown her. " This is a new one," said the physician, stopping before one oí the lastcots. "She was brought in last night in an insensible condition, and hasn't rallied in the least." Lilian's heart always went out with unutterable longing to sufferers of her own sex, and this woman's forlorn conditiou touched her deeply. " Intoxicated when she feil, I am quite sure," continued the doctor, as Lilian examined the patiënt. ' ' Intoxicated, " repeated Lilian ; ' ' and, doctor, she is evidently from the higher classes." And then she stepped to the foot of the bed, strangely enough wishing to get a better idea of the paUicl features. "Yes," replied the professor; "but you ought to kcow by this time that that makes no difference." "Do you know, doctor, wherel could find this woman's clothes?" inquired Lilian, in so solemn a voice that the professor looked at her in surprise. "Uertamly - yes, he answered. " The contenta of her pocket are in the office." Lilian had lifted the head, and stood gazing into the dying woman's face with an eagerness which testified to previous acquaintance. "Have you any knowledge of this woman?" continued the professor. "If you think you have, I will bring you the articles I had put away. I believe her relatives have already been sent f or. " Lilian's self-possession was hardly proof against the information which the gentleman returned with. This was the first thmg that met her eyes: Ida - For the love oí God, if you have none for tho only child you have lef t, return to your bome. For liia sake I will forgive everything, and thia you know full well. I have tracked yuu to yo„ ir present infamous quarters. Write or tele rah me where the coadunan may tako you up lor, of course, I cannot send him there. Archibald. The noxt letter bore the date of a week back : VVillie 'wi'B buried yesterday. I did mv best to find you in time to look once inora upoñ his precioiiB Daby-face. Oh, Ida, our laat darling has gone, and his mother was not near him ! May God forgive you for all the misery you have caueed me. A. G. ' On the envelope was written, in Ida's hand, " Dead, and I did it." Another examination disolosed a still later note, begging the wretched woman to return to her home and husband. "I knew you never loved me," it said, "but I can be so much kinder to you than the wicked world you have so recklessly thrown yourself into. The doctor has ordered me abroad, and I feel that it is about my only chance for Ufe. Come home, and go with me !" The remainder of the letter Lilian could not read for her tears. The nobility of the husband and father stood confessed. It was by no fault, nor neglect of his that this wretched woman had come to such an end, for surely her Ufe was fast ebbing away. Lilian removed her things, and announced her intention of remaining until all was over. "Could it be possible ?" she asked herself, with quivering lip, "that this disfigured creature, this bloated, bruised mass of dying humanity, could be her once beautiful and gifted cousin, Ida Harria V' Yes, there was the same golden, curly hair, the same beautiful hands, but only by them was the poor woman recognizable. An hour after she breathed her last. Lilian had tho body taken to her own home, and prepared for burial. Thanksgiving evening Lilian sat by the flro in her cheerful sittingroom, her heai bowed upon her hands, the destróyer of her happiness dead in the next apartment. No tidings had yet been received from the husband, and Lilian foared he had left the city, if not the country. Her licaitwent out toward him ia iinutterable sympatby. " Great heavens ! what must he not have suffered ?" she moaned, as she saw again in her imagination the disñgured countenance of the woman who had once been his wife. A ring of the bell. "This way, if you please, sir," Lilian leard tho servant say, and then a slow, 'eeble step approach Üie door. His stop, but how altered ! Summoning all her resolution, the brave woman stepped forward to meet her visitor. He did not look up at flrst, and she found ampie time to note the change which had taken place in the sorrowstrioken man. "Archibald !" she said, extending both her hands in warmest welcome. Not a word esoaped from the sufferer's lips. A smile of joy for one brief moment lit up the pale features. Mechanically he grasped her outstretohed hands, his eyes riveted upon her face, then, with a groan, feil back upon a chair, insensible. Weeks passed, and neither streDgth nor reason returned. Ida was carried to her last resting place, Archibald all unconscious of the ceremony. Surely no invalid ever had such skillful and tender nursing as this one. " Where is - where is she?" were the first words of the sick man to his faithful attendant. " Have no fearsj Archie," Lilian answered, leaning over him. "Ida is at rest." "ThankGod!" he replied, heartily. " And is this Lilian ? Am I dreaming, or am I crazed ? Why, you are - you certainly are Lilian ?" " Yes, Archie," she smiled ; "I am the same oíd Lilian ; and the greatest happiness of all my life has been this of nursing you back to life. Now you must be quiet, for I am your physician as well as nurse." And, as true as you live, she stooped over and closed both of his eyes with a kiss. Did she marry him ? Of course she did ; and she found, too, that her father's impressions had been correct. The embrace that Thanksgiving morning was all Ida's, and the beseeching quality she had heard in her lover's voice was a desperate endeavor to bring the foolish girl to reason. So, summarily dismissed, the young man decided that Lilian did not care for him, and thus Ida's efforts were crowned with success. Yes, they were married ; and they didn't wait a great while, eilher. Would you, if you had been in their places ?