Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-30

OOSrs IL ilt HIS tkfeT-
ished are fulfilled, will it be he thai
wins her or something else? VIII it
be a cash match or love match? Or
won't it be any match at all, and il
such speculation idle? These were
perpleXing questions, and Tom found
himself unable to consider them with
that cOOlness of judgment he had re-
solved with himself to bring to bear
on the matter.
AT last Tom approached her and as
he drew near felt a choking thrill
She was just as beautiful as ever, and
gave him glance out of her liquid
black eyes that ripplcd up from under
the lo-g lashes like a flood of sun
light - t- CT
But i'm spite of the wild canter into
which his blood was fired touched her
glGved palm, and uttered some COM
mOnpiace remark with very praise
worthy nonchalance.
Just then a set was forming to dance,
and one couple was wanting. OF
course Tom asked Miss Ware for the
honor, e!c., and the two marched OH
the floor.
You will allow me to express my
pleasure at your new advancement,
will you not ?" she asked, i'm toae in
which there was just a shade of tremu-
lousness.
"0h, certainly if you take enough
interest in me to feel any pleasure ut
it,"
"Why. of course l do. 1 always
feel interested in those deserving sue
cess" Her tone was charmingly frank
now.
..Oh, that's it, is il ~ said Tom, a
little disappointed. The sparkle in
Miss Wares eyes dilated little.
We'll i got it by hard work" he
said. II went back to my greasy ma
chine-shop that time as you bid me-"
"What do you mean ?n
"Have you forgotten about it? 1t
was when you went TO New York to
visit your aunt. You lost your button
AT the depot, you know. and told me to
20 back 90 my greasy macbine-shop if
| couldn't find it,"
Miss Ware blushed scarlet. ooh,
do not speak of that. 1t was very
rude in me. / supposed you had for
gotten it. was only in fun.r
''But | wasn't" Toms tone was
idtIiSI SCclH, anu Lucy IoohCn up
quickly. 81 made VOW then"
''Oh, dear. l hope l wasn't the
means of your making vow.'
"Do you? And suppo Sc you were
what then? Is there anything so very
alarming about making VOWS"
Il dou't know. They're so very
seldom kept"
All, but this is one partially fulfilled
already, and will he entirely some
time. That is only one thing can pre-
vent it,"
Miss Lucy did not ask what the one
thing was but grew reserved, and du-
ring the rest of the quadrille did not
look into Toms face with her previ-
Gus unembarrassed freedom. The con-
versation had been carried on disjoint-
edly during the pauses in the dancing.
When the last figure was finished,
Miss Ware said:
"Oh, dear, am so tired of dancing!
Let US walk i'm the other room, and see
what the children are dOing.'
Her hand still rested on Toms arm,
and they made their way into another
apai tment where merry thrOng Of
bows and girls were partaking of the
pleasures of that old and exciting
game. Button! button! who's got
the buttOn?"
"That's good old game" said Lu-
cy, glancing at the children.
Button button who's got the but
ton ?n came in ringing tones from one
of the players.
1--WE got it ~ exclaimed Tom.
"No. sir; I've got it myselfn' shout
ed merry, bIue-eyed girl betrayed in
to letting out her secret.
A little scene of confusion followed,
and then the game went on.
Lucy Ware had looked up at Tom
in surprise. "What made you say
that?" she asked.
because it is true" he answered,
looking at her with mischievous
twitch of the eye.
Miss Lucy looked puzzled.
"Do you want to see it:'
"Yes, " she answered, with doubt
!ul look.
He reached in his pocket end held
something out in his hand.
"Why,r she exclaimed, i'm amaze
ment, that's mine! Where did you
get il? It's the one lost.
al know it,"
She blushed vividly, and was utter
ly mystified.
please explain" she snid.
"Oh, there's not much to explain.
/ picked it up when you lost it that
time"
"And why did you not give it to
me?
II preferred to keep it. i took it to
my greasy machine-shop. "
!. "Please don't" e4 f
Tom laughed, and grew Immediately
serious again. He had To screw his
courage up 10 the sticking point to. ut
ter the next words.
81 kept if because loved you!" he
whispered.
"Oh :" and Miss Lucy hid her fac,
in her hands, while her heart beat
Violently.
And | haven't got over it yet :" ht
said, boldly.
Sfhis was a very audacious remark
and Tom had to take breath after it,
Miss Ware also brealhed audibly. Blu
She tlni not spurn him with iIldigna
tiou-uo, far irom it. Tom finally
said, in voice trifle unsteady
IL made vow that mcrning, par
of which was To work my way out o
that greasy machine shop. I've done
that. The next part was To keep tn,
button until its owner cared enough
for il o-repay-to-that is, to Civ,
herself 10 me as acOndition of resiora
tion."
Miss Ware looked into his face with
sW INNING eyes, yet out of the depths
of which still swelled up a fountain o
irrepressiblc roguery.
but my sacque mas gone out o
fashion, and the button will be of nc
use To me-" she said.
Tom looked at her earnestly.
"And. besides / think you ought {,
be willing to give more than a buttoi
for what you ask. IL
Tom flushed little at this, but sud