Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-06-07

! sNeetfneatS Win WHICH tney were WORT %
regale their minds.
In the meantime Tom is soliloquizing
mentally. He is growing restive and longs
to speak to Lucy Ware. But he wonders
how she will receive him-whether his good
fortune will make him more attractive to
| her. And if it does, and if certain hopes
he has cherished are fulfilled, will it be he
that WINS her, or something else? VIII it be
a cash match or a love match? Or won't it
be any match at all, and is such speculation
idle? These were perpexing questions, and
Tom found hinlself 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 choking thrill. She was
Just as beautiful as ever, and gave him a
glance out of her liquid black eyes that
rippled up from under the long lashes like
flood of sunlight.
But in spite of the wild canter into which
| his blood was fired, he bade her goodeve-
ming, touching her gloved palm, and uttered
some commonplace remark with very praise
worthy nOnchaance.
just then a set was forming to dance, and
one couple was wanting. OF course Tom
asked Miss Ware for the honor. ETC., and
the two marched on the floor.
You will allow me to express my pleas
ure at your new advancement, will you not ?"
she asked, in a tone in which there was just
shade of tremulousness.
"Oh, certainly, if you take enough inter
est in me to feel any pleasure at it.
why of course do. always feel in
terested in those deserving of success. -
Her tone was quite frank now.
"Oh, that's it. is it2'' said Tom, little
disappointed. The sparkle in Miss Ware $
eyes dilated little.
"Well, l got it by hard work, - he said
Il went back to my greasy machine shop
that time, as you bid me-.
''W hat do you mean?'
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 go back to my
greasy machine shop if | couldn't find ii. y
Miss Ware blushed scarlet. ''Oh, do
not speak of that. 1t was very rude in me.
| supposed you had forgotten it. l was on
ly in fun. -
But [ wasn't" Toms tone was rather
stern, and Lucy looked up quickly. Il
made VOW then.
''Oh, dear! l hope l wasn't the means
Of your making VOW"
DO Won ? AID suppose you ~Oro-Ns hat
then? Is there anything so very alarming
about making vows?"
II don't know They're so very seldom
kept"
"Ah, but this one is partially fulfilled al
ready, and will be entirely some time. Only
one thing can prevent it.
Miss Lucy did not ask what that one
thing was, but grew reserved, and during
the rest Of the quadrille did not look into
Toms face with her previous unembarrass
ed freedom. The conversation had been
carried on disiointedly during the pauses in
the dancing When the last figure was fin
ished Miss Ware said:
"Oh, dear, am so tired of dancing
Let US walk in the other room and see what
the children are doing.
Her hand still rested on Toms arm, and
they made their way into another apart
ment, where merry throng of boys and
girls were partaking of the pleasures of
that old and exciting game, Button but
tom who's got the button?"
''That's a good old game, said Lucy.
"Button! button who's got the but
ton?" came in ringing tones from one of
the children.
Eve got it !" cried Tom.
NO sir; I've got it myselfi'' shouted a
merry blue eyed girl.
A little scene of confusion followed, and
then the game went on.
Lucy Ware looked up at Tom in sur
prise.
''W hat made you say that ?" she asked.
Because it's true he answered, look
ing at her with curious twitch of the eye.
Lucy looked puzzled.
'Do you want to see it %
''Yes."
He reached in his pocket and held some
thing in his hand
Why" she exclaimed in amazement,
that's mine Where did you get it? It's
the one lost
Il know it. -
She blushed vividly, and was utterly mys-
tilted, and said, please explain."
Il picked it up when you lost it that
time"
'And why didn't you give it TO me?'
Il took it TO my greasy machine shop"
please dcn't?'
Tom laughed, grew serious, and whisper
ed, Il kept it because | loved you. And
| haven't got over it yet. | made vow
TO keep that button till l worked my way
out of that greasy machine-shop, and its
owner cared enough for it to pay for its res
toration by becoming my wife,
''But my sacque has gone out of fashion
and the button will be of no use to me. And
besides, think you ought to be willing to
give more than a button for what YOU ask. -