Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-09-03

suppose ~ was lulS tlatm mhue mOlneI uA on
Lofty as his choice. When [ came into
the Ftting.room, found kind of cross.
examination going on It was amusing to
anybody in the secret, as I was, 20 watch
mothers artfu way Of continually bringing
the conversation round, as if by chance, to
bear on what she wanted to know. But it
all amounted to nothing, either because
Lefty was too good fencer or because she
really had nothing to botray. But, when
Tom came home, mother took care to mem
tion that Lefty had called.
What, the tonic2" said Tom. Too bad
| missed her.
But for your choice being already
made said mother, with a covert scrutiny
Of his face, "G dare say you might have
as much tonic as you liked
But 90 on the homeopathic principle,
you know" answered Tom with n twinkle
in his eye.
After that, mothers belief in Lefty
outlines waycred. Her suspicious were
transferred from one to another Of our ac.
quiutanoc, butalways with the same uusatis-
factory result.
"Itpasses my comprehension she said
to mo dcsparingly, one day | am posi-
tive | could tell the right one by Toms
face in a minute, and yet have mentioned
everybody we know
Perhaps it is somebody We don't know, -
| suggested some friend Of his we have
never seen"
"What apcrfect stranger 2' said mother,
sharply. "Neyer talk to me, child Toms
not capable of that"
| was silent, for did not want to worry
her; but that was my opinion all the same.
The same evening-it was rather more
than week since Tom had hurled that
thundorbot Of his at us-moiher began
about it openly.
when ore you going to introduce your
wife to- Tom suppose you have come
TO an understanding by this timer
Oh there's no hurry" said Tom, as he
had said before; but this time he did not
speak quite so chcerfully. "The fact is, 81
he continued, with little hesitation, there
there's q rival in the casen
"a riyal?' repeated mother, with uu-
feeling briskness.
Yes, a young fellow-youngcr by Q
good deal than | am, % and Toms face as
sumed an absurjly dolefu look. " He is
always there now | confess don't sec
my way clear I'm waiting for her to make
up her mind
"And she's waiting, most likely, for you
to make up yours forgetting, in her pro-
pensity to right matters, that She was play
ing the encmy's game.
"There's something in that that never
occurred to me, said Tom his face bright
ening Mother saw her mistake, and made
counter-move at once.
"But the ways of my time are old-fash.
ioned now young ladies, nowadays, take
matters into their own hands. If she cared
for you, you may be pretty sure she
wouldn't have waited till this time to lei
you know it--that is, Judge by the girl
| am in the habit Of seeing but if this on,
is stranger to me-" here mother riviteC
her eyes on Toms face; oh, dear, my un
fortunate wordsl "if she is an entir,
stranger, I cannot pretend to form an,
] opinion OF her, oil course.
"Of course" repeated Tom, absently.
"Not that | have any such idea,' re
sumed mother, growing warmer; &" 1 hav
said, and say again, that to bring per
feet stranger under this roof is not my opiu
ion Of you, Tom"
felt my mothers words like so man
pins and needles; for Tom was ookin
meditatiyely across at me, and though tha
was just a way Of his, it seemed now as
he were reading in my face that the opinion
was mine. and that | had been meddling il
what did not concern me. | felt myself
from very yoxation, getting redder every mo
ment, till it grew intolerable.
1T is so warm here" | said, for an ex
cuso, turning toward the French window
Il am going to get breath of air."
went out into our little strip of garden
ground; Tom followed | thought
should never have better opportunity l.
say what | had it in my mind to say, so
waited for him by the bench under the oil
pear-tree "St down here, Tom" sale
4" I've something to say to YOU
Have YOU 2' said Tom; "thats odd
for l. Well, never mind that Just ye
What is it, May2"
Tom" said, still surcr now he ha
mi-iudged me, and more resolved to set hiI
right want place.
\ place p repeated Tom, puzzled, Q
well be might be, by this sudden and il
definite announcement "what kind Of
place %
don't know" | said, for, indeed, m
IDEAS were Of the yaguest. 81 though
you might, being in the way Of those thing
Now, pray, Tom" went on quickl,
don't fancy | am discontented, or-C
anything of the sort the truth is, eve
since left off school have wanted SOM
thing to do, and had it in my mind to spea
to you about it,"
With this ] looked at Tom, fearing |
might be vexed but he did not look vcxe'
, only prooccupied.
do know of a place, as it happens
he said, after while, " only | am not SUI
how it would suit you"
! That's soon seon," said |. What
It like ?"
We'll, IFS a sort of-of general US
fulness-n
: "Why, it must be to ruu errands," sa
|, laughing. And where is il, Tom ~
"Well, said Tom, hesitating again, il
,oiM me- Z"
=, How very nice, exclaimed " Ilo
! soon can | have it2"
The sooner the better, 30 far as a
concerned" said Tom, aud with that
turned round and looked at me- and d
|, rectly met his eyes | knew something, a
in a moment, what it was he meant aud
knew, too, both that could not have pass,
! all my life with viii Broomly, and why
could not
| am sure Lefty Walters, who interrup
ed us just then, must have thought my wi
! we're wandering that evening, and, indie,
they were for was completely dazed wi
the sudden turn things had taken. B
Tom, who bad the advantage of me ther
: took it quito coolly, and laughed and tai
: ed with Lefty just the same as ever till 81
went away.
1t was pretty late when we went !
: Mother sat where we had left her, knittil
i in the twilight.
= Wasn't that Lefty Walters with you
!, while ago?n she said, as we came up.
Yes" said |, with confused feeling
. an explanation or something being necC
u sary; "she just came to bring the nc