Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-06-28

"A place?" repeated Tom, puzzled
as we'll as might be, by this sudden and
indefinite announcement: "what kind
of placeY'
II don't know" I said, for, indeed,
my ideas were of the vaguest. "I
thought you might, being in the way of
those things. Now, pray, Tom," I
went on, quickly don't fancy I'm dis
contented or-or anything of that sort,
the truth is, ever since I left school I
have wanted something to do, and had
in my mind to speak to you about it. :"
With this looked at Tom, fearing
he might be vexed; but he did not look
vexed, only preoccupied.
II do know of place as it happens, !"
he said, after awhile, only I'm not
sure how it would suit you"
That's soon seen," said I. What
is it like?
"Well, lisa sort of-of general USE
fulness-"
"Why, it must he to run errands, ="
said I, laughing. "And where is it.,
Tom ?"
"Well," said Tom, hesitating again,
"it's with me-"
How very nicew I exclaimed. "How
soon can I have it?"
"The sooner the better, so far as I'm
concerned" said Tom, and with that he
turned round and looked at me, and di-
rectly met his eyes I knew somehow,
all in moment, what it was he meant;
and knew, too, that could not have
passed all my life with Will BROMLEY,
and why I could not.
am sure Lefty Walters, who deter
rupted us just then, must have thought
my wits were wandering that evening,
and, indeed, they were, for I was COM
pletely dazed with this sudden turn
things had taken. But, Tom, who had
the advantage of me there, took it quite
cody, and laughed and talked with
Lefty just the same as ever till she
went away.
It was pretty late when we went in.
Mother sat where we had left her, knit
ting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with
you while aso?' she said as We came
up.
"Yes," said I, with a confused feeling
of an explanation of something being
necessary: She just came to bring the
new crochet pattern she promised me"
"Hm" said mother, as much as to
say she had her own ideas as to what
Lefty came for.
Tom had been wandering about the
room in an absent sort of manner, tax
ing up and putting down in the wrong
places all the small objects that fell in
his way. He came up and took q seat
by mother. I became of q sudden very
busy with the plants in the window,
for 1 knew he was going to tell her.
"Wish me joy, Aunt Anne" said he,
Its all settled"
I" Settled, is it," said mother, in any
thing but joyful tone. So it's as I
suspected all the time. Well, you have
my best wishes, Tom; perhaps you may
be happy together after oil. I'm sure
hope So"
"This wasn't a very encouraging
sort of congratulation, and Tom seemed
rather taken aback by it.
elm sorry you're not pleased" he
said, after a pause; "I had IN idea
somehow you would be-"
"I don't know from what you Judge.
But there, it's no use crying over split
milk. You'll be married directly, I
presume; must he looking out for a
house." and mother stroked her nose
refectively with knitting needle.
"What for?" said Tom, 81 thought Of
keeping on here the same."
II never supposed otherwise" said
mother. "Of course I did not expect
to turn you out of your own house"
"But what is the use of looking out
for another, then?"
"Why, for myself"
For yourself!' repeated Tom, in a
tone of utter amazement. "Going to
leave us-just now? Why, Aunt Anne,
never heard of such thingw
"Now, Tom" said mother, speaking
very fast, and making her needles fly
in concert, "we might as we'll come TO
an understanding at once ON this sub
ject. 1 am fully sensible Of your past
kindness- how met let mo fnish-T