The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-07-09

Have you" said Tom; that's
odd, for I-Well, never mind that,
just yet. What is it, May"
Tom, said, still surer now he
had misiudged me and more resolved
to set him right, 1 want a place
a place" repeated Tom, puzzled
as well he might be, by this sudden
and indefinite announcement; what
kind Of a place?'
i don't know, | said. for. indeed.
my ideas We're of the yaguest. i
thought you might, being in the way
Of those things. Now, pray, Tom,'
l went on quickly, don't fancy l am
discontented, or-or anything of that
sort; the truth Is. ever since l left
off school I have wanted something
to do and had it in my mind to speak
to YOU about it,
With this l looked at Tom, fearing
he might be vexed; but he did not
look yexed, only preoccupied.
/ do know Of place. as it hap
pens he said, after 4 while, only
I'm not sure how it would suit YOU
That's soon SEEN said l. What
is it like?'
We'll, its & sort of-of general
usefulness
why, it must be to run errands, :
said |, laughing. And where is it,
Tom 2
We'll. said Tom, hesitating again,
its with me-
How very nicer I exclaimed.
How soon can | have it,
The sooner the better, SO far as |
am concerned said Tom, and with
that he turned round and looked at
me, and directly | met his eyes, ]
knew. somehow. all in a moment.
what it was he meant; and l knew,
too. both that | could not have passed
all my life with VIII BROMLEY and
why / could not.
| am sure Lefty Walters, who in
terrupted Us just then, must have
thought my wits were wandering
! that evening. and, indeed, they We're
/ for / was completely dazed with this
sudden turn things had taken. But
Tom, who had the advantage of me
there. took it quite coolly and laughed
and talked with Lefty just the same
/ as ever till she went away.
1t was pretty late when we went
in. Mother sat where we had left
her, knitting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with
you a while ago. she said, as we
came up.
Yes said I, with a confused feel
ing of an explanation Of something
being necessary; she just came to
bring the new crochet-pattern she
promised me-
HIM said mother, as much as
10 say she had her own ideas as 20
what Lefty came for.
Tom had been wandering about
the room in an absent sort Of fashion
taking up and putting down in the
wrong places all the small objects
that fell in his way. lie came up and
took a seat by mother. | became Of
/ a sudden very busy with the plants
in the window; for l knew he was
going to tell her.
Wish me joy, Aunt Anne said
he, its all settled
Settled. is it, said mother. in
anything but a Joyful tone. SO it's
as ! suspected all along. Wei, you
have my best wishes, Tom; perhaps
you may be happy together after all,
I'm sure I hope So.
This wasn't a very encouraging
sort of congratulation and Tom
seemed rather. taken aback by It.
I'm sorry you're not pleased, he
said, after a pause 4 had an idea
somehow you would be.
/ 4 don't know from what YOU
Judged. But there. it's no use cry
! ing over split milk. You'll be mar,
ried directly. presume; must be
looking out for a house, and mother
stroked her nose refectiyely with a
knitting needle.
What forz said Tom; i thought
of keeping on here all the same
i never supposed otherwise, said
mother. 'Of course | did not ex
pcct to turn you out of your OWL
house
But what is the need of looking
out for another. them
Why. for myself
For yourself.' repeated Tom, in ;