The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-06-04

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How very nice! I exclaimed.
sHow soon can I have it?
'The sooner the better, so far as
I am concerned,' said Tom, and
with that he turned round and
looked at me, and directly [ met
his eyes I knew somehow, all in a
moment, what it was he. meant;
and I knew, too, both that | could
not have passed all my life with
Will Broomley, and achy l could
not. = q.
|; I am sure Lefty Walters, who
interrupted us just then; must have
thought my wits were wandering.
that evening, and Indeed they were;,
for I 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
lust the same as ever till she went.
away.
It was pretty late when we went.
lin. Moher sat where we had left
her, knitting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with,
you i a while ago?' she said, as we 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. ," - -,
sH'm!': said mother, as much as
to say She had her own ideas as to
what Lefty came for. 80, 8. ),
Tom had been wandering about
.heroom in an absent sort of faslI-
ion, taking up and putting down 7,
in the wrong places all the small
objects that fell. in his way. BE
came. up and took a seat by mother
II became of sudden very busy
with the plants in 'theIwindow
for I knew he was going to tell
her. | '|s~
wish me Joy, Aunt Annie SAID
he, it's all settled
Settled, is it?' said mother, in
any thing but a joyful tone. Sc
it's as I suspected all along. Well
you have my best wishes, Tom !
perhaps you may be happy togeth.
er aftersall, Tin sure I hope so.''..af
This wasn't a very encouraging
sort of congratulationS and Ton,
seemed rather taken aback by it.
sI'm sorry you're not pleased,
he said, after pause Iahadr ar
idea somehow you would be-, .af
I don't know from: what yov
Judged. But. there, its no use
crying over split milk You'll be
married directly, presu,ne.;;l
1must be looking outs for a house,
and mother stroked her nose re.
fertively with a knitting-needle.
sWhat for?' said Tom I thought
of keeping on here all 1.-The same
4 meyer supposed otherwise
said mother. OF course [ did not
expect to turn you out Of your own
house. q Il. ga
But what is the need Of looking
out for another then p
why, for myself. 90
sFor yourself!' repeateaTom, in
tone of utter amazement. Going
to- leave us-just now? Why, Aunt
Anne, I never heard, Of Of snch ueh a
thing!'
s Nov, Tom said mother, speak.
ing very fast, and making her. nee
dies fly in concert, 'we might as
we'll come to an understanding at
once on this subject. Lam fully
sensible of your past kindness
now Just let me fnish-I say [ ap'
preciate it, and have, tried to do my
duty by yoain return, asI hope
should always be ready to- do.
; wish all good to you and your wife
andshaH be glad to hefpaher if evel
T can, but to live in the same house
with her is what would turn on
] pleasantly for neither of US, and
once for all, I can't do.it.,'s4 =.
Aunt Annie, said Tom. pushing
back his chair, and staring IL
, mothers excitsd face, 'either you o.
Unjust be out of our wits "a
}, It'senot me, then; at any rate,
retorted mother, getting nettled.@
E Amusement and a certain 'embar
rassment had kept me assilent lis
tener 80 far, butthere was no stand
ing. this; / tried to speak, bu
could not for laughing.
; 4 think you are all out of you
wits together said mother. turnin|
) sharply. what ails the child? it,
no laughing matter
S you don't understand eacl
:, other I gasped; 'oh, dear !it-lt'
not Letty-oh-oh, dear! and e = re
e lapscd again. -,
: Not Lefty p repeated mother
a turning to Tom. Then why di
yon tell me so ? -
: 4 never told you So said Ton
S why. yes you did, persistee
: mother. You came in and tol
me YOU were going to be married
4 Yes, so I am said Tom, still
L IIcroas-pu!poses.
e Now, Tom Dean said mothe
:, rising and confronting him, 'wh'