Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-06-12

seeing but II this one is . stranger to
me-" (here mother riveted her eyes
on Toms face: oh, dear, my unfortu-
nate words y ''if she is an entire
stranger, cannot pretend 10 form any
opinion of her, of course"
"Of COURSE" repeated Tom, absent
ly.
"Not that have any such idea,'
resumed mother, growing warmer; IL
have said and say again, that to bring
a perfect stranger under this roof is
not my opinion Of you, Tom"
l felt mothers words like so many
pins and needles for Tom was looking
meditatively across at me, and, though
that was just a way Of his, it seemed
now as II he were reading in my face
that the opinion was mine, and that
was meddling in what did not concern
me. felt myself, for very vexation,
getting redder every moment till it
grew intolerable.
1T is so warm, here" said, for an
excuse, turning toward the French win-
dow. 81 am going out to get breath
Of air."
went ont into our little strip Of
garden-ground Tom followed. /
thought should never have better
opportunity to say what had in nv
mind to say, so l waited for him by the
bench, under the old tree. ''Sit down
here, Tom," said, "Pve something to
say to you"
Have your" said Tom that's odd,
for We'll never mind that, just yet.
What is it, Msy1"
| "Tom," l said. still surer now he had
misjudged me, and more resolved to set
him right, Il want place"
"A place 2" repeated Tom, puzzled.
as well he might be, by this sudden
and indefinite announcement ''what
kind Of a place
Il don't know" said, for, indeed,
my ideas were of the vaguest. IL
thought YOU might, being in the way
of those things. Now, pray, Tom,"
went on. quickly, "doa't fancy am
discontented, or--or anything Of that
sort the truth is, ever since l left Off
school have wanted something TO do,
and have had it in my mind to speak
to you about it.
With this looked at Tom, fearing
be might be vexed but he did not look
vexed only preoccupied.
~ do know place, as it happens"
be said, after while, "only am not
sure how it would suit YOU"
That's soon seen," said 1. What
il it. like2''
"Well, it's sort Of of soaa-ol no
fulne
"Why, it must be to run errands,"
said, laughing. "And where is it,
Tom"
"Well, said Tom, hesitating again,
''its with me-"
'How very nice~ 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-
l knew somehow, in a moment, whatit
was he meant and knew too, both
that could not have passed all my
life with Will BROMLEY, and phy
Souii uOI.
am sure Lefty Walters, who inter-
rupted US just then, must have thought
my wits were wandering that evening,
and, indeed, they were for was com-
pletely 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, knit
ting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with
you while ago." she sald, as we came
up.
Yes" said |, with confused feel
ing of an explanation Of something be-
ing necessary 'she just came to bring
the new crochet-pattern she promised
me-"
"H'm!" said mother, as much as to
say that she had her own ideas as to
what Lefty came for.
Tom had been wandering about the
room in an absent sort Of fashion, TAX
ing up and putting down in the wrong
places all the small objects that fell in
his way. He came up and took a
seat by mother. became of a sudden
very busy with the plants in the win
| dow; for knew he was going to tell
her.
wish me joy, Aunt Anne" said he,
ats all settled"
''Settled, is it," said mother, in any
thing but joyful tone. $50 it's as I
suspected all along. Well, you have
my best wishes, Tom; perhaps you may
be happy together, after all, Pm sure
hope So"
This wvsn't a very encouraging sort
Of congratulation, and Tom seemed
rather taken aback by it.
"pm sorry you're not pleased" he
said, after pause 81 had an idea
somehow you would be-"
II don't know from what you judg-
ed. But there. it's no use crying over
spilled milk. You'll be married direct.
ly, l presume; l must be looking out
for house" and mother stroked her
nose redectively with . knitting-nee-
die.
'What for? said Tom; II thought
Of keeping on here all the same"
81 never supposed otherwise" said
mother. "Qf course did not expect
to turn you out Of your own house.
"But what is the need of looking for
another, then"
''For myself"
"For yourself!" repeated Tom. in
tone of utter amazement. "Going to
leave us-just now? Why, Aunt An
ne, never heard of such thing7"
! snow, Tom" said mother, speaking
very fast, and making her needles Ay
in concert, I'VE may as we'll come to
an understanding at once on this sub.
ject l am fully sensible of your past
kindneas-noW let me fniah-I sav