Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1873-07-10

not sure how it would suit YOU
"Thats soon seen." said l. "What
is it like p
well, it's a sort of-of general use
fullness-''
Why, it must be to run errands, y
said I, laughing. "And where is it,
Tom -
"Well," said Tom, hesitating again,
Its with me-
"How very nicer' exclaimed. How
soon can have it?''
1.-The sooner the better, so far as
am concerned" said Tom, and with
that he turned round and looked at me,
and directly l met his eyes 1 knew
somehow, all in moment, what he
ment; and | knew, too, both that l
could not have passed all my life with
Will BROMLEY, and why could not
am sure Lefty Walters, who inter
rupted us just then, must have thought
my wits were wandering that evening,
and indeed they were, for l was com
pletely dazrd with this sudden turn
things had taken. But Tom who had
the advantage of me there, took it
quite coolIy, 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 awhile ago ?" she said, as we came
up.
s'Yes," said I, with a 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, so 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 fashion,
taking and putting down in the wrong
! places all the small objects that fell in
his way. He came up and took seat
by mother. l 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, Its all settled"
Settled, is it ?" said mother, in any
thing but joyful tone. so it's as
expected all the time. Well you have
my best wishes, Tom; perhaps you
may be happy together after all; I'm
sure | hope so.'
This wasn't very encouraging sort
of congratulation, and Tom seemed
rather taken aback by it.
Pm sorry you are not pleased" he
said, after pause; Il had an idea
somehow you would be-"
II don't know from what you judg-
ed. But there, it's no use of crying
over split milk. You'll be married di
rectly, l presume; 1 must be looking
out for house." and mother stroked
her nose refectively with a knitting
needle.
What for?" said Tom; 81 thought
Of keeping on here all the same"
Il never supposed otherwise" said
mother. ''Of course did not expect
to turn you out Of your own house"
But what is the need of looking
out for another, then ?"
why for myself"
For myselt!' repeated Tom, in g
tone of utter amazement. "Going to
leave us-just now? Why, Aunt
Anne, l never heard of such a thing %
Now, Tom" said other, speaking
very fast, and making her needles fly
in concert, "we might as well come to
an understanding at once on this sub
ject. am fully sensible of your past
kindness-now just let me fnish-I
say appreciate it, and have tried to
do my duly by you in return, as hope
should always be ready to do.
wish you all good to you and your
wife, aud shall be glad to help her il
ever l can, but to live in the same
house with her is what would turn out
pleasantly for neither of US, and, once
for all, can't do it,"
Aunt Anne," said Tom, pushing
back his chair, and staring in mothers
excited face, ''either you or must be
out of o. WITS"
Its not me, then, at any rate re
torted mother, getting nettled.
Amusement and certain embarrass
ment had kept me a silent lie tener sc
far, but there was no standing this;
tried to speak, but could not, for laugh
ing.
II think you are all out of your
wits together" said mother, turning
sharply. "What ails the child? e? its
} no laughing matter"
) You don't understand each other,
1 gasped; "oh, dearn' tits not Let
: ty-oh-oh, dearr' and relapsed
again.
mot Lefty p repeated mother, turn
ing to Toln. 'Then why did you tel
! me so 2''
81 never told you So" said Tom.
"Why, yes you did" persisted moth
er. You came in and told me yol
r were going to be married.
Yes, so I am,' said Tom, still a
cross purposes.
/ "Now, Tom Dean" said mother, ris
! ing and confronting him, "what dc
! you mean ? and aoho is going to b,
your wife"
f why, May, of course" answered
| Tom.
r "Mayr and then after pause of in
Y expressible astonishment, it was moth
Y er's turn TO laugh. "Do yon mean tc
= say, Tom, it was that child you wer
e thinking of all the while?'
"Who else could it be?" said Tom
s simply.
It WELL" said mother, 81 ought t
have remembered you never did any
e thing like anybody else. But, still
d why in the world did you go to wor
a in such a roundabout way ?"
Il wanted 70 see how you took t
!. my idea,'' said Tom.
n "And how do you suppose we wer
It to guess your idea ment May! !" moth
er asked.