Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-10-09


He tossed the segar away, and strOde -.
and down the porch, which creaked alarm
ing beneath his heavy tread.
Y pretty fellow I am to get into such a
rage about nothing, he said at last, paus-
ing beside Helen, who still leaned against
the lattice-work. Forgive me will you
not will never behave so again.
4 have nothing to forgive she replied,
with smile. Il like to see you behave
badly-it amuses me, and need to be
amusc!'
rs it not 4 pity that 4 man il 80 hamper
ed by circumstances as to be unable to as
sumo heroic attitude when he wishes p
questioned Tom. seemingly quite tranquil
once more. Il do not care to be taller nor
less clumsy / don't even wish to amend
and revise my nose but l would like to
perform some wonderful feat which would
for ever exalt me in your eyes, and earn
for me you: eternal gratitude. / can think
of scores-snatching you from under the
wheels of a locomotive swimming with
you to shore from sinking ship, while the
waves were running mountain high or
rescuing you from some desperate armed
with numberless daggers and revolvers.
How delightful It would be to hear you sob
out your thankfulness to your brave pre-
server, as Miss Alicia de COurcy does to
Percy Fitzgerald in my last drama At
present l amuse you-am well nigh as in
dispensible to your comfort as a lap-dog
compel you to be grateful, and-I think
you could hardly avoid loving me-
L should abhor you ? returned Helen
4 always dislike people to whom l am
under obligations. When am forced to
be grateful to anybody, l feel as though the
anybody had string to your little finger
and could jerk in warningly at intervals to
warn me of my duty
On the whole, then said Tom. looking
down at her small figure, you would prefer
to recue me, and listen to the sobbiug as
surances of my gratitude will improvise
some horrible danger forthwith-plunge
headformost into it and allow you to take
me out, if you will be any more likely to
care for me in consequence. Let me see
we are going up the valley tomorrow
Not we,' interrupted Helen. L must
remain at home to entertain a visitor
DO you expect the coming of that do
mestic aff1iction, Miss Fletcher Why not
run away from her first thing in the morn
ING ?
1t is not Miss Fletcher said Helen,
hesitating over the words. 1t is-Mr.
Hastings
Why did you not tell me a day sooner p
asked Tom, in hard constained tone.
Il did not know it till this evening" she
replied. The telegram came only an hour
ago-Inst after we had finished tea
And you are glad p Tom questioned,
looking 1t her with a keen glance.
Yes, I suppose so; it is my duty to be
glad
This is good-by, then,' said Tom, after
some minutes of embarrassing silence.
Shall | not see you tomorrow ? she
asked, little falter in her voice.
s'No; shall be off by sunrise for at leastat
day in the yalley. l can take the evening
train at March's Bridget slakes there,
and the conductor knows me and will not
object If Mr.. Hastings is what he should
be, you will not want me; if he is not
shake hands, Helen. Don't look out the
window when go away. / should only
think of you as looking a little later for
Mr. Hastings coming
Poor Tom,' said Helen to herself, a
few minutes afterward, as she heard his
room door close with emphasis. 4 wonder
if Ralph ever bangs the doors or gets into
small RACES He never lumbers, at any
rate, and how the porch floor did squeak
when Tom walked across it y
Il think 1 can get down there soloquiz-
ed Tom Ford, the next forenoon, peering
over the rocky wall. AT least it is worth
my while to try--it will save mile of
walking if l succeed Swinging himself
over, he crept cautiously downward. Half