The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-02-20


was silence for moment, and then he
went OH with some words that made
his sisters heart beat in dreadful
way.
The fact is, Fvo been waiting for q
rise in my salary to--to-make all i'm
portant change in my lfe."
Ivah's heart stood still in terror.
Again Tom paused.
"What is it, Tom? What change?
You are not going away?"
"No. | suppose | ought to have
told you before. Fm-Fm engaged to
get married"
She gasped, "Oh, Toni" and then
broke into tears.
Tom was vexed at her emotion.
81 don't see why you need take on at
this rate," he said, with petulance. 81
should think you'd rejoice at any hap
piness that comes into my life of drudg-
cry"
Yes, sobbcd Ivah; "but it was I'M
expected am glad of anything that
will make you happier. OF course, it
has been very drcary for you since
your father died, and you have had to
work hard.v
She did not add as many another
would have done, "And have work
ed hard; and your work, Tom, has
taken you into the light and life and
sunshine; mine has tied me to the
lonely house. You have had time and
heart to make love and to win love-"
She said nothing of this, but asked
the name Of the woman who was to
take her place.
When Tom gave it she said: "That
sounds like a French name."
E."She is of French parentagc," Tom
admitted.
"When do you expect to be mar
ried?"
"Ncxt Wednesday,"
"And this is Saturday. I fear I can't
get things ready for you. Your room
ought to be re-papered."
"No matter about my room," said
Tom, with nervous haste, for he saw a
chance to say, in natural connection,
what he dreaded to say. 81 think we
had better go to Mrs. Hills for few
months, at least. want Marie's hon
eymoon, at least, to be pleasant. Baby
is getting to be such bother. II
would make you so much more work,
too," he fastened 10 add, glad of so
good all excuse.
"What would the house be without
Toni" cried Ivah's poor heart. Then,
too, the prudent little soul tremblcd at
the extravaganza of Toms plan.
81 don't see, Tom, how you can af-
ford to take rooms at Mrs. Hills. If
we divide, we double the expense; l
don't see how we can manage on
thousand dollars"
Tom rose from one chair and flung
himself into another.
81 don't suppose we shall stay there
q year," he said impatiently. "Of
course, can't keep up two establish
mcnts; that isn't to be expected of
man. Other young men marry and
set up for themselves. You can't ex-
pcct that can stay tied up to YOU al
ways, Ivah; should think you might
do something to earn n living. You
can't expect to go through life without
work. Why can't you teach?'
lvah replied with low, pathetic voice
"Ion ought TO know why, Tom.
have been doing houscwork since | was
fifteen. | have no preparation for
teaching"
"Well," said Tom. in his easy way,
"you have got good head for plan
ming. You'll have to think it over and
determine what you'll do"
lie went out and left his sister sitting
with white face and wide ewes.
1t was not dismay that she mnst go
out single-handed to the combat that
kept her sitting there like statue; it
was that Tom was willing she should
| fight alone.
With deserted feeling she went in
to where baby was sleeping; she drop
ped beside the bed; she kissed babv's
hand, thrown out.
Then she put her eyes against the
counterpane and made VOW never to
desert-baby She would as soon
have thought of promising never TO de-
sert her own heart. She promised
never, never to desert Tom. She had a
vague fear that evil was advancing up-
on Tom. She knelt there till she had
no right TO censurc Tom. All Young
men fall in love, and all wanted to
marry. She could not expect Tom Ia
be sacrifice to her and baby. Q
| When she had thus decided, she sal
up and began to plan her future.
There seemed only one thing fo,
lvah to do; to take boarders.
Before going to bed, she went to the
Tribune Office with an advertisement
for the morning paper.
BY the time that Tom had vacated
his room and gone to Mrs. Hil's, M
elderly man and wife were ready to
move into it. Table boarders also
came. The first day Ivah cooked 70,
seven boarders. She had Young cir
to look after baby, wash dishes, run
errands, etc.
Ivah's rule was to have few dishes
we'll prepared, Vpd having home-fla
vor. AS sho had reckoned, tbi,
pleased. The seven boarders brought
IN others. Before the month was out
there were moro applicants than hel
table would accommodate.
AT the months end, with throbbins
heart, Ivah carefully cast up her ac
counts. When this was done, she shu
the little book caught baby to her knee
kissing and hugging the child. The
little landladv had come ont ahead
There was balance of thirteen dollars
in her favor.
She knew that her boarders were sc
we'll pleased that she could venture
small advance on her prices. Very
small it was, only seventy-five cents
head, on the week, but 1t told on tho
returns.
Before five months had passed, Ival
decided to take larger and better
house, more conveniently situated fol
business people, and TO put up hel
prices. The house was nearer Tom.
quarters, and before Ivah was settled
Tom camc around with his books.
at will be so pleasant to have yor
near" he said.
lvah discerned the sadness in hi,
smile. She had remarked before tina
Tom was looking thinner and more
worn.
''Whenever you are belated in YOU
work, you must come and let me hell
you Tom," she said, beginning TO cas-
up column of figures.
When they had finished the work
she inquired about Marie.
) "A