The National tribune., 1882-06-17

4
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, knitting
in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with you q
while ago?' she said, as we came up.
Yes" said I, with confused feeling of
an explanation of something being necessary
'she just come to bring the new crochet pat
tern she promised me-"
"H'm." said mother as 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 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 I became of
a sudden very busy with the plants in the
window; for l knew he was going to tell
/ her
"W-ish me joy, Aunt Anne" said he, cts
all settled"
/ "Settled, is it?" said mother, in anything
! but joyful tone. $50 it's as suspected
all along Well you have my best wishes,
Tom; perhaps you may be happy together
/ after all; Pm 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 a pause; l had an idea somehow you
would be-"
Il do not know from what you judged
But, there, it's no use Of crying over split
milk. You'll be married directly, presume;
[ must be looking out for n house." and
mother stroked her nose refectively with a
Snitting-needle.
What for?" said Tom; ~ thought of
keeping on here all the same"
81 never supposed otherwise" said mother.
"Of course did not expect to turn you out
of your own house"
But what is the need looking out for an
other, then?"
Why, for myself"
For YOURSELF! repeated Tom; in tone
of utter amazement. "Going to leave us
just now? Why, Aunt Anne, l never heard
of such thing!"
Now, Tom," said mother, speaking very
fast, and making her needles fly in concert,
1--WE might as well come to an understanding
at once on this subject. am fully sensible
Of your past kindness-now just let me fin
ish-I say l appreciate it, and have tried to
do my duty by you in return, as | hope /
should be always ready to do. / wish all
good to you and your wife, and shall be glad
to help her if l can, but to live in the same
house with her is what would turn out pleas
antly 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 our wits"
Its not me, then, at any rate" retorted
mother, getting nettled.
Amusement and q certain embarrassment
had kept me a silent listener SO far, but
there was no standing this; l tried to speak,
but could not, for laughing.
Il think you are all out of your wits to-
gether," said mother, turning sharply. What
ails the child? It's no laughing matter"
you don't understand each other" I
gasped "oh, dear! it's not Letty-oh-oh,
dear!" and relapsed again.
"Not Lefty 2" repeated mother, turning to
Tom. Then why did you tell me so?"
Il never told you So" said Tom.
"Why, yes you did persisted mother.
"You came in and told me you were going
to be married"
eyes, SO I am" said Tom, still at cross
purposes.
Now, Tom Dean, said mother, rising and
confronting him. what do you mean? who
is going to be your wife,"
why, May, of course" answered Tom.
May" and then, after pause of mex
pressible astonishment, it was mothers turn
to laugh. "Do you mean to say, Tom, it was
that child you were thinking of all the
while?"
"Why, who else could it be?n said Tom,
simply.
"Well," said mother, II ought to have re-
membered you never did do anything like
anybody else. But, still, why in the world
did you go to work in such roundabout
way?n
Il wanted to see how you took to my
idea," said Tom.
"And how do you suppose we were to
guess your idea meant May?" mother
asked.
"Who else could it be?" repeated Tom,
falling back on what he evidently found un-
answerable argument. 1t was no use talking
to him. Mother gave it up with a shake of
the head.
"And you won't want another house then,
Aunt Anne?" said Tom suddenly. That set
mother off again; Tom joined with her, and
altogether / don't think we ever passed
merrier evening than the one that made us
acquainted with Toms wife.
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