The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-11-02


had called
"What, the tonic?" said Tom. "Too
bad l missed her.
but for your choice being already
made" said mother, with covert scru
tiny of his face, II dare say you might
have as much of the tonic as You liked"
But go on the homeopathic princi-
pie, you know" answered Tom, with q
twinkle in his eye.
After that mothers belief in Letty's
outlines wavered. Her suspicious were
transferred from one to another of our
acquaintances, but always with the same
unsatisfactory results.
1T passes my comprehension" she
said to me jespairingly, one day. II am
positive could tell the right one by
Toms face in minute, and yet
have mentioned everybody that we
know"
perhaps it's somebody we don't know
/ suggested some friend of his we have
never seem"
"what a perfect strangerl' said
mother, sharply. Never talk to me.
child; Toms not capable OF that''
1 was silent, but did not want to
worry her; but that was my opinion all
the same.
The same evening-it was rather more
than week since Tom had hurled that
fhunderboldt of his at US mother began
about it openly.
"When are you going to introduce
your wife to us, Tom? l suppose you
have come to an understanding by this
time?'
"OL, there's no hurry" Tom said, as
he had said before; but this time he did
not speak so cheerfully. 1.-THE fact is"
he continued with little hesitation,
'tthere's-there's rival in the case"
ga rival?" repeated mother, with un-
feeling briskness."
Eyes, a young fellow-younger by q
good deal than am" and Toms face as
sumed an absurdly doleful look. "He
is always there now. I confess l don't
see my way clear; I'm waiting for her to
make up her mind"
"And she is waiting most likely for
you to make up yours" said mother. for.
getting in her own propensity to right
matters, that she was playing the enc
my's game.
''There's something in that that never
occurred to me-" said Tom, his face
LIZ nSCnAh6s AxAOsAOA gov AOA AAAASsesAAS
and made q counter move at once.
"But the ways of my time are old
fashioned now; young ladies, nowadays
she cared for you, you may be pretty
sure she wouldn't have waited till this
time to let you see it; that is. Judge by
girls am in the habit of seeing, but if
this one is a stranger to me-" there
mother rivited her eyes on Toms face;
oh, dear, my unfortunate wordsD eff she
is an entire stranger cannot pretend to
from any opinion Of her. of course"
"Of course" repeated Tom, absently.
"Not that have any such ideas" re-
sumed mother, growing warmer;. II
have said, and say again. that co bring
perfect stranger under this roof, is not
my opinion of you, Toni"
felt mothers words like so many
pins and needles; for Tom was looking
meditatively across at me, and ] felt
myself for very vexation getting redder
every moment, till it grew intolerable.
cit was so warm here" said, for an
excuse, turning toward the French win
dow. 81 am going to get breath OF
air."
Invent into our little strip of garden
ground; rom followed. l thought l
should never have better opportunity
to say what had in my mind to say, so
1 waited for him by the bench under the
old pear tree.
"Sit down here, Tom" I said, GIVE
something to say to you.
"Have you?" said Tom. "That's odd,
for well, never mind that, just yet.
What is it, May?"
"Tom," said, still surer now he had
misjudged me, and more resolved to set
myself right, 81 want place"
ga place! What kind Of a placer"
ST don't know" l said. for, indeed, my
ideas were of the vaguest; II thought
you might, being in the way OF those
things. Now, pray, Tom," I went on
quickly, "don't fancy am disconnected,
or-or anything of that sort; the truth is,
ever since 1 left school have wanted
something to do, and had it in my mind
to speak to you about it.
With this 1 looked at Tom. fearing he
n light be vexed, but he did not look
vexed, only preoccupied.
81 do know of place, Is 1t happe ms, !"
he said, after q while, "only I'm not
sure how it would suit you"
That's soon seen, said I. "Whst is
it like?"
well. it's sort of--of general use
fulness-" :.
"Whv IL must be TO run errands, :"