The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-29

Iace Unat tne opinion was niue ana ina
had been meddliug in what did no
concern me. 1 felt myself for very
vexation getting redder every moment
till it grew in3olerable.
"It is 30 warm here" I said, for ar
excuse, turning toward the Frenct
window. II am going to get breath
Of air."
went out into our little strip of gar
den ground; Tom followed. thought
l should never have better opportun
ity to say what I had in my mind tc
say, so I waited for him by the bench
under the old pear tree. "Sit dowr
here, Tom" I said, Give something tc
say to you"
Have you ?" said Tom; "that's odd
for well, never mind that just yet
What is it, May?'
Tom," 1 said, still surer now he
had misjudged me, and more resolved
to set him right, I" 1 want a place"
"a place ?" repeated Tom, puzzled
as well he might be by this sudden
and indefinite announcement; "what
kind of place? ?"
II don't know" said, for, indeed,
my ideas were of the vaguest. ii
thought you might, being in the way ol
those things. Now pray, Tom" 1 went
on quickly, don't fancy am discon-
tented, or-or anything of that sort;
the truth is ever since 1 left off school
have wanted something to do, and had
it in my mind to speak to you about it.. ~
With this looked at Tom, fearing
he might be vexed; but he did not look
vexed; only preoccupied.
&C. do know of place, as it hap
pens," he said after while, "only I'm
not sure how 1t would suit you"
"That's soon seen," said I. "What
is it like?'
"Well, it's sort of-of general use.
fulness-"
"Why, it must be to run errands,"
said I, laughing. "And where is it,
Tom p
"well," said Tom, hesitating again,
Its with me-"
"How very nice" I exclaimed. Chow
soon can have it ?"
"The sooner the better, so far as
am concerned" said Tom, and with that
he turned and looked at me, and direct
ly met his eyes I knew somehow, all
in moment, what it was he meant; and
knew, too, both that 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 I was com
pletely dazed 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 knit.
ting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with
you while 2" she said, as we came
up
Yes" said I, with confused feel
ing of an explanation of something being
necessary; "she Just came to bring
the new crochet pattern she promised
me-"
Him T. 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 inan absent sort of fashion, taking
up and putting down in the wrong
places all the small objects that fell il
his way. He came up and took a seat
by mother. 1 became of sudden
very busy with the plants in the win
dow; for 1 knew he was going to tell
her.
Wish me Joy, Aunt Anne" said he,
its all settled"
"Settled, is q" said mother, in any.
thing but joyful tone. $50 it's as l
suspected all along. Well, you have
my best wishes, Tom perhaps you may
be happy together after all, I'm sure 1
hope so."
This wasn't a very encouraging sort of
congratulation, and Tom seemed rather
taken aback by it.
I'm sorry you are not pleased" he
said, after pause; 81 had an idea
somehow you would be-"
II did not know from what you
judged. But, there, it's no use of
crying over split milk. You'll be
married directly, I presume I 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"
never supposed otherwise" said
mother. "Of course 1 did not expect
to turn you out of your own house."
But what is the need looking out
for another, then ?"
"Why, for myself
"For yourself |" repeated Tom, in a
tcne of utter amazement. "Goine to
leave us-just now? Why, Aunt Anne,
l never heard of such thingr'
"Now, Tom," said mother, speaking
very fast, and making her needles fi '
in concert "we might as well come to
an understanding at once on this sub
iect. am. fully sensible of your past
kindness-now just let me finish-I say
I appreciate it, and have tried to do my
duty by you in return, as L hope 1
should be always ready to do. wish
all good to you and your wife, and shall
be glad to help her if I can, but to live
in the same house with her is what
would turn out pleasantly for neither of
us, and, once for all, I 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
+" It's not me, then, at any rate," re-
torted mother, getting nettled.
Amusement and certain embarrass-
ment had kept me silent listener so
far, but there was no standing this;
tried to speak, but could not, for laugh
ing.
81 think Won apa oil ant nf vorr Mite