Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-05-12
FISHING there were a few more Whimsical

it had been used as an argument against
TOMS marrying. I knew that mother had
spoken honestly, bell ewing that such a
step would not be for his happiness; but
was I not the best judge of that I knew
him, if reflection should bring him round
to my opinion, to be perfectly capa BILE Of
quietly sacrificing his own wishes for my
sake, who had not shadow of claim on
him ! SO it must be my part to prevent his
OWE kindness being turned against him
now. Still it was not Sc easy to see how
was to provide for myself, in case it should
become advisable. What could I do ?
Draw, sing and play tolerably, but in q
manner not to compete with the hosts that
would be in the, field against me. Litera.
ture had read so many stories whose
heroines, with dash of the pen. dashed
into wealth and fame. . That would be
very nice, 0nly-I was not the least bit
literary; had never even Kept a journal
which is saying good deal for girl in
her teens. The fine artist then, being Out
of the question for me, what remained
There was some clerkship, or place in
some family, and there was Will Brom-
ly! Is y 6 s
That may seem like going away from
the point, it was not. l was matter-of
fact. but could see well enough what
was going on right in my eyes, and had
a pretty clear Idea what was bringing Will
to the house as often as he had taken to
coming lately. There was 'situatien'
then, that would give me the home-life
liked best, and felt myself best suited for;
but would it answer in other respects? I
overcast the long seam I was sewing
twice over, was so busy trying to make
up nay mind whether liked Will Brom-
ly well enough to pass my whole life with
him; and even then had not come to any
decision, when was called down stairs to
Lefty Walters.
Lefty was the prettiest, think, of all
my friends, and certainly the loveliest.
Tom called her the tonic" and used to
laugh heartily at her bright speeches. I
suppose it was this that made mother fix
on Lefty as his choice. When came in
to the sitting room found kind of cross
examination going on. 1t was amusing to
anybody in the secret, as was, to watch
mothers artful way Of bringing the con-
versation round, as If by chance, to bear
on what she wanted to know. But it all
amounted to nothing, either because Let
ty was too good fencer, or because she
really had nothing to betray. But when
Tom came home mother took good care to
mention that Lefty had called.
''What, the tonic?" said Tom. ''Too
bad that missed her,
"But for your choice being already
made" said mother, with covert scruti-
nv Of his face. ~ dare say you might al
ways have as much of the tonic as you
liked"
sBut 60 on the homeopathic principle,
you know" answered Tom with twinkle
in his eye.
After that mothers belief in Letty's
outlines wavered. Her suspicious were
transferred from one to another of our &C
quaintances, but always with the same un-
satisfactory result.
''It passes my comprehension, - she said
to me despairingly, one day, 'I am positive
l could tell the right one by Toms face in
a minute, and yet have mentioned every
body we know
perhaps it is somebody we don It know"
suggested; ''some friend Of his we have
never SEEM
"What! perfect stranger" said moth
or sharply. ''Never talk to me in that
way child; TOMS not capable Of that"
was silent, for I 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
thunderbolt of his at us-mother began
about it openly.
"Whsn are you going to introduce us to
your wife Tom? suppose you have come
to an understanding by this timer"
oh, there's no hurry" Tom said, as he
had said before; but this time he did not
speak quite so cheerfully. 1.-The fact is.
have rival" he continued after a little
hesitation.
"a rival?" continued mother with I'M
feeling briskness.
Eyes. a young fellow-younger by a
good deal, than am and Tom 3 face as
sumed an absurdly doleful look. "He is
always there now. confess I don't see
my way clear; Pm waiting for her to make
up her mind"
''And she's waiting most likely, for you
to make up yeurs,'' said mother, forget
ting in her propensity to right matters,
that she was playing the enemy's game.
''There is something in that that never
occurred to me-" said Tom, his face
Frightening. Mother saw her mistake
and made counter move at once.
But the ways Of my time are old-fash-
toned now; young ladies nowadays take
matters into their own hands. If she cared
for you, you may be sure she would not
have waited till this time to let you know
it-that is. judge by the girls am in the
habit of seeing; but if this one is strang-
or to me, I cannot pretend to form an
opinion of her of course"
ssOf COURSE repeated Tom.
''Not that have any such idea," re-
sumed mother, growing warmer. II have
said. and l say again, that to bring per-
feet stranger under this roof is not my
opinion of you.'
felt my mothers words like so many
pins and needles; for Tom was looking
meditatively across at me, and though it
was way of his, seemed now as if he
was reading in my face that the opinion
was mine, and had been meddling in
what did not concern me. I felt myself
getting redder every moment, till it grew
intolsrable.
cit is SO warm here said for an ex-
cuse, turning to the French window. Il
am going to get breath of fresh air."