Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-03

"Of course" repeated Tom, absently.
Not that have any such idea" resumed
mother, growing warmer; 81 have said and say
again that to bring perfect stranger under this
roof is not my opinion of you, Tom"
felt mothers words like so many pins and
needles; for Tom was looking meditativey
across at me. and, though that was just way Of
his, it seemed now as If he were reading in my
face that the opinion was mine and that had
been meddling In what did no concern me-
felt myself for very vexation getting redder
every moment, till It grew intolerable.
ut is 50 warm here" said, for an excuse
turning toward the French window. ST am GO
ing to get q breath Of air."
1 went out into our little strip Of garden
ground; Tom followed. 1 thought I should
never have better opportunity to say what had
In my mind to say, 80 l waited for him by the
bench under the old pear tree. +" Sit down here,
''Have your" said Tom; ''that's odd, for T.
well, never mind that, just yet. What is it
May?"
''Tom," I said, still surer now he had mis-
judged me, and more resolved to set him right,
II want q place."
"a placer" repeated Tom puzzled, as well he
might be BY this sudden and indefinite announce
ment; 'what kind Of placer"
81 don't know said, for. indeed, my ideas
%sTs of TIN the yap o9 81 thought
Tom" went on quickly, don't fancy am dis
cOntented, or-or anything Of that sort; the
truth is, ever since left Off school have want
ed 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 looked vexed; only
pre-Occupied.
81 do know Of a place, as 1t happens" he said
after while, "only I'm not sure how it would
suit you"
That's soon seen," said I. 'What is it
Hke?"
swell. it's sort of-of general usefulness"
why. it must be to run errands." said
laughing Sand where is it. TOMB"
WELL" said Tom, hesitating again, ''it's with
me-"
How very nice!" exclaimed. Chow soon
can have it,"
1.-THE sooner the better, so far as am con-
cerned," said Tom, and with that he turned and
looked atme. and directly met his eyes 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 l could not.
l am sure Lefty Walters, who interrupted us
just then, must have thought my wits were wan
dering that evening, and indeed, they were; for
was completely dazed with this sudden turn
things had taken. But Tom, who had the ad-
vantage 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 twi-
light.
wasn't that Lefty Walters with you while
agO?" she said. as we came up.
yes" said /, with a confused feeling of an
explanation Of something being necessary; ':she
just came to bring the new crochet pattern 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 seat
by mother. l became of a sudden very busy
with the plants in the window; for knew he
was going to tell her.
Wish me joy, Aunt Anne" said he, "it's all
settled"
''settled, is it?" said mother, in anything but
joyful tone. $50 it's as 1 suspected all along
Well, you have my best wishes, Tom; perhaps
you may be happy together after all, I'm sure
hope So"
graduation, and Tom seemed rather taken aback
by it:
''I'm sorry you are not pleased" he said,
after a pause; Il had an idea somehow you
would be-"
:. 81 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; must
be looking out for house," and mother
stroked her nose refectiveiy with knitting
needle.
What for?" said Tom; 81 thought of keeping
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 another,
then p
''Why, for myself"
For yourself!" repeated Tom, in tone Of
utter amazement. "GOing to leave us-just
now? Why, Aunt Anne, never heard of such
a thing!'
"Now, Tom" said mother, speaking very fast,
me- hnr A.,
might as well come to an understanding at once
on this subject. / am fully sensible Of your past
klndneSs-nOw just let me f1nish-I say appre-
ciate it, and have tried to do my duty by you in
return, as l hope l should be always ready to
do. ! wish all good to you and your wife, and
shall be glad to help her if can, but to live in
the same house with her is what would turn out
can't do it,
"Aunt Anne" said Tom. pushing back his
''either you or 1 must be out of our wits"
Its not me, then, at any rate" retorted
mother, getting nettled.
Amusement and certain embarrassment had
kept me silent listener so far but there was no
for laughing.
81 think you are all out Of your wits to-
gether," said mother, turning shaply. ''What
ails the child7 It's no laughing matter"
You don't understand each other" gasped;
vi, ueai II . Aot AetCy-OL-On, Oear! anu
relapsed again.
"Not Lettya" repeated mother, turning to
Tom. ''Then why did you tell me SO 2"
II 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, 80 1 am" said Tom, still at cross-pur-
poses.
snow. 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 inexpressi-
BILE 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!" said Tom,
simply.
well" said mother, 81 ought to have remem-
bered you never did do anything like anybody
else: But, still, why in the world did you go to
work in such roundabout way?"
81 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 unanswerable
argument. It was NO use talking to him.
Al>&l.