The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-07-28

10, ever since l left OIL school i nave
wanted something to do, and had it in
my mind to speak to you about il"
With this I looked at Tom, fearing he
might be vexed but he did not look
vexed only preoccupied.
~ do know Of place, as IL happens"
he said, after while, "only I'm not
sure how it would suit you"
"That's soon seen," said /. "What
is it like?"
"Well, it's sort of-of general use
fitness"
Why, it must be run errands," said
i, laughing. "And where is it, Tom A"
WE'LL" said Tom, hesitating again,
"it's with me-"
"How very nice |" I exclaimed.
Chow soon can have it?"
"The sooner the better, 80 far as ]
am concerned" said Tom, and with that
he turned and looked at me, and directly
1 met his eyes Iknew somehow, all in a
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 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.
L. xxI,N 10 fNfk l.,
ting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with you
while ago?" she said, as we came in.
"Yes," said 1, with a confused feeling
of an explanation of something being
necessary "she just came to bring the
new crochet pattern she promised me.
ii IN u 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. / became of a
sudden very busy with the plants in the
window; for l knew he was going TO tell
her.
Wish me Joy, Aunt Anne" said he;
"it's all settled.
"Settled, is it ?" said mother, in any
thing but joyful tone. $50 it's as I
suspected all along. Well, you have
my best wishes. Tom; perhaps you
may be happy after all I'm sure hope
So"
This wasn't very encouraging sort OF
congratulation, and Tom seemed rather
taken aback by it.
I'm sorry you are not pleased" he
said, after a pause. 81 had an idea
somehow you would be"
CT did not know from what you
judged. But, there, it's no use of CRYING
over split milk. You'll be married di-
rectly, presume. I must be looking
for house," and mother stroked her
nose rehectively with knitting-needle.
"What for ?" said Tom. Il thought
of keeping on here I'll the same"
never suspected other WISE" 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?"
"Why. for myself"
GO For yourself ?" repeated Tom, in a
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 needle fly in
concert, "we might as well come to an
understanding at once on this subject.
am fully sensibleo Of your past kindness
how just let me fnish-I say appre-
ciate it, and have tried to do my dUty by
you in return, as hope I should be al
ways ready TO DO. ] wish ell good to
you and your wife. and shall be glad to
help her Il I can, but to live in the Gamo
house with her is what would turn out
pleasant for neither one 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 l must be
out of our wits +"
It's not me, then, at any rate, re-.
torted mother, getting nettled.
Amusement and certain embarrass.
meut had kept me silent listener SO
far, but there was no standing this I
tried to speak, but could not, for laugh
ing.
st think you are all out of your WIS
together" said mother, turning sharply.
"What ails the child? It's no laughing
matter"
"You don't understand each other"
1 gasped; "oh, dear! it's not Letty-oh
oh. dearl" and relapsed again.
"Not Lefty ?" repeated mother, turn
ing to Tom. "Then why did you tell
me so ?"
q never told you So" said Tom.
"Why, yes, you did," persisted
mother.
You came in and told me you were
going To be married"
Yes, so 1 am" said Tom, still at
cross purposes.
Now, Tom Dean" said mother ris-
ing and confronting him, what do you
mean? Who is going to be your wife p
Why, May, OF course" answered
Tom.
May !" and then, after a pause of
inexpressible establishment, it was moth
er's 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, sharply.
Well" said mother, "I ought to
have remembered you never did 10 any