The Brookhaven leader., 1884-02-21

he used to say when little, as Tom and
Archie naturally went together, and the
two youngest paired of.
Something in Jims distressed face
made the bows urge him TO come in.
lie did so. and took a seat between them
on the sofa and begged that they would
continue the ''f1ow of conversation
which his untimoly presence had inter-
ruptcd, adding that Archie looked as
though he was in love too.
"And so | am bitterly said Archie.
"Oh Lordr' shouted Jim, IL m there
too, )" and franticaIly graspcG both of
his brothers in his arms.
Jim insisted Tom, "no nonsense
for once. TO let 60"
Nonsense! | am in dead earnest.
Have been for three years, and Lord
knows how | am going to break it
gently TO mother" .nd the sweat
streamed from inns face "Boys, let's
go in body and storm tho castle"
"Ihe girls breaking with me hns
saved me the trouble of breaking it to
mother bitterly replied Archie, ''she
does not love me any m ore"
go, yes she does, Arch: we'll make
her." And now that Jims secret
was confessed to some one he grew
so light-hearted that the boys sus-
pccted him of making game of them.
tut Jim was in earnest, and, as he
told them, had been for three years.
Ever since Nell o Brown, pretty girl
of tiftcn, had come to live across the way
Jim heat had been gone. At first he
did not mind it much, but as he d ddn t
get over it he began to wonder if she
cared for him, and Just three weeks
aZo he ended his suspense, and now -
o, if it wasn't for mother would
be too happy
"Come, nv beloved brethren, we
must bear it like men. We must meet
mother. But, Jim. for Heavens sake
don spring it on her tonight: she
can't Lear any more" and Tom led the
way down TO the parlor. u.t as frank,
who was growing more like his father
every day, was telling his mother how
much he liked Toms fiancec. He de-
clared he liked her well enough to
marry her hinself. and said she had
more sense than all the other girls put
together.
Il know it, my son. If Tom must
marry of course there is no objection to
her. but why cou.dn he watt"
Tom is too young said giddy
Harry. The other boys were bound t.
encourage the haby's attempts at wit,
and after the laughter at Tom .expense
had subsded the chums went down the
street, leaving Jim with lis mother.
He was restless, and re AIMED nervously
around the room, upsetting the piano
stool and punching the dog ms cad Of
the FIRE. tlen desperately plumring
himself down at his mothers feet he
began:
"Mother, what would you think of
woman who would refuse one of your
boys?" All! willy Jim knew that the
icalous' mother-love could not stand
that, and his mournful face and tragic
tone did the rest. He looked the e ief
he felt for Archie, and Mother Bsres-
ford expressed her opinion of the
woman insensible of the honor CON
ferred on her by one OF her boys in very
pronounced terms
Having gained his point, he kissed
his mother, and left her for call on
Nellie Brown.
He spccuiated much as to who could
have refused Archie, and resolved to
get the story out of him before long,
Il have done him a good turn, too, "
soliloquized he, "but he won't thank
mo for it now. Never mind; he will in
time when Miss What's her name
comes to terms"
Next week Toms engagement was
announced. Mrs. Beresford bore it like
a martyr, according to the baby, AMI
really seemed satisfied. For was it not
better to have him happy than sad as
poor Jim, and she looked tenderly at
Jim, who was gazing at Nellie from n
distance, being obliged to keep up the
role of discarded lover before his
mother.
But he resolved to keep his eyes open
and find out about Archie if possible,
and he looked toward the dancers,
where Archie's graceful form was to be
seen. well, he doesn't care a straw
about the girl he's dancing with. Let
me look around bit. Wonder if that
performan, worries Minnie Ross any?
Arch used to like her. No, it isn't
Minnie" and the keen blue eyes
roamed over the room.
"Ah! by Jup ter, it's Stella Graham,
and she does love him, too."
Surely, Jim had grounds for the
opinion. Near the door stood lovely
lady with face white as death and
eyes burning like stars, and they fol-
lowed the graceful couple dancing with
a gaze that to Jimmie seemed despair
ing. "Some internal misunderstand-
ing" he muttered, land both as proud
as Lucifer.
He went straight to Stella Graham.
and before she had time to think had
taken her to the conservatory. Back
of this room was small one, where
Tom d d h courtng. Jim said, and
there he took her. He didn't know
surely that she was the right one, but
he felt it, and without wa ting for more
he said:
"Miss Graham, last night l heard a
mans voice say, She does not love me
any more Tonight / saw woman's S
face say the same thing most bitterly. /
don't know what the trouble is, but |
know something is wrong. May l send
Archie in here?"
She was sobbing, and before she
could say no Jim had Archie there.
The beautiful dark eyes were full of
tears, and the marble cheek told of suf-
fering, AID the voice was broken that
sa d: IL am so sorry, and | do love
YOU" Neither ever told the story of
their quarrel.
In what Jim deemed a proper length
l. Ill nd xxrlN ISM frN