Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-05-06

clared he loved her we'll enough to marry
her himself, and said she had more sense
than all the rest of the girls put together.
81 know it, my son. If Tom must mar
ry of course there is no objection to her, but
why couldn't he wait ?'
''Tom is too young" said giddy Harry.
The other boys were bound to encourage
the baby's attempt at wit, and after the
laughter at Toms expense had subsidized
the chums went down street, leaving jim
with his mother.
He was restless, and roamed nervously
around the room, upsetting the piano-stool
and punching the dog instead of the fire,
then desperately Pumping himself down at
his mothers feet he began:
| "Mother, what would you think of wo-
man who would refuse one of your boys?'
| All! willy Jim knew that the mother-love
and tragic tones did the rest. He looked
the grief he felt for Archie, and Mother
Beresford expressed her opinion of the wo-
man insensible of the honor conferred on
her by one of her boys in very pronounced
terms.
/ Having gained his point, he kissed his
mother and left for call on Nellie Brown
He specialized much as to who could have
refused Archie, and resolved to get the story
out of him before long. 81 have done him
good turn, too,' soliloquized he, ''but he
won't thank me for it now. Never mind;
he will in time when Miss What s-her-name
comes to TERMS
Next week Louis's engagement was an
lnounced. Mrs. Beresford bore it like
martyr, according to the baby, and really
seemed satisfied. For was it not better to
have him happy than sad as poor Jim, who
was gazing at Nellie from 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 performance worries Minnie
Ross any? Arch used to like her. No, 1t
isn't Minnie,' and the keen blue eyes roam
ed over the room.
'sAh! by Jupiter it's Stella Graham, and
she does love him too"
Surely Jim had grounds for the opinion.
; Near the door stood a lovely lady with a
: face white as death and eyes burning like
stars and they followed the graceful couple
, dancing with gaze that to Jimmie seemed
despairing. ssSome internal misunderstood
ing" he muttered, 'tand both as proud al
:. Lucifer."
He went straight to Stella Graham, ano
i before she had time to think had taken bel
to the conservatory. Back OF this room
9 was small one, where Tom did his court
ing, Jim said, and there he took her. He
didn't know surely that she was the right
one, but he felt it, and without waiting foi
!. more he said
'sMiss Graham, last night l heard mans
voice say She does not love me any more.
!, Tonight I saw woman's face say the same
: thing most bitterly. l don't know what
the trouble is, but I know something is
: wrong. May send Archie in here?''
She was sobbing, and before she could
e say no, Jim had Archie there.
:. The beautiful dark eyes were full Of tears
: and the marble cheeks told of suffering, ano
: the voice was broken that said: 81 am SC
5 sorry, and do love you" Neither eyel
d told the story of their quarrel.
. Ia what Jim deemed a proper length Of
$ time he took Nellie and whispered to Tom
to bring "Mother" up to "'Fhe Retreat"
Mrs. Beresford, all unsuspicious of the
u trap laid for her by undutifnl Jimmie was
Retreat" where she encountered two yers
: happy young gentlemen and two equally
frightened young ladies.
80 mother we have talked them over, y
1 cried Jim, while sweet Nellie Brown put hel
' arms around Mother Beresford and said
! ''Dear Mrs. Beresford, we loved you toe
well to offend you by refusing your boys
AGNk BROWN.