Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-04-05
Archie, who had just as quietly followed

alnazement, naughty, reticent Archie
Beresford dropped his head in his hands
and fairly groaned.
"Oh, yes, do, Tom. | understand you
perfectly. I am even initiated one degree
further, for love girl, and she doesn't
love me-"
What more might have followed no one
can tell. for the door Of the sanctum open
ed to admit Jim, who drew back as he
said: ooh, l say, You fellows, | didn't
know you were here"
jim always said he was IN odd one in
the family. No chum but mother, he used
to say when little, as Tom and Archie
naturally went together, and the two
youngest paired of.
Something in Jim's distressed face made
the boys urge Him to come In. lie did so,
and took seat just between them on the
sofa and begged that they would continue
the GLOW of conversation" which his un-
timely presence had interrupted, adding
that Archie looked as though he WAS IN
| love too.
"And so | am" bitterly said Archie.
:EOh, Lord - shouted Jim, 81 am there
too," and Enthusiastically graspcd both Of
his brothers in his arms.
"Jim,' insisted Tom, "no nonsense for
ohce. Do let 60"
Nonsense! am in dead earnest. Have
been for three years, and the Lord knows
! how | am going 10 break it gently TO
mother" And the sweat streamed from
Jim's face. "Boys, let's go in abody ana
storm the CASTLE"
"rhe girls breaking with me has saved
me the trouble of breaking it to mother,
bitterly replied Archie; "she does not
love me any MORE"
go, yes shedoes, Arch; we'll make her.
And now that Jim's secret was confessed
to some one, he grew so lightIhcarted
that the boys suspected him of making
game of them. But Jim was in earnest,
and, as he told them, had been for three
wears. Ever since Nellie Brown, then
pretty girl of fifteen, had come to live
across the way, Jim's heart had been gone.
At first he did not mind it much, but rs
he did not get over it he began To wonder
If she cared for him, and just three weeks
ago he ended his suspense, and now-O,
If it wasn't for mother-Jim would be too
happy.
Come, nv beloved brethren, We must
bear it like men. We must meet mother
But, Jim, for heavens sake don't spring
it on her tonight; she can't bear any
more" and Tom led the way down to tn c
parlor, just rs Frank, who was growing
more like his father every day, was tell
inc his mother how much he liked Tom g
Gancc. lie declared he loved her well
enough to marry her himself, and said she
had more sense than all tho rest OF the
girls put together.
81 know it, my son. II Tom must marry,
of course there is no objection to her; but
why couldn't he waltz"
''rom is too young" said giddy Harry
The other boys were bound to encourage
the baby's attempts at wit, and after the
laughter at Toms expense had subsided
the chums went down street, leaving Jim
with his mother.
He was restless, and roamed ncrvously
around the room, upsettiDg 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 Il
woman who would refuse one of your
boys?" All! willy Jim knew that the
Jealous mothers love could not stand that,
and his mournful face ami tragic tones
did the rest. lie looked the grief he felt
for Archie, and Mother Beresford eX-
pressed her opinion of the woman insensi-
bic of the honor conferred OH her by one
OF her boys in very pronounced terms.
Having gained his point, he kissed his
mother and left for n call on Nellie Brown.
He speculated much rs 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 IL now.
Never mind; he will in time when Miss
Wbat's-her name comes to terms"
Next week Toms engagement was an
nounced. Mrs. Beresford bore il like
martyr, according to the baby, and really
seemed satisfied. For was IL 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 dis
carded lover before his mother.
But he resolved to keep his eyes open
and find out about Archie If possible, aud
looked toward the dancers, where Archie's
graceful form was to he seen. "Weli, Inc
doesn't care q straw about tire girl he's
dancing with. Let me look around bit.
Wonder If that performance worries Mir
ME Ross any? Arch used to like her. No,
it isn't Minnie" and the keen, blue eyes
roamed over the room. -1-..
"Ah, by Jupiter, it's Stella Graham,
anG she does love him too" rs .-
Surely Jim had grounds for the opinion.
Near tile door stood lovely lady with a
face white as death and eyes burning Ike
stars, aud they followed the graceful cou-
pie dancing with gaze that TO Jimmie
seemed despairing. 'tSome Internal mis-
understanding, he muttered, 1"and both
as proud rs Lucifer." sfs,.r rad -s...
lie went straight to Stella Graham, aud
before She had time to think had taken
her to the conservatory. Back OF. thIs
room was a small one, where Tom dill his