The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-04-29

badly as ever. Wen, / was dreadful pickle
nthe old days, but was hoping she had
forgotten all that"
:" I've no patience with herln said Mrs.
Benner, excitedly tanning herself. ITO
quarrel with her own bread and butter in
this sort of way"
Hortense colored fiery red
" l don't want him to provide for mel
said she. {" 1 will be dependent on no mans
charity-least of all, Tom'sP"
Well, declare % said Mrs. Benner.
And she carried the tidings straight to
Tom himself, who looked grave.
=" 1t is cruel of him TO hate and despise
me STILL" pondered Hortense "and won't
stay here, to be looked down upon and
scorned |"
Both of these silly young people made up
their minds at one and the same time.
Hortense packed her little trunk, crying
great salt drops into it; Tom flung few
necessariss into his valise, and then came
down stairs, two steps at a time.
Hortense," said he, twill you spare me
a few minutes ~
Just exactly," thought Hortense, like
The caliph Of some Eastern country order
ing his slaves around"
But she said
Oh, certainly-of counsel"
have been here six weeks now said
Tom, with courteous frigidity. "All my
mothers financial affairs are in perfect or
der. / have placed to her account in the
bank sufficient sum to provide for all her
wants and--yours."
won't touch cent of it I" flashed out
Hortense.
But Tom only frowned, and went on in
the same slow, calm way
And now have one last favor to ask Of
you. 1t is that you will break, as gently as
possible to my mother, the tidings that am
gone. sail to-day"
Hortense grew deadly white.
Sail !" she gasped. Sail where ?"
C Back to Nassau. Don't look so start.
led, Hortense hoped, when returned,
to remain here permanently; but | know
now that things are as bad as ever. You and
cannot live under the same roof My
mother will, perhaps, miss me little at
first, but"
oh, stop stop!" breathlessly cried
Hortense. Am to turn you this second
time out of your own home ?"
Home matters but little to me, one way
or the other" said Tom Byington, sadly.
I'm used to Robinson Crusoe kind OF
life. Perhaps it is better that should re.
turn to it,
Don't 60 back to Nassau, Toni" falter.
ed Hortense.
He set his handsome, well-cut lips firmly
together, and slightly shrugged his shout.
ders.
d" 1t is too late now, said he. my mind
is made up"
Please stay, Tom - sobbed Hortense
"For your mothers sake !"
+" II will be better for me to 90 back, {"
said Tom, with well-feigned indifference.
But as Hortense lifted her trimming eyes
TO his, in sort of pathetic pleading, there
was something in the expression of his face
that sent vague thrill through her. II
was last hopo; but yet-yet surely it was
worth trying
Tom," she whispered, hanging down
head, stay-for my sake I"
His eyes lighted up; he made step for
ward.
Hortense, do you want me to remain
here ?" he cried.
Yes, Tom !" she murmured, almost in
audibly.
He flung his hat across the room, kick.
cd his valise down stairs, and clasped Hor.
tense in his arms.
"Then," said he, I'm stay"
Mrs. Benner could not he made to COM.
prehend matters at ALL
They never could endure each other"
said she, "and now they're engaged to be
married, and you never saw couple 30 in.
fatuated in your life OF course I'm pleas.
ed, for Tom will be contented to stay here
now with me but can't understand it in
the least. And If ask Tom, he says he
don't know himself how it happened and
Hortense declares over and over again 1
love him 7 and that is all she will say. But
do hope he'll be happy at last--poor, dear
Tom l"-Heler Forrest Grdoes