The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-26

fore and what nice mustache you've gotl Shouldn't have known you, Tom /"
 No ?" said Tom, roguishly.
 And you've grown SO tall-I declare, Tom, you re splendid p could return the compliment, if dared. But where are all the rest of the family5 The house below is as empty as haunted hall"
 "All gone to welcome that horrid, poky old Prof LaPlace who has gracious ly indicated his willingness to pass few weeks with us. Tom, do hate that pro. lessor"
 Hate him What for?
 "Oh, don't know, I'm sure. He's a snuff dried, conceited old wretch, and I'll wager box of gloves that he wears spectacles"
 "Nonsense, Maryl Why, he is only twenty-six"
 l don't care !; know he is rheumatic and wears spectacles for all that. And, Tom now if you'll never. never breathe word of this"
 "l won't, upon my word and honor," said Tom.
 "Well, then, papa has actually got the idea into his dear old head that l would make nice wife for the professor and"
 Mary turned away with crimson indig- nation flashing in her cheeks.
 1t is too bad of you to laugh, Tom. never, never will marry that manp
 "I wouldn't if were yon," consoled Tom. But, Mary, wait and see the man before you decide. He may be quite decent fellow"
 Mo-" said Mary, shaking her head and biting her cherry lips firmly. "I hate him beforehand"
 "What a spiteful little puss you are," said her companion, laughing No, Tom, I'm not" And the blue Ruth dearly, and love almost everybody like you, Tom but hate Prof. LaPlace And 1 want you to promise. Tom, tha. you'll be my friend, and not allow him to tease me into walks, or rides or tete-a. tetes of any kind. Will you2'
 Would he3 lf she had asked him to preclpitate himself out of the pear tree upon the steps below, with those blue eyes fixed on his, he'd have done it; any man of taste would.
 "I promise" he said, and they shook hands on it.
 What cosy place for a chat that gnarled old tree was.
 And when they had talked over every thing they could think of, it was the most natural thing in the world that Tom should recover the book which had slipped down into the network of tiny boughs, and read poetry to his pretty cousin in the deep musical voice that m aidens love to listen to.
 And Mary sat there watching the jetty curls blowing to and fro on his broad, white brow, and the long, black lashes almost touching his olive cheeks; and she thought how very, very handsome Cousin Tom was, how much he had changed in the last ten years that had elapsed since she had seen him, and she wondered whether Tom was engaged to any pretty girl somehow she hoped not. Now, why couldn't Tom have been rich like that horrid Prof. LaPlace, instead of poor medical student, and
 And when the large, black eyes were suddenly lifted to hers, Mary felt as though he had read every thought of her mind. and blushed scarlet.
 "Come, Tom," she chattered, to hide her confusion, "we've been up here long enough. Help me down and will show you the old sun dial that we used to heap up with buttercups when we were chil- dren."
 A rumble of wheels it was the return ing carriage, and Mary chung to Toms arm.
 !" The awful professor l" she whispered. "Now, Cousin Tom, be sure you stand by me through everything"
 "To my llfe's end" was the whispered answer.
 But there was no one in the carriage save MT. Thorne and Ruth. It drew up on the grand sweep beside the two cousins.
 Where's the professor
 "He was not at the depot" said Ruth sand"
 But MT. Thorne had sprung from the carriage and clasped both the strangers hands in his.
 "LaPlace, is it possible Why, VIC have just been looking for you at Milk station"
 "l am sorry have inconvenienced you. sir" was the reply; "but came by the way of Wharton, and walked over this morning."
 "Never mind now you are safely here," exclaimed the old gentleman. "Ruth, my dear Mary, let me introduce you to your cousin, Prof. LaPlace."
 Mary had dropped his arm, and stood dismayed.
 "You told me that you were Cousin Tom"
 "That is my name, and believe am distant cousin by relationship. Now, Mary" and the black eyes sparkled, "don't be angry because l don't take snuff or wear spectacies. beg the other Cousin Toms pardon, whoever he is but ! am very glad he isn't here. Mary, be just and don't hate Cousin Tom because his other name happens to be LaPlace."
 But no doubt it was very perplexing thing to have two Coasin Toms and SO, about six months subsequently, Miss Mary contrived to obviate by allowing one