The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-05-09

growled Tom. "He's puppy suppose
be answers her, but ia like to punch his
head for my amusement. They're coming
this way. Nows my time to produce
sensation"
The waves were tumbling in on the
beach. Tom threw his hat ont among
them, knowing they would wash it H., aud
that the couple coming toward him would
be quito sure to see it on the sand. Then
he hid behind a rock.
81 haven't seen Winters come back yet"
Miss Stafford was saying, when they came
within hearing distance.
She's thinking about me" said Tom
land that shows she's-she's it
shows she's thinking about me, anyway il
IL doesn't show anything olso,' and this
was some consolation to the poor fellow.
Perhaps they won't recognize the hat as
mine, but if / keep shady tonight aud the
boat is found. then they'll think I must be
lost and VOL see what she'll say"
ole may have been cast away on some
island along the shore, laughed Jack De-
we're. Maybe he'll turn hermit, and end
his days and troubles there"
81 hone not said Miss Stafford "for If
that should happen | should never know
what that something particular was that
he wanted to say TO me- Then she laughed,
snd the sound of her meirment made the
listeners cars iinglo.
Poor fellow w said Devere: but his tone
didn't seem to have as much pity in it as
his words did you're really too hard on
MIN. What's that at your feet, Janet? A
hat, isn't itY'
sure enough" said Miss Stafford, stoop-
ing to pick 1t up. why Jack, ] do be-
liovo it's Tom Winters for here's bunch
of blackberry leaves sticking in the band,
and | remember giving him some | had
gathered yesterday lie begged so hard
for them that | couldn't refuse him. Oh,
Jacl; do you suppose he's drowned ~
az wouldn't wonder at all if he was"
answered Jack. II made Toms blood run
cold TO hear his rivals mattor-oC.fact tone,
"He was perfect muf with a boat, and
never ought to have been allowed two
rods from shore in one
~ hope he isn't drowned" said Miss
Stafford aud Tom listened delightedly to
the sigh that accompanied the words. 1t
proves that she must care something for
him.
Just wait till she hears of the boat"
chucklcd Tom. 81 presume she'd give way
10 her feelings now, over the hat, if he
wasn't by"
Poor Tom
"Oh, Jack - exclaimed Miss Stafford, a
moment later, "if he is drowned | shall
never listen to that something particular
shall I?' and then she laughed.
Tom could hardly credit his senses.
Looking at il from their standpoint, in all
probability he WAS dead. And yet she
could laugh.
"Heartless creature" thought Tom, dis
gusted with all the world. 81 wouldn't
have believed it Of her. She didn't care
two buttons for me- What COMPOUNDED
fool I've been. | wish somebody'd kick
me-"
81 don't want gentlemen saying some
thing particular to my promised wife,"
said Jack, and then he kissed Miss Stafford
and she kissed him back, and said she'd
do lust as he thought best, only il was
such fun to bother the silly fellow"
His promised wife
Tom didn't want to hear anything more
He didn't want to see anything more He
had heard and seen enough already.
II don't know but we'd better go back
aud got some one to turn out and look for
Winters he heard Jack say.
"They needn't bother themselves about
me" thought Tom, making his way up tho
rocks as fast as he could. I'm afraid, Tom
Winters; you've made great fool of your
self, and that your experiment was fail
ure. And yet, after all" he added, as he
stopped to take breath on the summit of
the cliff, 't wasn't, for now you've found
ont what she thinks of you"
1t Is hardly necessary to say that TOMS
Something particular" was never said at
least, never to Miss Stafford. - Chicago
Ledger.