Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-10-07

almost an old maid, aud l do believe
that I'm going to be one."
"Then it will be your own fault.
You've had more beaux than any other
girl in the neighborhood," said Tom,
evidently intending to get gallant"
Lefty flashed up.
81 know it," she said, with spirit;
q and I've been a great goose to wait so
long"
He looked up sharply, and in his turn
changed color.
81 don't know what you mean By
that, Lefty"
"I mean what 1 say" she answered,
lightly. "It I had had any sense, l
would have married long ago, like Susie
and Cousin Rosa. Aud don't mean to
wait until 1 grow old and gray-haired.
When my birthday comes around again,
l won't be Lefty Harper"
"who will you bel" inquired Tom,
gloomily.
81 don't know yet. I'm waiting for
the right man to come"
"well, hope you'll get one to suit
you," he replied, tearing open pea-pod
with such violence that all the little
green balls went racing about the floor.
Aunt Martha shook her head as she
tied her bonnet strings before the glass.
"Dear, dear those poor children wiz
revcr come to an understanding. It's
wonderful how stupid some otherwise
smart men can be when it comes 20 court
inpl somebody'll have to help 'em, or
it will be off soon, and that would be a
pity"
When she came down stairs, it was
evident that the cloud had By no means
cleared away.
Tom assisted her gravely into the
wagon, and for some moments they rode
in silence.
Then he remarked with a tiuge of bit
terness:
Lefty don't seem to be in a very
good humOr to-day"
"Ob, you mustn't take her at what
she says. rs often the way with girls
to say and do what they don't mean,
said Aunt Martha, soothingly.
"That is just what puzzles me. Inever
know how to take any of them-par-
ticularly Lefty. Sometimes l could al
most think she hates me from the way
she goes on"
"rYou mustn't talk that way, Tom. I
know she likes you, only she don't show
it."
"Well, I'll wait till she does show it"
he returned, doggedly.
And Aunt Martha shook her head
again, with a sigh.
How could this faint-hearted lover
ever be made to understand!
81 ought to tell you" she said, as
they drove up the principal street of the
little town, "why partic alarIy wanted
to come to-day. Thursday-that's the
dsy after to.morrow-will be Let,y's
birthday, and l want to choose her lit
tic birthday gift"
"That's a good idea. I'd like to do
the same myself, if l thought she'd be
willing to take present from me-"
ooh, I'm sure she'd be nightly
pleased at your remembering her."
And, encouraged by this assurance,
Tom accompanied the good lady into the
chief emporium, where she explained
their errand to the sleek haired clerk in
gorgeous neckte, who presided behind
the counter.
"How would apretty dress do, mem1"
he said, ,insinuatIngiy. "And fer the gen.
tleman, handsome album, or a piece OF
jewelryl We've got 'em of all kinds
earrings and bracelets, and finger rings
with genuine sets, and ct very low prices
from a dollar up"
"Bother the pricel" Tom exclaimed.
as the young man set before him velvet
lined tray glittcring with "sets" Of
every hue of the rainbow. "Give me
the best and prettiest ring in the lot"
| And then they fell to examining the
rings; and Tom admired an emerald one,
while Aunt Martha looked curiously at
another, the design of which was two
clasped hands set with a heart-shsped
ruby.
(which would Lefty like best, Mrs.
Bradleyl" he inquired, holding the IT,
rings side by side.
"Well, think this one, Thomas. l
know that red is her favorite color; and
I've heard that green's unIucky."
And Aunt Martha's eyes shoue with a
curious light, which Tom did not per-
ceive.
So the ruby ring was chosen, and the
sleek haired young man grinned to him
self as he turned away to do it up in a
neat little parcel
"They always fancy that | don't
know" was bis thought.