The National tribune., 1892-01-07

"Pray don't speak Of me, Tom, as If were
an independent State. Your father, you know
hll well, has consigned YOU to perpetual seryi-
tude in roundabOuts; he has issued an embargo
against your beard. Ask him Tor gum mastic
or lolipops, and he would prove the most in
dulgent Of parents. But marriage at your age
Oh, no. As he grows younger so must youi IN
few years. you will reach the kindergarten.
Besides -
besides! Besides what2 know there's
reason lurking like postscript behind such a
farRgO."
"Iie doesn't object TO our intimacy. oh, no;
he approves of il, only you and he differ slightly
as TO its quality. Its mere question OF gen.
ealogy, that's all"
!" don't like riddles
why, most children do. Now, don't frown
so ominouslyi You might consume me by your
majesty as Jove did Semele, you know. Well,
TO pierce stupidity with acuteness, you honor
me by wishing me TO be your wife; your father
honors me by wishing me TO be your mother.
It's all in the family"
What! The old -
Hush! He is not so very old, either. Why,
IL was but the other day that i remarked 10
mother how dashing, vet distinguished, was
has bearing, SO different from the swagger OF the
boys Of to-day; aud then, be would be SO gal
liant so devoted ! don't know -
Tom sprang TO his feet crimson with wrath,
bursting almost 20 explosion with invectives
against the frailty Of woman. But that potent
little hand touched him--oh, so lightly. on the
arm; those deep, hazel eyes looked mp into his
without CLEAN Of mischief in their brilliancy.
So thus they stood for a moment in silence,
when the heavy portiers were thrust away on
either side, and Mr, Nubbns advanced as II to
the strains Of See, the Conquering Hero
Comes!" Yet candor must admit that he
pulled a little.
"CharmingIy admitted and charmingly
caught you little Toguel" he blurted, with
caper Of elcphantne playfulness. " i heard II
all, beard il all! la, ha! Well well, felt u
must be so. We've understood each other all
along, haven't we, dear2 And to think you
would conhde il TO my son when j was about TO
boseech il on my knees! Well, well, young
maid must tell her love, and TO whom better
than a childl But run along, now, Tommy.
Remember, early to bed. Dream Of your new
mamma, and perhaps Santa Claus will bring
you New Years gift. And that reminds me,
my darling g"--
And here Mr. Nubbins painfully reached his
coat tail pocket and drew out the velvet case.
But Tommy" did not run along. lie stood
erect, with folded arms, pale, indignant, deter
mined. And Ruth shrank from the eager grasp
OF the glowing Mr.. Nubbins aud clung 10 Tom,
patting his bTawny arm, oh, so reassuringly!
with that potent white hand. Could one 50
mirthful, so willul as she be dignifed, be stern2
She could, and she was
" You are deceived, Mr.. Nubbins," she began
with clear cut distinctness that halted his
adipose advance into unmoying awkwardnessi
you are deceived by a few poor testing words
OF mine. ] have never thought Of you except
as very kind guardian and friend. j have
loved Tom since he and / were little children
together. lam his promised wife, Think how
natural IL is that this should be So Forget
what you have said. aud we will forget Twill
be your devoted daughter, and we shall be oh,
SO happy together"
Mr.. Nubbins no longer put1ed he snorted
Tom The young jackaBapes Absurd,
prepostcr0us! lie deserves the birch, and shall
get 10, too Ruth, don't throw away your
chance ln life. Think what ] ofcr-wealth,
position, jewels, the control Of my household,
the companionshp Of man like me-"
But Ruth shook her curly head, and then
rested u coutentedly Oh Toms mighty chest
Mr. Au5bIHs's c0untcnance riyaled in YER
million the impO-5Ih Die rose upon which he stood.
HIS wastcoat creakcd from agitation. lie ac-
tually shook bis fist at the devoted pair.
Boy, leave the room this instant or I'll
chastise you! l-l-dsinhcrit you Ny home
Is yours no longer. Go forth and starve in the
byways aud hedges! Aud as for you. my lady,
have care ] am your guardian, mind you,
armed with the power Of the law. You can't
to4uet WIN "a man OF my standing. You
nave encouraged me, you know you have,
Come, now, be sensible, and III overlook your
folly. Ill give you another chance!"
over Ruth's face swept successive waves Of
amusement, scOrn, aud contempt, an blending
as he finished into a lool; Of gentle raillery.
i love TOm," She softly replied, "as ! have
said. Besides and here the sparkle amid the
hazel foretod mischief" you would be en-
hrely out OF the question under any circum-
stanccs.p
Why hiss?" thuudcrcd Mr. Nubbins.
You are too old and-aud-too-too fat"
Ruth faltercd And then she laughed, aud so
did Tom, as the heavy curtains swung back
over the hasty retreat Of one who had entered
50 triumphautly.