The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-12
TOM MARVIN'S WAY.

blOO0 d1OuAO d StOf0 LII b4S DdSG1uoAt VI q
large wholesale house; 81 say, have you
heard she news?''
mo" said Tom; ST have heard no
news. What is its''
"Why," said two or three of the group,
"Julia Elme is engaged to be married"
Tom started visibly, in spite of certain
sturdy flxity that belongs to him, and his
associates exchanged sundry sly winks.
eyes, said one young fellow insinuat-
ingly, "she is engaged, and I call it good
news. "Julia Ellne is nice girl. Don't
you think it good news, TOMB"
''Well, 1 should say not" said Tom
stoutly, and walked away.
That was a little too much for them,
with all their knowledge of Toms peeul-
lar way. They looked at each other blank
ly for little while, and not quite as COM
fortably as few minutes before. One Of
them expressed his mind in long, low
whistle, and another said, ''Well, I thought
he would weaken at that anyway" Be it
said here that it was in association with
the same girl that Tom had perpetrated
ono of his singular veracities during his
stay at a resort on small lake the previ-
GUS summer, and the story had transpired
in some way. Tom had declined all invita-
lions and suggestions to join in the excur-
sions, picnics and such like gayeties of the
other guests at the hotel, and one evening
Miss Elme asked him why he SO secluded
himself. Because have no money" said
Tom bluntly. The young girl flushed pain
fully.
"Oh, don't be troubled said Tom
kindly; ''you have done no harm with
your question. 1t does look a little odd
that keep so away from everything. But,
you see, I have just enough money to pay
my vacation of two weeks here and get
back to the city, with a margin of precise
ly quarter Of a dollar. So can have no
extras"
81 think, Mr.. Martin-that is perhaps"
- began Miss E1me slowly.
mo-" Tom interrupted, 'no one can
give me anything, or loan me anything, or
make deadhead of me. But would like
to spend that quarter of a dollar for a boat
ride on the lake this minute, Miss Elme,
if you will go with me-
Uncertain whether she were moro
amused or more touched, the girl accepted
the invitation and had occasion to remem-
Der that little excursion happily, for Tom
could tall well, and she had a quick imag
ination, and the moonlighted stiffness was
a good habitation for both thoughts and
fancies. And Tom, who had often looked
at her with respectful interest began to
love her from that hour. Her hands, her
exceedingly truthful and gentle gray eyes,
and mouth which, though not perfectly
shaped, was sensitive and expressive, were
the only features noticeably pretty about
the girl, but she had pervading charm
which made one think of Emerson say
ing, "Thero is no beauti1er of complexion
or form or behavior like the wish to scat
ter joy and not pain about u.s."
Tom betook himself straightway from
the disconnected jokers to Miss Elme's
oh nd M he int he
girl S presence than he began, without pref
acc:
"Miss Elme, have been told that you
are engaged to be married and have come
to ask you whether it be true?''
The girls start and flush disturbed Tom
not at all. He was simply intent on the
facts in exactly the Same natural way that
the atmosphere is accepted when flowing
in an open window.
After long pause, to abate which Tom
proffered no help Miss Ellne said:
"You are asking q strange question,
and very abruptly, Mr.. Marvin"
Eyes, said Tom.
at seems to be a matter in my own pri-
vate life
YES said Tom again.
"Well," said tho girl at last, somewhat
amused, 81 don't know why 1 should not
answer you if please, but I think ought
to know your motive in asking before I
trust you with the information
Tom paled little at the word s'infor-
nation, but said again simply, Eyes
"Weu," the girl said wonderingly, after
another long pause, "what is your motiveP
What has happened? Why do you wish to
know?"
Because myself want you, /" said Tom.
Fearfally blunt; very inelegant. But
Tom, you know, was no diplomat, and at
that moment every feeling and pulse in
him went its natural way and took the
shortest course without reflection OF sense
of proportion.
After a little the surprised and moved
girl said softly, but with not quite a
steady voice:
"Then why have you not told me be-
foreP''
Because I am poor"
"That is not a good reason
"You are right. The two facts together
make good reason"
~ am not rich. have just small sub
sistence-a bare Independence.
"Any independence is riches, - said Tom.
The girl replied to this remark by an
ingenious look of admiration. Then there
was a silence, in which Tom was as obsti-
nate as before, but he was PALE and his
expression wholly unassuming. Then the
girl, who had an originality and direct
ness of her own not unworthy of Tom s.
arose and said quietly: 'Well, will an
swer your inquiry honestly. I am not en-
gagged, but 1 think shall be-" And Tom
a shade paler than before, withdrew with
out word
After he had gone the girl cried little.
Then, with misty eyes, she sat down at
her window, which, though in the city,
commanded view of one large tree that
had become very companionable to her.
Then she began to examine herself, which
process she continued for week, with in
tervals of deliberately turning and fixing
her mind to other matters, for she knew
that the eye must not stare too long at any
object which it would see plainly. Then
she wrote to Tom as follows: my friend,
told you was not rich, which was true.
But even then 1 was beginning to grow
rich. have made some progress, but can
! go no farther without your add