The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-09

TITS Tom," moaned Content "Iam
sure he was going to say something to
me Inst night, but somehow he could
never manage it, and he will never
speak now. Mother, would it be very
wicked not to tell anybody about the
money at present? Surely it wouldn't
be difficult to keep it n secret about
this new will for timer"
And deceive Tom? My dear Con-
tent! And what about the explann-
tion and confessing the truth? Would
he respect you, or could you respect
yourselfP If Tom really loves you, he
won't let your money keep you and
him apart"
Another man might not. but Tom
Will" persisted Content You will
see, mother"
And Mrs. Weston did see. Edith
came in after breakfast and, after
learning the news, carried it home.
and Tom came no more.
u don't want to hurry you, dear"
said Mrs. Weston one day, tbut don't
you feel that we ought to be thinking
of leaving this placer There is Uncle
Antony's house standing empty and
waiting for us, and your presence is
really needed in London while they
make these final arrangements"
Yes, suppose we must go" said
Content, moving abruptly to the win
dow.
She stood for some minutes looking
out, and then turned and said in a
tone OF strong resolution Give me
this one afternoon, mother lam go
ing to do something dreadful"
MY dear childr' demonstrated her
mother.
You sce," continued Content,
Fired wouldn't marry me because
was poor, and now Tom won't marsv
me because L am rich, SO L must do
something myself"
DO be careful, dear"
Yes, mother, l will. have thought
it all over, and 1 don't think it would
be right to leave things like this. l
love Tom, and l am sure he loves me.
If it was some misfortune which
parted us, could bear it; but this
wrctched moneys"
Later in the afternoon, Tom Barn
ard, coming back through the fields
from q long round, caught sight of
crossed the stream. The slight figure
leaned over the hand-rail and the
fluffy golden curls were unmistal1able.
and Toms heart began to beat tumultu-
ously. He had carefully kept out of
Contents way since the news of her
fortune had come, and he had hobed
desperately that she might depart
without his having to bid her farewell.
lie made q tremendous effort to np.
pear cool and unconcerned, but his
voice shook when he began to speak
"How do you do, Miss Weston? It's
IA nice day for walk, isn't it?"
1t was damp, dismal afternoon,
and the observation was therefore
scarcely appropriate. Content, who
had been dropping stones into the wa
ter, turned round suddenly with q
wildly beating heart and very white
face.
1T rained this morning." was tho
only thing she could find to say; but
the sight of her face had changed the
current of Toms thoughts.
81 say, do hope you haven't been
ill.," he said, hurriedly. you ought to
have n change. But you are going
away, aren't you?"
YES, we are going away" said Con-
tent. 81 don't caro- much for the vii
lage now. Everything is SO different"
you mean that you find the people
behave differently to you because OF
your money!" he asked.
Eyes, horribly different" said Con-
tent, cnergetically, throwing n stone
down the stream us far as it would 60
Edith will be awfully lonely with
out you," he said. 1T has always
been a joke in our house that she
cared less for any of us than for Sweet
Content"
"Oh, please don't use that name any
more" cried Content. Il am going to
change, and be called Gloriana. The
other is not applicable. I'm not con-
tented at ALL
'But you have every -advantage, "
pursued Tom, awlwardly, his hungry
eyes fixed upon her averted face.
81 haven't" she flashed out 81
wish 1 was living in the old times,
when men were brave and things were
nice"
And men are not brave now?" he
asked, as chcerfully as he could.
"Bravc? Mo-" cried Content, turn
ing an indignant face upon him.
''They are afraid of what people will
say, and they let the thought of that
ruin girls life"
IL don't think you are quite fair
to me, Content" he said, with diff
Guilty. II gave you up because OF
your money, and it was very hard"
did 1 ever ask you to give me up?'
cried Content. "Was it my fault that
the money came? Why should you
punish me for it? Isn't it bad enough
to have lot Of money thrust upon