The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-03-05
CHAPTER I.
"Juna' June' where are YOU ?


and the owner of it trips out from behind
a rosebush, holding cluster of half
blown crimson blossoms of which she has
despoilcd it.
June, the month, links spring to sum
mer; in June the birds sing their sweetest,
the senses are keenest; June bears the
hope and promise OF the year. June has
hot fits and cold fits, summer skies and
angry tears, balmy airs and chilling winds.
June is young and fresh, bright and hope
full, gay and careless in the faith of good
days to come; June, when fair, is fairest
OF the fair; and June the month is fit
prototype Of June the smiling maiden who
answers so promptly.
Madge, a hoylen of sixteen, pounced
upon her cousin, thrust vigorous hand
through her arm, and cried, in jubiant
accents:
Tom has come. OF course he asked
for you at once, and Aggie said she
thought you had gone home; but l said |
knew You hadn't. and that | would find
you; whereupon Tom beamed.'
BY this time they were half across the
lawn. and a big, fair young mar came
striding out of the French windows to
NEE them. He looked, as Madge said,
eyes as he took June's hand in an eager
clasp. No one, seeing the expression of
his face, would have entertained mo-
ments doubt to his feelings for the
youn, lady whom he was greeting.
II am so glad you have come back, Tom.
1t was 50 dull without YOU
June did not blush, nor look coy or en-
barrassed. which was, perhaps, rather an
unfavora bic symptom for Tom.
WAS it, he cried, eagerly. I'm aw
fully glad TO hear you say that"
well" cried Madge. has aunt found
a dukes daughter for you, and are we go
ing to have ii real swell cousin!
They won't have me-" laughed Tom.
Il don't suit them. | am not their sort.
Fashionable young ladies don't care for
me. l can't dance and l can't talk their
jargon.'
Never mind, Tom," uttered June, Civ
ing him a friendly glance. You have
come back to people who appreciate you.
And l am sure you are happier here"
Il should think l am!' returned Tom,
with emphasis.
Poor aunt" remarked Madge again,
mischievously, pretending to sigh.
My mother had Dal,' answered Tom,
lauSnlnS, ana lie Is t&actlI d1ttf HeE own
heart"
But he is not her SON. said June.
What is he like" asked Madgc.
Hes a very good-looking young chap,
and very manly md plucky. And he
dances like seraph,' as some lady re
marked, and looks at every pretty woman
as if he loved her"
How delightful"' cried Madge. ooh,
Tom, | wish you would have him down
here
HE has promised to come. He is real
lv tremendously fond of my mother. l
feel quite an outsider when he is there"
At this moment Agnes came out of the
window, smiling, yet scarcely looking
plea sed.
Mamma says, Tom, will you stay and
have high tea with us? She is afraid it
will not be very good substitute for
your dinner, but we shall be delighted if
you will
Tom felt himself rather in a cleft stick.
If June were going 10 stay, he would ac
cept joyfully; if not. he wanted to walk
home with her. and he was not altogether
Indifferent to his dinner when there was
no object to be gained by going without
it. Yet he would not for the world be i'm
polite TO Agnes and Madgc, though they
were his cousins. He hcsitatcd for an
instant.
June is not going to stay tonight" in
terposed Madge, reading his thoughts
with her sharp instinct.
Tom flushed crimson through his fair
skin: June tried to appear unconscious,
and Agnes closed her thin lips together,
and looked as if she would like to pinch
her sister.
Thanks, awfully," said Tom, after n
moments pause. but there are one or two
people | ought to see tonight. dare say
my aunt will let me come another night
instead. Is she in the drawing room?
will so in and see her." And he marched
off
Agnes wanted to get June away before
Tom came out again. She was eternally
trying to separate this pair, although she
knew that Tom was deeply in love with
her cousin. But she had heard that. when
woman is firmly purposed to marry q
man, she not unfrequently succeeds, and
she had long ago determined to marry
Tom, if there was any truth in the saying
June saw through this and was provoked
ut it. She was not in love with Tom; but
when any one attempted to put obstacles
between him and her. her regard for him
went up with amazing rapidity.
She particularly wanted him to walk
home with her tonight. but, as she was
far too proud to run after him. she said:
Il must he going. l did not know it
was SO late
Give my love to auntic," Agnes called
after her. sweetly.
June did not reply or SO much as turn
her head. which she held very straight up
in the air. She would not condcscend to
linger even when she got into the road be
Ing possessed of that strong instinct of
self-respect which prevents proud wOm-
an from seeming to make the smallest ad-
vance To a man. She had not, however
gone three hundred yards before she
heard rapid steps behind her, and in an
other moment. Tom, flushed and breath
less. was beside her.
why did you go without saying good
by TO me- he asked. reproachfully.
ut is late and mamma will be waiting"
answered June: not that she desired to
screen Agnes from Toms displeasure. but
because her dignity forbade her to tell him
how she had been hurried away.
Il can't tell you" he said, with immense
emphasis. how utterly delighted | am to
get back"
Il am delighted" answered June, snlil-
ing up in his face.
And have you thought" trying 10
check his ca agerness-"hsve you thought
rhether-whether you could give ne
cope"
You promised" returned June, dush-
ing little aud affecting al air OF dis
pleasure, not to say another word about
that for at least SIX months. Tel ne
about Inninn I am sure YOU mus have