The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-03-12

CHAPTER III.

In the twilight June and her mother
were sitting June was by the window,
! trying to work in the fading light.
| Come here, my darling said her
mother. II want to talk to you. 1t is
about Tom
Has he been talking to you?" cried
| June, flushing UP. How unfair of him
| He promised me not to say word to any
| one for six month";
| DO you want to have any secrets from
me:' asked Mrs. Rivers gently.
| But, said June, in a troubled voice,
"hOw can l promise anything when l do
not know my own mind? l like him-l
am very fond of him-I wish he was my
! brother; but l am sure" with little in
voluntary shudder, that l do not love
| him."
| 1t was impossible to approach the sub
| ject of Tom any more that evening, but,
as Mrs. Rivers had invited him to come
and hear the result of her embassy, she
felt it absolutely necessary to have some
| thing to tell him. She therefore attacked
the subject when June came into her room
next morning. and the result of the inter
view was that June promised to weigh
and consider the matter seriously for the
next few months, and that on Christmas
day she would either consent to be en-
gagged to Tom, or would finally tell him
that he must abandon all hope.
Tom came to the Rose Cottage in the
highest spirits and went away crcstfallen;
he had expected wonders from the inter
cession of June's mother; indeed, he had
almost dared to hope that June would be
waiting with smiles and bushes and her
mind prepared TO accept him. Now he
was absolutely not one step nearer than
before. June had already promlse, that
six months hence she would consider the
/ matter; it was the thought of that haraSS-
ing delay. and the uncertainty at the end
of it, which had prompted his appeal to
Mrs. Rivers. He was dreadfully morti-
fed at what she told him.
Mrs. Rivers felt for him-felt, too, as if
she had been to blame in not having been
a more successful mediator
You must remember, Tom," she urged,
gently, that June is only eighteen, and
has seen nothing of life yet"
Il suppose it will never be- he said, at
last, turning with n sigh that seemed TO
rend his broad chest.
Il should be sorry if I thought So an
swered Mrs. Rivers, softly. But" with
an encouraging smile, Il cannot share
your gloomy views
rs there anything in the world ! could
do to make her like me-" he said.
you will be rather surprised if | tell
you what your best plan would be-"
What?'-eagerly.
Cry not to let her see that you are so
devoted to her.
Il could not act a part he answered
md Jc IN
good woman's heart
Not long aftcrward Tom took his leave
| He was going to the rectory to ask his
aunt to give him some luncheon; he could
not keep away from June any more than
the moth can help circling round the light
At first he walked slowly and with down
cast eyes, but, as lie drew nearer the spot
where his love was, his feet Involuntary
stepped out faster and hope began to
smooth his rutiled brow. Just within the
gate he met Agnes, basket and scissors in
hand, cutting flowers She smiled al him
very sscetly, for she had two smiles one
when she was really pleased and happy
and another when she was spiteful or an
/ moved and wished to conceal her feelings
Il am so glad you have come, she said
and pulled off a garden glove to give him
her hand You won't mind holding this
basket for me, will you!
Tom took the basket. He always felt
obliged to do what Agnes asked, because
utterly devoid Of vanity though he was,
he could not help being aware that she
was fond of him in something more than a
cousinly way; so he was especially care
full not to slight her.
by the way" he remarked. Il have
brought you and Madge a fairing from
London. | may as well give you yours
now" And he produced a gold bangle
wrapped in tissue paper.
ooh, Tom, how kind you are" said Ag-
mes You never forget any one. How
beautiful. 1t is really too much.'
But all the time she was jealousy Won
dering what he had brought June; for. If
June's present were handsomer or costIier.
it would take all the pleasure out of hers
Put it on my arm" she said; and then.
looking up and letting little tremor steal
into her voice, she murmured:
You know, dear Tom how l shall nrize
this
oh" replied Tom, briskly, at is quite
a trife. | am glad you like it. III go and
find Madge and give her hers"
Tom hurried to the spot where June and
MaLge were playing lawn tennis Madge
greeted him with loud welcome. June WAS
n tritle distant. She wished him to know
that she was diSplcased at his having nre
srmed to speak to her mother. and he no
ticcd the change in her manner. guessed
the cause of it, and. foolish fellow, was
much cast down and humbed.
Hero, Madge,' he said, presenting his
offering -'here is something for you from
London
Madge uttered scream Of delight. and
without further ceremony. flung her arms
round her cousin and kissed him.
"Ch. you dear, sweet. delicious Tom
she cried. How truly heavenly of you,
| Will never, never take it off as long as
| live not even to wash, and it shall be
buried with me-" Then. with startling
suddenness, What have you given Ag-
nes-aud june And she caught both
June's wrists TO see if either were similar
~ adorned.
Tom brought me n locket," said June,
bushing little.
1t had been decided by her mother that
she might keep il, but had better not
wear it for the present.
Then, why haven't you got il on, Won
ungrateful wretch" cried Nadge Or"
>uspiciou>ly. perhaps you have, inside
your fTock'
Toms heart beat q shade faster. How
he would like 10 think OF his Offering ly-
ing nesting against her fair neck.
But June shook her head.
CHAPTER ".
One morning. about a fortnight later.