Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-03-11
III.

80
In the twilight June and her mother
were sitting. Juno WAS by the window,
trying To worl. in the fading light.
"Comc here. my darling," said her
mother. Il want to talk to you. 1t is
about Tom"
HAS he hccn talking to you:' cried
June. flushing up. How unfair of him.
He promised me not In say Il word to amy
one for six months"
"lpo You want to have amy secrets from
me-" asked Mrs. Rivers gently.
but" said June. in Il troubled voice,
"how can | promise anything when l do
not know my w mind! l like hiln-l
am very fond of llim-l wish he WAS my
ibrotfcr: but l am sure" with Il little in
voluntary shudicr, that l do not love
him.
1t MAS impossible to approach the sub
jcct of Tom amy 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, aud 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 10 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 crestfallen;
he had expected wonders ircsn the inter
ccssion of .!une'S mother; indeed. lie had
almost dared 10 hope that June would he
waiting with smiles and bushes and her
mind prepared In accept him. Now he
WAS absolutely not one step nearer than
before. June had already promised that
six months lcnrc She would consider tho
matter: ii WAS the thought of that harass-
ing delay, and the uncertainty nj the end
OF it. which had prompted his appeal to
Mrs. Rivers. He was lrcadiully morti-
fed ut what she told him.
Mrs. Rivers felt for him-fclt. too. as il
she had been 10 blame in not having been
II more successful mediator.
"Nou must remember, Tom" she urged,
gently. that June is only eighteen, and
has seen nothing of life yet"
II suppose ii will never be" he said. ut
last. turning with II sigh that seemed to
rcnd his broad chest.
Il should he sorry if | thought so." an
swcrcd Mrs. Rivers. softly. But" with
an encouraging smile. II cannot share
your gloomy vicws.'
rs there anything in the world l could
do to make her like me- he said.
"You will be rather surprised if l tell
you what your best plan would be-
"What:-cagcrly.
TRY not to let her see that YOU are so
devoted to her."
Il could not act IL part" he answered.
".And surely deceit is not the way to IL
good woman's heart"
Not long aftcrward Tom took his leave.
He was going to the rcctory to ask his
aunt to give him some luncheon; he could
not keep way from June amy more than
the moth can help circling round the light.
AT first he walked slowly and with down
cast eyes. but. as he drew nearer the spot
where his love was. his feet in~voluntarily
stepped out faster and hope began to
smooth his ruitlcd brow. just within the
gate he net Agnes, basket and scissors in
hand. cutting flowers. She smiled ut him
very swectly. for she had two smiles. one
when she was really pleased and happy
and another when she WAS spiteful or an
noycd and wished to conceal her feelings
II am 50 glad you have come. she said
and pulled off II garden glove to give him
her hand. "You won mind holding this
basket for me, will yong
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 thai sh,
was fond of him in something more than {:
cousinly way: so he was especially care
full not to slight her.
by the way he remarked. II hav.
brought you and Madge IL fairing from
London. l may as well give you your.
now.' And he produced Il gold bangl,
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
deTng what he had brought June; for. i
June's present were handsomer or ~costlicr
it would take all the pleasure out of hers
PUT it OH my ARM she said: and then
looking III and letting Il little tremor stea
into her voice, she murmurcd:
"You know, dear Tom, how l shall priz,
this"
"Oh," replied Tom, brislly, sit is quit,
n tritle. 1 am glad you like it. III 20 an,
find Madge and give her hers"
Tom hurried to the spot where June an,
Madgc were playing lawn tennis. Madc,
greeted him with loud welcome. June wa.
a trife distant. She wished him to know
that she was displcascd ut his having nrc
sumcd to speak to her mother, and he no
ticed the change in her manner. gucsse,
the cause of it, and. foolish fellow, wa.
much cast down and humbled.
Here, Madge," he said. presenting hi
offering-"hcre is something for you fron
London"
Madse uttered n scream OF delight, and
without further ceremony, flung her arm
round her cousin and kissed him.
'Oh, you dear, sweet, delicious Tom!
she cried. Glow truly heavenly of you
/ will never. never take it off as long n
live, not even to wash, and it shall b
buried with me-" Then, with s~tartlin,
,%suddenness, What have you given Ag
nes-and Junc?" And she caught boil
June's wrists to see IL either were similar
~ adorned.