Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-03-04

fighting with his difidence, half conquered
it, and went ON. II am getting SO unset.
tied. 1 did not feel it so much before /
vent away, but now l feel as if 1 mus,
have something to go upon. Do you-do
you," imploringly, think she cares Mt all
for me?-do you think she will marry me
some day?'
Tom had the most sympathetic listener
Mrs. Rivers felt for him, and knew wha;
he felt, but she would not say n wore
more than she conscicntiously could.
My dear boy" she answered him, not
without Il certain amount of hesitation in
her tone, II know exactly how you feel,
What you say is perfectly just and fair
l don't think / need tell you how glad !
should he to have you for II son there is
no man in the world to whom l would sc
gladly give my darling. You have not
said anything to June since you came
back, have you?
81 tried to last night, but she wouldn't
have it; she stopped me ut once"
Mrs. Rivers paused Il moment, then
looking UP at him, said:
will you leave it to me? Shall I try
and find out what her feelings for you
are? You know girls, especially girls who
have been brought up quietly in the coun.
try like June, require rather delicate
treatment in the nature of their affec.
tions.'
YES" replied Tom, %ruefully.
'Thcn take my advice, and do moi
breathe IL word to her OH the subject this
afternoon. ! will talk to her tonight,
mud Cn,, will .n,,,n o,J cnn mn tn.n,o,,.n,y
ut twelve. when she will be away"
And here the form of Miss June was
seen tripping by the window, and the next
moment she came in like a: ilood of sun
shine.
Have You brought my present. Tom|
she asked. as soon as she had greeted him
and kissed her mother. II have been
quite absent all the time of. my singing
lesson. wondering and trying 10 guess
what it could be-"
Then Tom, Il little bit nervous how his
Offering would he received. produced Il
small parcel from his pocket. Miss June,
cliattcring all the time, dcftly unfoldcd
the various wrappers, and then brought
her lips tn II very round o, and looked
UP with slistcning eyes.
"Oh. Tom. oh. misunderstanding it to
her mother. "lt is too handsome. l must
not have it. must IL
Il do not know what In say answered
Mrs. %tivers. smiling. She felt that it de.
pended entirely on circumstances wiicth
or June might keep and wear SO valuable
Il trinket.
The present was Il large gold locket.
with IL hirrogiyph intended for June in
diamonds in the center.
why not!' cried Tom. who had been
expecting II rcmonStralce. 1T is quite
simple. Besides. you must have it. 1t
wouldn't do for anyone else. 1t has got
June en- it. and nobody else is called
June but YOU"
lit is beautiful smiled Mrs. Rivers,
.and does the greatest credit to Toms
tastc.'
Tom WAS looking at his bcloved's eyes
and lips; nothing could cmbcllish her to
his mind.
II suppose l must take it off again.
said the girl, wistfully: but Tom cried,
NO. no. no." and her mother said:
You might, Mt all events, Wear it Il
little longer"
And all this time" uttered Tom,
.you." to Mrs. Rivers. "hive not seer
your present." And he dashed out into
the little hall. and produced IL good-sized
parcel this time. 1t was a; pretty velvet
and gilt screen for photographs, :lld Mrs.
Rivers MAS as much pleased with hcl
offering as June had been.
"Now. TnM.'' cried the girl. with dane.
ing eyes. II want To hear all about Lon,
don-all-cvery1hing."
Il tell you what it is. June. l hate Lon.
,1n,, c,,int ,-fIlaIn iS Sn 1nIlnh Shl,, m.
m~ake-bclirvc about it: no one seems To be
sincere. or to care tn be real and honest;
they only want to take cach other in by
prctcmding.
And your cousin. Mr.. Broke. is a most
accomplished p~rctendcr:'
My mother says he's perfect"
IL know ] shall hate him." said June,
cmphatically.
"Oh. no, you won't. He's a thorough
good chap. Besides. it's different with
him. He's Il Guardsman, and goes in FOL
society. so he must make himself popular.
And. by George! he does, too. l only
hope to goodness" looking suddenly at
| June, ..that-that-"
Then he flushed crimson, and turned
away his face.
"That what?' inquired June, with al
innocent air.
Nothing" replied Tom.
(To be continued.