Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-09-26
5. Tom assured him. Z started it

do YOU really mean to marry her
Hobart?n asked Tom, who had
cen an amused witness of this little
nat between his wife and her broth
r. She waited TO hear the front
Ioor shut, then smiled and touched
finger TO her lips.
ITO jim" she whispered, and
lassed the finger from her lips TO his.
Il see" genially, "and III join the
anne"
"oh. will you?" rather startled.
How"
'Tn be one of the rivals. a mar
led man can get very much in the
way when he wants to-"
"But, Tom, ii really isn't necessary.
With Jim in the lead, there'll be rivals
mough.
"The more the merrier," gayly. '1'll
lelp."
Its ever so good of you," said Mrs.
Tom, and hummed little tune in the
pause that followed.
About two weeks later Jim was
lurrying along the sidewalk one day
when Mrs. Toms trap drew up along
tide.
Il was going to you" he said, as
lie stepped in, with news"
"News?"
"Yes. Hobart is meeting your ex-
pectations. We happened in at the
iorist's together, and he grinned SO
Extensively that judge you may feel
quite sure of him."
"You were both ordering flowers
or that girl?"
"You don't suppose that | am going
o back down for a cad like Hobart
10 your
"But you look and talk as If be
we're successful"
"Well," sullenly, "T'll not take his
rin for it,"
Mrs. Tom faltered a bit over her
leNt question.
Isis anyone else in the running,
10 you think"
"No: unless You're not quarrel
ne with Tom about anything, are
Tou?"
Hes in the plot" with a faint
augh.
"Aets his part" dryly' pretty
WE'LL"
"He does everything WELL" said
Mrs. Tom. but she was pale.
HE pays a good price for orchids,
.oo."
"He was at the florists with you?"
"He was. And his grim sull<ily,
was very like Hobart's; and he went
off humming that idiotic jingle:
" The lion and the unicorn
Fighting for a crown;
Up jumps little dog
And knocks them both down"
"Tom is so bright" said Mrs. Tom.
To which Jim grunted, and the drive
was finished in silence.
That night Miss Everton went TO her
hostess for bit OF confidence; she
was prettily flushed and shy.
''You persuaded me-" she began, "to
iet Mr.. Hobart speak, SOL did"
"Yes?" Mrs. Tom answered. coldly.
"But. oh, Sallie, / do feel small
about it. Don't you think, dear, that
a different sort of man, man who
thinks of me at my best, would hate
to know did ftp"
"a different sort of MANI"
"oh. very different" demurely;
you" with shy, bright glance,
think so, too"
Righteous, astonished wrath gath
cred in Mrs. Toms eyes, but knock
With the opening of the
door came a rainbow CLEAN of orchids.
'0h, gloriousl" cried Miss Everton.
There was a basket full of the rare.
spidery beauties. The servant waited,
looking to his mistress, who was pale
and silent
'For Miss Everton?" she said, at
last.
For you, madam"
She went hurriedly past him and
down to the smoking-room. Jim and
Tom were there. Flushed and little
out of breath, she ran to Tom.
Don't get up" settling an arm COM
AbA AsttAA bNNi MS EhOultAti anu NUN
ing across to her brother. II only
want to tell Jim that Bert Hobart has
been rejected"
you're sure?" cried Jim.
"And I WISH" with a peremptory
nod, that you would go up and ask
Elsie if she'd like IA glass of wine,
or anything"
Tom began to laugh, but met his
wife's eyes with tears in them, and
stared instead.
I'm so glad" struggling with a hap
py sob, about Jim and Elsie"
Nonsense; you mustn't fib to me,
Sallie. What's the matter?"
The only answer was long breath
of content. Later, however, there came
a retort question.
what did you mean by that little
dog jingle?"
This had to be somewhat elaborated.
and then Tom finished his interrupted
laugh.
why, l was helping the plot" he
said.
'Oh, yes. And / am ever so much
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