Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-01-16
APT III.

1s' eoAs |
"Come here, my darling" said her
mother. \ Il want to talk to you. 1t is
about Tom"
Has he been talking to your cried
June, flushing up "How unfair of him!
He promised me not to say a word to any
one for six MONTHS"
DO you want to have any secrets from
me?' asked Mrs. Rivers gently.
M But" said June, in q troubled voice,
Nhow can l promise anything When l do
not know my own mind? | like him-I
am very fond of him-I wish he was my
N brother; but I am sure" with q 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
land 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 cam 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
lfSnext few months, and that on Christmas
day she would either consent to be en-
gagged to Tom, or would finally tell him
s. that he must abandon all hope.
Tom came to the Rose Cottage in the
&highest spirits and went away crestfallen;
The had expected wonders from the inter-
ceSsion of June's mother; indeed, he had
almost dared to hope that June would be
M waiting with smiles and bushes and her
mind prepared to accept him. Now he
vas absolutely not one step nearer than
before. June had already promised that
six months hence she would consider the
matter; it was the thought of that harass-
fing delay, and the uncertainty at the end
of it, which had prompted his appeal to
~ Mrs. Rivers. He was dreadfully morti-
fled at what she told him.
WI Mrs. Rivers felt for him-felt, too, as if
she had been to blame in not having been
VA more successful mediator.
"You must remember, Tom," she urged,
gently, that June is only eighteen, and
has seen nothing Of life yet"
II suppose it will never be-" he said, at
last, turning with a sigh that seemed to
reno his broad chest.
II should be sorry if I thought So" an
severed Mrs. Rivers, softly. But" with
an encouraging smile, Il cannot share
your gloomy views"
SIS there anything in the world l could
do to make her like me?" he said.
}& "You will be rather surprised if I tell
you what your best plan would be-"
2N "What?'-eagerly.
"Try not to let her see that you are so
devoted to her."
M 81 could not act q part" he answered.
-'And surely deceit is not the way to a
good woman's heart"
MA Not long afterward 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 he drew nearer the spot
where his love was, his feet involuntarily
stepped out faster and hope began to
smooth his rufled brow. Just within the
gate he met Agnes, basket and scissors in
hand, cutting flowers. She smiled at him
M very sweetly, for she had two smiles, one
when she was really pleased and happy
and another when she was spiteful or an
noyed and wished to conceal her feelings.
II am so glad you have come" she said,
and pulled off a garden glove to give him
t her hand. '"You won't mind holding this
basket for me, will you"
Tom took the basket. He always felt
WI 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
c~ousinly way; so he was especially care
full not to slight her.
by the way" he remarked, 81 have
brought you and Madge a fairing from
London. / may as well give you yours
now" And he produced a gold bangle
't wrapped in tissue paper.
"Oh, 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, il
June's present were handsomer or ~costlier
it would take all the pleasure out of hers
M Put it on my arm" she said; and then
looking up and letting a little tremor stea,
into her voice, she murmured:
"You know, dear Tom, how l shall prize
IA this"
"Oh," replied Tom, briskly, at is quite
a trife. l am glad you like 1t. I'll go ant
find Madge and give her hers"
Tom hurried to the spot where June ant
Madge were playing lawn tennis. Madg,
greeted him with loud welcome. June wal
a triHe distant. She wished him to know
that she was displeased at his having pre-
sumed to speak to her mother, and he no
ticed the change in her manner, guessed
the cause Of il, and, foolish fellow, wa
much cast down and humbled.