Middletown transcript., 1903-01-17

was the fence, with its green
burden of butter-bean vines.
Practical, everyday life and
hard realism could 60 no fur
thur.
"Of course, if you say so, III
go to my paternal ancestor and
speak to him about it," said the
young man, resignedly, adding
the reservation, "at least will
kind of hint to him. | might as
we'll take out a good slice OF life
insurance before I start. But if
I do go you have got to promise
that you will go to your mother
I am not going to run all the
risks!'
ooh, yes, I suppose will have
TO go. And l am just as afraid
as I can be. I know there is
some plot against US. Your
father came to see mamma yes
terday. about something, and
mamma looked at me just aw-
fully after he had gone. | have
been afraid to speak to her ever
since" "said the girl, desperately.
"Maybe they are going to send
you back to school again. will
not have it, Nell, and that is the
end of it. If it comes to that,
we will run away was the saw
age remark from across the but
ter-bean vines.
"Oh, Tom, we cannot. II
will speak to mamma-and see
you here tomorrow evening. Or
why not come to the house?
Mamma never has sale you could
not, you know" came J whisper
over the same barrier
"Oh, but the way she looks at
me. Not by a whole lot, Nell!
We willtrust tothese cold-hearted
cabbages instead" was a tragic
response.
Whereupon the two parted
with such evidences of affection
as the vines permitted, and went
valiantly forth to make confes-
sion.
Nell found her mother writing
at her little desk in the corner;
but as Nell approached Mrs.
Grayson shut and locked the desk
with a snap, and turned an ac-
cusing face upon her daughter.
Anger had made her face very
red. There was no doubt that
she knew all! Nell's heart beat
a hurried double tattoo, and her
nicely composed, dutiful little
speech died on her lips. All that
she managed to say was, "Mam-
MAJ" But she said that with an
emphasis that appalled, her. Mrs.
Grayson turned pale.
"You had better go to your
own room, and remain there till
you can listen to reason and talk
over matters calmly.
Mrs. Grayson swept out of the
room, and thus abruptly ended
Nell's confession.
Tom, gifted with knowledge
of men that should make of him
a diplomat some day, waited un-
til Colonel Drane had eaten a re-
markably good dinner and was
stretched at ease in capacious
chair, as he could see through
the window. What he did not
see through the window was the
perplexed frown upon the Col
onel's brow-a frown which hung
there in spite Of the dinner and
the chair. Tom was in the room
and advancing upon the enemy
in good order before he saw the
frown, and Immediately his ranks
were thrown into confusion. He
faltered "I am gone!" he said
to himself. What he said out
loud was, II have come to speak
to you, sir, about certain mat.
ter"
Quick as a flash the Colonel
was up, with an apoplectic look
on his countenance.
"You will do nothing of the
kind, sir! I know exactly what
you would say! Well, sir, YOU
need not say it! My mind is
fully made up! Not a word, sir
You may go. I wish to be alone!'
he shouted.
And thus abruptly ended Toms
confession.
Early the next morning the
butter.bean vines received two
new experiences-the one very
fearful and the other full of very
determined laughter.
nShe sent for him to-day!
know | will be sent away now
I heard him talking loud in there
and telling her something about
not paying any attention to two