Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-10-22
"TOM."
" "a x ~
a. PRESTON NALL.

| turn my face hOmeward with n hear
that fiuctuated wildly between hop,
and despair.
| had received no letters from HON,
for five weeks. aud the last was hasty
little scrawl from Nell. hoping | would
soon return, but making no mention
Of Eve. \ man OF more sangulne ma
ture would have said that No new,
il good news" but my dark tempera
ment forcboded the worst.
| stopped day In New York. hut
Tom, who did not expect me iill tire,
days later. was not al the office. H.
had gone NJ the country" the head
clerk Informed me.
Gone TO see Eve" | said, savagely,
10 myself.
That evening took passage on the
little steamer that ran mp Ia our vii.
lage. II was q lovely moonlight night
IN early June. and the boat was crowd.
ID. Among the passengers noticed
two very pretty girls whom | knew
by sight as residents Of our place. but
whose personal acquaintance had not
the pleasure of possessing.
secured a seat IN the upper cabin
the decks were jammed-and soon be.
came aware that these two girls were
seated on deck just outside OF the win.
dow behind me. Now aud then various
familiar names saluted me as they
chatted together. At last Eve Mallory
was mentioned. and you may be sure |
prlcked mp my ears.
Her devotion to that Tom Of hers
Is just perfectly ridiculous" exclaimed
one sweet voice. He goes everywhere
with her. aud I've heard that she ac.
tually kisses him-before folks. too.
Considering that everybody knows how
she got him. ] should think that she'd
have a little more delicacy"
Kisses him repeated the other In
a tone Of mingled amazement and dis.
gust We'll! that's more than could
stand"
II was more than could stand. too
With muttered exclamation. which
| VIII not repeat here. ! rushed from
my seat, fearful Of hearing still more
dreadful developments. and spent the
remaining three hours I'LL our arrival
ia a state bordering on frenzy. Eve
Mallory. my affianced wife. spoken Of
publicly In connection with that Tom
of hers" ~ she was devoted "a him."
IN A
have kissed" him. To think Of that.
when my utmost coaxing and blandlsh.
ments could never win the faintest
carcss from those false lips.
q tickle, treacherous. perfdious Eve,
Because Of you. IN that mad hour.
foreswore all faith In women forever.
more.
The house was closed for the night
when reached home, but mother came
down ~ my well.knowu knock.
How pale you are. my dear boy"
she said, looking ~ me sharply after
the first rapture Of maternal welcome
was over. You look quite worn out.
| declare. I never saw you with such
a haggard face Now I shall make YOU
take q good, long rest before I'll let
You 20 back 10 that horrld business
again"
would not let her wake Nell. and
the next morning, when | unexpectedly
came upon the dear girl in the hall she
almost tainted with delight Well at
any rate, was sure OF their love. Her
first remarks were like mothers
How pale! How worm
And now" said she. as she finished
her breakfast, II must run right over
to Ewes with the news-or do YOU
wish to goy" ana she turned to me.
No" said, briefly; Il shall not 20"
Nell looked surprised. hut she swung
on her garden hat, and ran up the vii.
lage street.
Have you seen Tom Burroughs
latelyy' asked mother.
Not Tor over week" she replied.
Not for over a week II he lad
been In the place yesterday. do you
think YOU would have known itf'
"Oh. yes she answered. quietly.
Blu, the clerk told me he had gone
into the country. and where else do
you think he'd be-"
oh. % said mother, smiling "he fire.
uuentIy goes up 10 Kingston. may be- he
Is there now. am sure he is not In
our village FOR De always comes here
Tor his first CALL
All" thought !. Il fancy Eve Nal
Iory could tell q different story. So he
comes here. does Ec' marvel az his
mpulouce" Then my thoughts turned
10 business. OF course could not re-
main Goo partnership with man who
had become my deadly enemy. as /
now regarded Tom. concluded 20
write him letter explaining my views
In very plain language.
on my way TO the posiohicc. whom
should see coming toward me but
Tom. himself \ pleased smile lit hp
his face rs he recognized me.