Middletown transcript., 1905-06-17

without word OF further explanation |;
sealed it up, and, remembering just in
time, directed it also with the left hand,
and mailed the whole collection prompt
ly.
A grin OF more than usual satisfaction
was observed upon his open countenance
during the rest of that day and he
chuckled softly to himself at short inter-
walls, as he settled the fate of nations and
the duration OF fashions for the confding
citizens of New York.
As he had expected, his two missives
wrought curiosity in the town, and con-
sternation in the house to which they
went. Mrs. Lawrence alone was faith
less.
81 don't believe Tom has broken his
arm, any more than l have myself, she
said but do not blame him in the least
he has borne his disappointments beau
tifully, and this last was too much-you
ought to have let me spank Bert, Lucilla,
indeed You ought and had my slipper
all ready p
"But, dear cousin Bertha" cried Lu-
ella, almost impatiently "you surely
| don't think Tom would tell such a-such
a-whopper as that would be?'
"My dear" said Mrs. Lawrence, calmly,
''it's the force OF association. Just think
how long he has been in that newspaper
Office, where they hare to make them up,
every day, by the column at time; and
| you know, yourself, that the last time he
was at home, your father said he hoped
Tom wouldn't allow himself to tell-those
things and he just laughed, and said,
IT'S my vocation.
'Oh, that was only in fun, " said Lucilla
eagerly "Tom says so many things like
that"
"Well, then, it showed he did it, either
way, you see," said Mrs. Lawrence,
triumphanily; 'tbut in this case, as l
said, don't blame him-the end justifies |
the means SO | wouldn't worry bit, if
1 were you, but just go and pack, and |
you'll find all my laces and things in the
corner of the top drawer, where You put |
them when you had to give up going !; |
dear knows when / shall ever want them |
again ~
Luclla was almost afraid to. change the
five dollar bill, to telegraph Tom that she
would come by an early morning train !;
but it had to be done, and she rushe
home with the change, and locked it away
in her desk.
Tom had answered her telegram with
''All right; | will meet yon," which
rather surprised her-she thought people
with broken bones were obliged to keep
at least measureably quiet.
She did not really believe she was going,
until her ticket was bought, and the train
was actually in motion and then, in spite
OF her pity for Tom, she began to rejoice
in the prospect of having him all to her.
self, to nurse and pet and wait on, for at
least two or three weeks. Perhaps he
would want her to write from his dicta-
tion-for it must be his right arm, or he
never would have sent such scraWl and
she read the postal-card once more.
II wish he had said when he did it,"
she thought, ''and how-but, poor fellow,
he could hardly write this much, l sup
pose. i don't believe could write with
my left hand at all, and a few attempts
with pencil increased her loving pity
for Tom. So the shock was all the
greater when, as the train drew up to the
platform, she saw that worthy, tall and
handsome and smiling, coming eagerly to
help her out. with both arms evidently
in a perfect state of preservation.
"Well, aren't you glad to see me, my
dear?" he asked, as Lucilla, having
reached the platform, stood specifies,
regarding him.
'But Tom," she managed to say, at
last what did make you tell such a.
"Not at all, my child" he interrupted,
putting her hand in his arm and leading
her to the baggage room. "My state
ment was perfectly truthful only did
not mention the date p
"But when was it ?" asked LuciIla.
'Let me see," said Tom. II was thir-
teen that summer"
"You humbug! p exclaimed Lucilla,
Indignantly ''1'm afraid cousin Bertha
wasn't far wrong"
'You see, my DEAR" explained Tom,
desperate diseases require desperate
remedes-I was merely ighting-Bert,
we'll say-with fire; and l am glad to
find myself successful
They had a royal time for the next
three weeks-concerts, lectures, churches,
park, so filled up the days and evenings,
that there was scarcely moment for quiet
tai k, until the day before Lucilla was to
return home. Tom would make no en-
for that evening-he told Lu-
ella that she must invite him to tea, and
make him some candy, up in her room,
So, while he picked out the nuts, he
quietly questioned her as to the house.
keeping arrangement. He had been
promised raise of salary at the begin
ming of the year. He could easily keep :
her then, and let her take music lessons.
Lucilla made no answer she was bend
ing over the fire; and her face grew i
alarmingly red.
young woman, what does this mean?'''
said Tom. 81 have never considered you
tickle and, if you have changed your
mind, | have right to know your
:
"Dear Tom," murmured Lucilla, cit {
seems so mean that / couldn't bear to tell
you, butt have promised somebody
Else p'
"And who might that somebody else 5
be ?" asked Tom, gloomily.
"Will Gresham, dear-and he thinks
he world of YOU and Won know Won