The Holbrook news., 1910-01-07


 always been a quiet, home-staying sort
 of lad who seemed perfectly satisfied
 with the companionship of his moth CT. Her youthful spirit was unfa1ling'
 and Rosie spoke the truth when she
 said Tom and I always have good
 times together"
 She never thought there might come a change, and she was slow to read the signs when Tom, who had paid so lit tie attention to clothes. suddenly be- came very "dressy."
 For why are you getting so fussy about your neckties and socks?' ques- tioned Rosie. Its not so long ago could hardly get you to wear 'em-"
 Tom blushed, and to conceal his blushes bent down to examine the hem of his trousers which. since his predilection for bright-hued hosiery, he had taken to wearing turned up. For the first time in his life he had a secret from his mother He felt himself a guilty wretch to keep her out of his confidence, but some way he could not bring himself to speak Of the girl" especially as he was by no means sure of her. Doubtless it was this uncertainty that caused Tom to go incoming about, whistling be mine music, in an absent minded manner.
 His actions were so unlike him that slowly but surely it dawned upon Ro- sic that what ailed Tom was the girl question: Sure, what John Donnelly said has come true; there's girl in it." she decided, and she knew some uneasy moments until she consoled herself with the thought, "Oh. the first time never counts, for why should worry?"
 She made up her mind the wisest thing to do was to win Toms confi- dence, and one morning at breakfast she asked him, without leading up to the question, Do I know herr"
 Tom jumped in his chair and glanced at her anxiously. but seeing the good-natured twinkle in her eyes, was reassured. and answered frankly, T don't think you do. but mother" he went on. with burst of feeling, she's an awfully nice little girl
 They always are. Rosie remarked, dryly.
 Toms hurt look reproached her, and mother love supplanted the jealousy that sprang into her heart when she understood that Tom was in earnest.
 Bring her around. so we can make friends" she invited. cordially.
 q will" promised Tom.
 
 You do that" returned Rosie.
 It was late when Tom came home that evening after this conversation. He had put. his fate to the test, and he went to his mothers room with what he thought were glad tidings.
 Mother" he exclaimed, its all fixed. She'll have mel" He spoke as if he had won the world.
 Will she?" said Rosie, little dully,-i being scarcely awake. and then she had not expected the affair would be so soon rushed to a climax.
 Tom was so eager to pour out his soul that his mother invited him to sit on the edge of her bed and talk of his happiness.
 We three can live here together, can't we. mother?" he asked. when he had reached a point where he could | come down to prosaic plans.
 For a moment his another was silent | She wanted to be responsive but she | could not immediately rejoice at the prospect of having a daughter
 We'll talk that over tomorrow" she answered. gently. and Tom had to be satisfied with this.
 When morning came, he was obliged to hurry away to his work, thus giv- ing his mother time to think of the matter when she was alone, and this was what she wanted. Her first thoughts were rebellious. That Tom could go on without her. suddenly dawned with terrifying clearness upon her mental vision, but she-could she go on without Tom?
 Its hard" she said to herself, ito have some one take away the boy that's been the heart of me all of my life, and that without so much as by your leave, ma'aSm' I don't even know the girl, and maybe she isn't the right one at all. Tom seems so certain, I'll have to take his word for it, but a man never knows the women he's in ove with. and Tom is so young. They're going to be married right away. Whats the use of waiting says Tom, with a nice home ready and ne with a good job?' And she's going % be so much company for me, he ;ays Oh, the boy of it. the boy of t." she sighed. And there's no use saying a word against 1t. not a word, les that firm and decided
 She had it out with herself and hen, her rebellion ended. she turned o plans for Toms future.
 When the time comes. I'll be going md give the lad the home. No house 3 big enough for two families. To be ;ure, I'm a small bit of family all by