The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-07-19
she asks. smiling skfndIy at him.
"a little bird, %says he.

"a little bird. ~says he.
Was It a goose, young man?'
asks the other girl GRIMM. yet adj
mirin' Tom. I,could see
emo, miss. lit wasn't a goose, SAYS
he. nor yet a peacock" abiding to
Ellen's grand shnery. Isn't it right,
miss7'
Yes says Phoebe; hut how did
you know l was TO be here? I saw
you on your engine this morning.
It's the Firehy, isn't it?'
That's right. I'll show her to
you some day If you like. But twas
me sent the tickets to the house in
the hope that you'd be let ONE.
I've been expectin you!'
Come, young man, don't stand
here listenin' to them W. ninnies.
Take me to see something says Ell
len to me. You two Stiles can
come If We wait tor
Neither Phoebe nor Tom said q
word to Us. They just passed OF,
and SO did ! with Ellen. who vas in
a way jealous OF her friend Ger
tainly Tom was handsome and kind
looking, and Miss Ellen was a fine
girl, used to be admired: so Tom,
We see, annoyed her by his uncaring
ways. But we saw the shows and
things, and went to have tea.
After tea Phoebe was for going
home. but Ellen said she wasn't and
laughed at Phoebe.
Mistress said we were to leave
at five; I'm going, Ellen. Shesn
want me to dress her
I'll see you safe home, says
Tom, as sharp as a needle. Miss
Ellen is in safe hands
Safer than yours a long way,
she replied GROSSLY. If / was Phoebe
I'd think twice O. strollin' on with
an engine man.
You wouldn't think twice Of 1t
If you were yourself, retorted
Phoebe, nodding at her. Your por-
ter will see after you, l dare say.
But / needn't take you away, MI:
Deane; ] can go alone
I'D rather go; you won't shut
me off now, surely be says. Why,
/ seem to know you quite we'll. Many
a time I've e e you by the wall and
in the window. Let me go with
you!
Well all ~ says Ellen. Come
along; it's past five, and we must be
or. I'm tired of the place. Good
by. porter said she suddenly turn
In to me; you needn't see me home,
I can take care of myself.
Il saw her Intentions; 1t was to
stop Tom Deane's walk. So l would
MT be put OF.
I'm going with Tom. say 1;
and he's promised to escort Miss
Phoebe. So you must come along
of me, If you please.
And l don't please. then; 0
can walk with them, and I'll go by
myself. It's daylight. and / want
no railway porters to carry me-
"She was vexed. I could see. but
she didn't spof1 sport; for Tom and
Phoebe took no notice of her. being
wrapped up in their two selves. Ell
len then began to talk to me loudly.
so we got on a bit; but she looked
like mischief.
I'VE parted with the girls at the
gates. and they went up the avenue
together. We could hear Ellen's
jeering laugh at Phoebe. and con
Guided that she had made an I'M
pleasant remark about Tom OF me,
or the two of 1s.
Il tell you | didn't like 1t, sir;
and knew that Ellen wouldn't be
long before she did mischief"
CHAPTER II.-BEWITCHED.
'~.Phoebe's a good girl remarked
Tom to me as we went towards the
station, and EAen's a fine young
woman, too
She was quite jealous of you.
Tom; could see that.
.Ah, do you think so?' says he.
Il must say she's a splendid girl; not
so delicate looking as Phoebe.
shouldn't have minded a talk with
her.
Il laughed, and said,-
Tin afraid you're a bit unset
tied, Tom. Don't play any tricks,
mind you. Phoebe isn't II OF the
common run, | a tell you. She's
as good, ay, better than Mary Sim
mons. | do believe.
You remember | told you about
Mary simmons, sir. a while ago?"
said my host. pausing in his nara
tive.
/ nodded, and he resumed,-
Tom said that was so. and as we
went down to the shed where the
engine was, he told me that Phoebe
had as good as promised to come and
see the engine and get to understand
it. This idea pleased Tom very
much, | could see, and enc day she
did come; several weeks after the
fate sir, it was.
1T happened that | was in the
shed myself. and SEEM Phoebe COM
in / whistled to Tom, who was un-
der the Firet1y. looking to the gear.