Jo's Boys

uccessful run, for though their legs might be a trifle weary, their faces beamed as they surveyed the world from their lofty perches with the air of calm c

. See you later,' said Demi, swinging h

ve it out with Mother Bhaer first,' returned T

g that the coast was clear; for he was the bearer of tidings which woul

d, to greet the returning wanderer cordially. But after the first glance she saw that som

easy-chair with a curious expression of mingled fear, sha

awful scr

ou appear. What is it? Run over some old lady who

n that,' g

ting soul who asked you

than

ch any horrid thing and l

even th

me quick; I hate t

, Tom launched his thunderbolt in one brief

eng

ldly about as she clasped her

lded, I'll neve

t; it's an

s impossible to help laughing; for he looked both sheepi

e you'll be married soon. Now tell me all about it,' command

d Tom, rather taken aback at

squito who has plagued her so long. Don't

't written

ing a Miss West down at Quitno; I

e would stay there and fuss with his old photos, because the views were good and all the girls wanted to be taken. Look at these, will you, ma'am? That's the way we spent our time when we weren't playing tennis'; and Tom pulled a handful of pictures from his

g to the much-ruffled damsel with the jaunty h

om, forgetting his tribulations for a mo

at. Hope she is not a Dickens Dor

am. All the girls like her, and she's sweet-tempered and jolly, and sings like a bird, and danc

ut of the scrape. Tell me first how you got in'; and Mrs Jo settl

ll over to clear his wits, and pl

gown. She took it well, and we got friendly at once-couldn't help it, scrambling into that beast of a boat while the rest laughed at us. Of course we had to stay another day to see that Dora was all right. Demi wanted to. Alice Heath is down there and two other girls from our college, so we sort of lingered a

nderstand perfectly,' said Mrs Jo,

d it was pleasant to be appreciated after years of snubbing. Yes, it was right down jolly to have a sweet girl smile at you all day, and blush prettily when you said a neat thing to her, and look glad when you came, sorry when you left, and admire all you did, and make you feel like a man and act your

up to march about the room, wagging his head and trying to feel aggri

new one, if it is genuine. But how came you to propose, Tom, as you must h

it, and I couldn't get out of the scrape without hurting Dora's f

it, were there?' said Mrs Jo

' answered Tom darkly, though a twinkle of the eye showed that his l

t he didn't, so I gave him a kick; he kicked back, and over we went in a heap, donkey and all. Such a mess! I thought only of Dora, and she had hysterics; at least, she laughed till she cried, and that beast brayed, and I lost my head. Any fellow would, with a poor girl gasping

ow what I did say; but you might have knocked me down with a feather when she put her arm round my neck and whispered: "Tom, dear, with you I'm not afraid of any lions in the path." S

ran down her cheeks at this characteristic episode; and after one reproachful look, w

uld ever get into such a catastrophe?' sa

out it? I shall have to quit old Plum for a while,' answered Tom, as

l me how things ended. Is it really serious, or only a summer flirtation? I don't a

it all in solemn earnest and seemed so happy. She's only seventeen, never liked anyone before, and is sure

ttle heart: "Yes, I do, dearly, Tom; you are so gay and kind and honest, I couldn't help it." Now, after that what

ing things easy. I hope yo

hope she will suit the family. She suits me tip-top. Yours ever, Tom." He was all right, never liked Nan, you k

zed?' asked Mrs Jo, trying not to laugh again as she thought of the unrom

good thing to steady a fellow, only I must be honest with her and myself and not trifle a momen

, in sudden alarm at the bare id

w the fellow. How could he, when Wallace was off in his yacht all the time we were there? Alice was the real attraction, and I was left to my fate, while they were maundering round with that

ws who will be stricken next. Well, leave Demi to his

ward to be in love with two gir

opinion, Tom, that you love Dora, or are on the way to it; for in all these years I've never seen you look or speak about Nan as you do about Dora. Opposition has made you obstinately cling to her

his lips smiled, and in spite of dust and sunburn a new expression of happiness quite glorified him as he stood sile

him to pour out his doubts and woes and hopes and joys to his old friend. 'I was regularly astonished to find it so easy and so pleasant. I didn't mean to do any harm, but drifted along beautifully, and told Demi to mention things in his letters to Daisy,

, for she isn't an angel, but a woman with faults of her own for you to bear, and forgive, and you m

ument of torture for Nan. It wasn't right, and I don't deserve to be so happy. If all my scrapes ended

in earnest. 'Enjoy it wisely and be worthy of it, for it is a serious thing to accept a girl's love and trust, and let her look up to you for tendern

ra had set upon his promise not to forget her, and for the first time in his happy-go-lucky life Tommy Bangs understood the difference between sentiment and sentimentality. The feeling recalled Nan, for he had never known that tender thrill when thinking of

ade both start and turn, for there was N

se and see how Nan would take th

agement to

t be fonder of her old playmate than she knew; but her next words set

it long enough. Dear old Tom, I'm so glad. Bless you! ble

d I couldn't seem to get out of this any other way. Mother Bhaer will tell you all

and have another laugh over this new sort of courtship, which might well be called accidental. Nan was deeply interested, for she knew Dora, th

go into business with his father and do well, and everyone be happy. I shall give Dora an elegant family medicine-chest f

s if she had lost something valuable when she began; but the medicine-chest seemed to

o, and give your whole mind to your work; for you are fitted for the pr

ad to have a run of them just as term begins. Now I'm off to Daisy. Wonder what she will say to Tom. Isn't he great fun?' And Nan departed, l

her own way, and a very good way it is. But the dear Pelican will be somewhat ruffled

ng people to pairing off like the birds. Franz began it, Nat was a chronic and Tom a sudden case; Demi seemed to have the symptoms; and worst of all, her own Ted had only the day before calmly said to her: 'Mum, I think

e first, and she hooted at the idea, so I thought I'd let Barry look round. You say it steadies a fellow, and

play with one of the most sacred things in life?' exclaimed Mrs Jo, and having in a few words set t

when a spark ignites the flame, which soon flickers and dies out, or burns warm and clear for life. Nothing could be done about it but to help them make wise choices, and be worthy of good mates. But of all the lessons Mrs Jo had tried to tea

y, happy, capable, and intelligent girls for my lads. Lucky for me that I haven't the whole twelve on my hands, I should lose my wits if I had, for I fores

endous effect his engagement produced

to see Mother Bhaer and pay her respects to the family generally. Everyone liked her at once, for she was a gay and winning little soul; fresh, frank, and so happy, it was beautiful to see her innocent pride in Tom, who was a new boy, or man rather; for with this change in his life a great change took place in him. Jolly he would always be, and impulsive, but he tried to become all that Dora believed him, and his best side came uppermost for everyday wear. It was surprising to see how many good traits Tom had; and his efforts to preserve the manly dignity belonging to his prou

s Nan's placid interest in his affairs, and evident relief at his disloyalty. He did not want her to suffer, but a decent amount of regret at the loss of such a lover would have gratified him; a slight melancholy, a word of reproach, a glance of envy as he passed with adoring Dora on his

ncing-pole of truth and common sense. At last our Tommy got his bearings, and as autumn came on Plumfield saw but little of him; for his new lode star was in the city, and business kept him hard at work. He was evidently in his right place now, and soon throve finel

ntures of his mates, though this engagement, so merrily made, was t