"

"Nothing more, Tom."

"Mellen's the most splendid fellow in the world," pursued he; "and you
couldn't well be sad with that little darling about you."

Elizabeth took up her silks again.

"Dismiss all such thoughts from your mind, Tom."

"I shall be only too glad. But tell me once more that I am an
over-anxious busybody, minding everybody's concerns but my own. You see,
Bessie, I love you like a sister, and will stand by you, by Jupiter,
always. But these stupid ideas of mine, there's no foundation for them?"

"How could there be?"

"That's what I say to myself always," cried Tom. "Well, dear, I won't
think such nonsense again."

"Do not, I beg; and never mention it to anybody."

"There's no danger of that," said Tom. "But you know, if you should get
unhappy or in trouble, there is always one old chap you could lean on."

"I believe that, Tom; I do indeed."

"And you would come to me, Bessie?"

"If you could help me, yes. But trouble must come to all, Tom; and,
generally, we must each bear our burdens alone."

"How sad your voice sounds, Bessie."

She made an effort to speak playfully:

"You are getting all sorts of ridiculous fancies in your head; don't be
so foolish."

Tom was relieved by her manner, and began to laugh at his own ridiculous
mistakes, rising from his knees and brushing the dust away with his
handkerchief.

"My head is a poor old trap," he said. "Well, well, I am glad you are
happy--very glad."

"And I want you to be happy, Tom."

"I am, upon my word, I am! I don't allow myself to think any more or to
look forward, but just live on, glad to be in the sunshine. 'Tisn't a
bad world, after all, Bess; things usually come right in the end."

If she could only believe it--if she could but accept his cheerful
philosophy and his unwavering trust; but, alas! the sleepless dread at
her heart prevented that.

"And about my stupid self, Bessie," added Tom.

"Yes, about your dear, good self," answered Elizabeth, glad to remove
the subject from any connection with her secret dread.

"And my useless bits of affairs," pursued Tom; "just let things rest as
they are, it's the best way."

"I don't wish to do anything to annoy you," she replied; "and you know
very well I am the last person in the world to interfere----"

"Oh, don't talk like that, or I shall think you are offended."

"Not in the least, Tom; I only meant to say that it was my regard for
your happiness that made me speak.