The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-08-19
N'II '1q'ifI % 20 ~ -'i'IF
TOMS SWEETHEART

"And how did you leave Tom?'
The questioner was n rudy -cheek
ed girl Of eighteen, and she leoke
with a blush into the face of'the youn
man who was drying his feet by he
fathers hearth. - styiI,-.rr,V
"Tom2 Oh, / guess he's doini well
fccnsiderin' his situation. He's rathe
exposed, rather lonely, too. you know
since all the boys have left the Ken
nebec, but guess he'll be able to sticl
it out. Hasn't been down to the tow
lately, 'spose ?" i-'4't''i"f
"No. He doesn't come Often" tn,
girl answered with sigh, as she turn
ed her pretty face away. sHe wa
here when Jim took Mary down to
the parsons. He must like that drcar,
place up there" "------------------'''--
"IIe 'peared happy when 1 left, Het
~. But they do say that-that-" .,
r.. Ned Winters paused, and looked
into the fire with foolish smile OH
his red face.
"Come, what do they say, Ned? l
know you have brought some gossip
from the kennebec. Tell me what
they talk about up there"
"Well, Hetty, was foolish to say
what l did. You will poster me till
tell you all about it."
81 WILL" said Hctty Wade firmly,
but with rising good nature.
"They say-thc boys, you know,
Hetty-that Tom Nesbitt is rather
sweet On you" '.1
Aetty blushed.
"Is that all p
"Well, isn't that enough Tom never
says much to me, but he tells Phil.
Gaylord great deal. Now, Hetty,
want you to tell me the truth-for
we've been friends for years-and 1
don't intend to go back ou you. Are
you Toms sweethear2" 80
Hetty Wade felt tingling sensation
creep over her cheeks, iandstheo young
lumberman watched her narrowly and
in anxious silence. They were the
only occupants Of the cabins parlor,
and the cracking fire of logs bathcd
theirfosIns h' swehed 'bdt beautiful
light.
"l don't want any ifs or ands," said
Ned, suddenly breaking the Stiffness.
!"Twaht th o1iGyouSare Ton Me-
bits sweetheart"
: "Hsttv spoke " f,houe eloo. ing II al
him.
'"wel, fran ?'""'N r''"" HMN
"Of course it don't make much diff.
ference to me. Only it would relieve
my hsartteMow " We wsyfesiLsoth
er. Then suppose you are Toms
!! II 4 kSxs |s|,s 8! i ss&Es@a h'a.sl>al =
Eyes, was the reluctant admission.
"The best lumberman on the Kcnne-
bec,"' said Hetty with glow Of pride.
"That's saying a good deal, Istty,"
SAID Ned, drawing on his heavy boots.
"Jack Meserve is called the king Of
lumbermen, you know, but Tom is IL
good 'un."
,iaHe is the best one n l ii ~
81 wouldn't tell Jack that and the
young man smiled as he caught the
girls eye. "But I'll 90 down to iLni's
and see what the boys are talking
about. - Gold, dull season this, Hetty."
rYes. They talk Ofa wolf-hunt, l
believe" "a '''' "''''''.''
"a wolf-hunt? We'll, Pm i'm for that"
exclaimed Winters rising. "Plenty OF
gray creaturesznp onsthe1xcnncbec.."
$50 Tom says"
Something like frown, strangely
mixed with revenge, settled down on
the lumberman's, face. ,,sD ,,N >ts{
"You're coming back tonight, Ned
said Hetty invitingly, ,..,...
"Yes; / want to talk with your faith
er. Goodbye Hetty; you'll send
ssme word to Tenn when l go up
again? ?"
''Ill try and send long letter if l
can find the paper" answered she,
blushing; aud when the cabin door
had closed on the youth, she retured
to her old seat at the fire. l3s5
With little hands crossed in her lap,
and eyes fastened OIL a heap of Goals
which the dogwood poker had drawn
from under the logs, Hetty Wade, the
old lumberman's daughter, gave her.
self over to thought.
1t was y cold day in February, and
snow to the depth of several feet COW
cred the ground. A noisy wind aud
cold ratified the loose sashes, and caus-
ed Hetty to bless the fire that warmed