The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-12-18
who was looking bright and smiling.

II thought you did not like Miss
Redmond he returned a little coldly.
Neither do l. She's SO absurdly
dignifed and self-important. But that's
not why we shouldn't visit, being near
neighbors and old school-mates.
Il thought you paid the last visit a
few days ago" said Tom.
Yes" she answered, coloring, but
this was quite an informal call. |
wanted an embroidery pattern"
"And Mr. Archie walked home with
you?"
'.As far as the gate. As he had to 90
to the post-office, we would not let him
come any farther.
Then She added, looking down and
carefully imprinting each footstep in
the moist sand:
Il shall see enough of him to-mor-
row, suppose, at the picnic. "
$50 you are going to the picnic, af-
ter alp" said Tom quickly.
She looked up into his face with
charming little smile.
Now, Tom, you have no right to
scold. If Mr.. Redmond had offered to
take ME through the hot sun and dusty
road in a buggy, would have refused.
He knew had refused your escort un-
der those circumstances. so he pro-
posed that we should walk-He and |
and Kate Redmond-through the
Marsden Woods. It's a private way
you know, and l promised. They say
it's lovely walk, and being a direct
path, not too long"
Tom made no answer. Lottie af-
fected not to perceive i4is moodiness; but
was all smiles and sweetness, till near
the house he left them and turned
off to the stables, to see that the men
were properly attending to the stock.
He did not stay long there He felt
tired and depressed, and entering the
house, laid himself down upon COM
Portable sofa in the parlor.
The windows were open, and cool
breeze, laden with the perfume of the
roses on the porch, came softly and
soothingly in.
Presently he heard the girls coming
lightly downstairs, and then Lottie's
voice at the porch:
"Where's Tom? Not come in yet, l
suppose. Well. we will sit here till
supper's ready"
.'Lottie," said Alice, as the two
seated themselves on the bench inside
the screen of the roses. 81 suspect that
Tom isn't very pleased, and really l
think you are treating him very badly"
How SOP"
''You are not kind to him. You
know he loves you, and until within a
few days, l felt sure that you loved
him."
''Oh, well, we like each other well
enough. What have done to bring
upon myself one of your solemn lee
tures?'
''If you love Tom, why do you en-
courage Mr.. Redmond?'
why, Allie, I'm not married to Tom
yet, and l don't know that ever shall
be. And, my dear, you ought to know
a secret-it's always good thing to
have two strings to your bow. 1t gives
you choice, you know; or, if one
should fail, you have the other to de-
pend upon"
''Lottie, you're not in earnest?"
''Indeed | am. / like Tom. He's
handsomer than Archie Redmond, and
richer too, with this fine farm all his
own, and the money his father left
him; but some people would say that
Mr.. Redmond was better match alto
gether.'
"Why, Lottie, if you think in this
/ felt sure that you and he would make
a match"
well, it isn't impossible. Only he
hasn't asked me yet"
''But he will"
Lottie laughed.
Suppose he don'tp Then l may
have Archie Redmond to fall back up
on. And suppose | can't get ArchieP
Then there is Tom"
Tom Wheeler rose up slowly from
the sofa, and walked softly from the
room, out into the yard and garden.
$50 that is her game, is it? would
not have believed it OF her Two
strings to one bow! Two stools to sit
upon, rather. Well, she'll come to the
ground for any support she will get
out of me-"
The picnic was very pleasant af-
fair, as everybody said-everybody but
Tom Wheeler. Strive as he would a.
gainst it, he was consumed with ieal-
ousy and disappointment; and his I'M
hhpPIhSoo W DO pdlSIil W luoSt loOh-
ers-on. Even Mr.. Archie Redmond
perceived it.
"What's the matter with Tom
Wheeler" he said, after the latter
turned away, after giving an abrupt
reply to remark of his. s'He is not
like himself to day"
The enquiry was addressed to his
cousin, Miss Redmond; but Miss
Triplett, the gossip and newsmonger of
the neighborhood took upon herself to
reply:
why. Mr.. Redmond" said she
archly, you ought to know if anyone
does"
Il? What have | to do with it?'
What look of injured innocencei
But really you ought to be ashamed to
tiirt so, and cut out poor Tom Wheeler,
you naughty man.
And Miss Iriplett smilingly showed
her false teeth, and playfully tapped
Mr.. Redmond on the shoulder with her
fan.
Really, Miss Triplett, you speak
in mysteries.
You don't really mean to say that
you did not know Tom Wheeler is as
good as engaged to Lottle Steward?
Why it's been an understood fact for
year past
Redmond colored He had admired
Lottie, and been much struck with her
pretty face and sweet manners; and
this news regarding her had somehow
affected him unpleasantly.
Il never before heard of this" he
said quietly.
''ls it possible? But then you have
been here so short a time. Well, in
that case we will exonerate you. But
there is no excuse for Lottie Steward.
A girl that can change as suddenly as
she has towards Tom Wheeler must be
altogether heartless."
Archie Redmond overheard one or
two other similar remarks during the
day, and watching Lottie closely, he
saw that while she gave him undOubted