New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-12-31
neighbors and old school-mates.' .
Il thought you paid the last visit a

Now, Tom, you have no right to
scOld. If Mr.. Redmond had offered to
take me through the hot sun and dusty
road in q 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 private way
you know. and I promised. They say
it's lovely walk. and being 3 direct
path, not too long"
Tom made no answer. Lottie at
fected not to perceive his 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 a 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 no heard the girls coming
lightly downstairs, and then Lottie's
voice at the porch:
"Where's Temp Not come in yet, I
suppose. Well, we will sit here till
supper's ready
s.Lottie,'' said Alice, as the two
seated themselves on the bench inside
the screen of the roses. II suspect that
Tom isn't very pleased, and really
think you are treating him very badly"
How sop
'.You are not kind to him. You
know he loves you, and until within q
few days. felt sure that you loved
him."
..Oh, well, we like each other we'll
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 don't know that ever shall
be- And, my dear, you ought to know
a secret-it's always a good thing to
have two strings to Your bow. 1t gives
you a choice, you know; or, if one
should fail, you have the other to de-
pend upon. =
.'Lottie, you're not in earnest?"
Indeed I 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 q better match alto
gether.''
'Why, Lottie, if you think in this
way, you cannot really care for Tom.
/ felt sure that you and he would make
match
well, it isn't impossible. Only he
hasn't asked me yet.
''But he will.
Lottie laughed.
..Suppose he don't? Then may
have Archie Redmond to fall back up-
on. And suppose I 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- y
The picnic was a very pleasant af.
fair, as everybody said-everybody but
Tom Wheeler. Strive as he would a.
gainst it, he was consumed with jeal-
0usy and disappointment; and his I'M
happiness was apparent to most look
ers-on. Even Mr.. Archie Redmond
perceived it.
whats the matter with Tom
Wheeler?' he said, after the latter
turned away, after giving an abrupt
reply to a remark of his. 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
''Why, Mr. Redmond, y said she
archly, '.you ought to know il anyone
..Ip Whs. k..ys I..e Dc 9Th 18th i ii
WhQL look OF injured innOGGnGe!
But really yousso ought to be ashamed to
firt so, and cut out. poor Tom Wheeler,
you naughty mani!
And Miss lriplett smilingly showed
her false teeth, and playfully tapped
MIR. Redmond on the shoulder with her
fan.
Really Miss Triplett, you speak
in mysteries; J,
'You don t really mean to say that
you did not know Iom Wheeler 10 q
good as engaged to L0ttie Steward
Why it's been an understood fact for q
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.
Is it possibleP But then you have
been here SO short 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
she yet seemed anxious |
to not entirely break off with Tom.
He was panied. for he had, uncon-
sciously to himself, become interested
in the pretty sprightly girl.
She is deceiving either him or my I
sell. : he thought s.and in either case,
Is not the right sort Of = girl for me. . B
TOm, 8 whispered Lottie, with one
Of her sweet smiles, ..as Alice Is to 90 /
home with her mother from the picnic, 7