The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-12-18


ONLY HERSELF TO BLAME.
In the broad back porch of a pleas
| ant farmhouse sat two young girls en-
gagged in some light needlework. The
porch was shaded by the wide branches
| of an elm, beneath which, at table sat
| tall, good-looking young man, par
taking of an eleven o'clock lunch.
He was evidently just from the field,
for he was in his shirt sleeves, and a
sunburnt straw hat lay on the grass,
while he partook, with a healthy,
and fresh milk and butter placed be-
fore him.
And as he ate he looked at the two
young girls in the porch, particularly
the prettier of the two, whose light-yel-
low hair the breeze had ''fiuffed" most
becomingly about her fair face.
She had something of coquettish
look and air, while her companion was
quiet, with thoughtful grey eyes and
an almost dillident expression.
Mother" called the young man
presently, looking towards the open
kitchen window, 'some more milk if
you please"
Mrs. Wheeler came to the door with
her sleeves rolled up, and small
pitcher in her hand.
Both girls rose to take it from her;
but she placed it, as if instinctively, in
the hands of the ight-haired girl,
saying:
Tom seems thirsty to-day; but mead
owing in July is warm work"
And hungry work, too," Tom re-
marked, laughing. Thank you, Lot
tiei but won't you stay and talk to me
here while eat?'
No, indeed; I've too much to do to
be able to waste my time here in chat
ting"
'sWhy, that's something new? Don't
you always sit and talk to me at lunch
time?'
"Not always, by any means. And
because I've done it occasionally is no
reason why l should keep on doing it
all my life.'
He looked up at her enquiringly.
whats the matter, Lottie? Any
thing happened to vex you?'
mo, indeed! How unreasonable
you are, Tom! If l am not always
laughing and chattering, you think I
am out of temper"
The girl on the porch looked up
gravely from one to the other, but said
nothing.
Tom slipped his milk slowly. His
appetite seemed suddenly to have de-
serted him.
The girl stood at a little distance,
partly turned from him and sewing on
the rutfle in her hand
After while, setting down his emp
ty mug, he said in lower tone:
''Lottie, wouldn't you like to drive to
the picnic tomorrow in my new
buggy?"
81 don't know that l am going" she
answered without raising her head.
Not going! Why, for what reasonp"
ut will be so hot, and the road so
dusty" she answered hesitatingly.
"Well | don't wish to take YOU a.
gainst your will, he answered little
coldly. 81 wonder if Alice will gop"
Il dare say she will. She expected
to 60 in the carryall with the Burtons,
but of course she will enjoy a buggy
ride more-Won't you Allie?n
So Tom Wheeler, who had intended
merely to pique Lottie into accepting
his offer, found himself quite uneXpect-
edly drawn into an engagement to take
Alice Brown to the next days picnic.
And what was very puzzling to him
it was entirely LOttie's doings.
What could she mean by it? he Won
dered-for until now she had never re-
fused his escort anywhere.
Lottie was distantly related to the
Wheelers, and was in the habit of pay
ing frequent little visits to the farm
house.
Mrs. Wheeler liked to have young
people about her; and she was, more
over, particularly anxious that her only
son, Tom, should marry and "settle
down" with his wife on the farm.
She had seen enough of late to con-
vince her that Lottie was to be her
sons choice, and she was well enough
satisfied, though the girl was little
''fighty,' and not quite so sensible and
sterling as she could wish
But that would wear off after mar
riage; and Lottie certainly was a fine
girl, and Tom loved her; so the mother
was quite content to let Tom have his
own way.
Only now and then she would catch
herself wondering whether Alice Brown
the niece of a neighbor and old school
friend of hers. would not make Tom
more suitable wife, and herself a more
desirable daughter-in-law.
That evening, Tom Wheeler, coming
up from the meadow, caught distant
view of Lottie and Alice, in lane
leading to private road which ran as
a boundary-line between his farm and
that of Squire Redmond.
Alice was gathering flowers in the
hedge, while Lottie swung on the gate
with careless grace peculiar to her,
in conversation with a nice-iooking
young man, whose whole appearance
bespoke him from the city.
A momentary jealous pang shot
through Toms heart.
He remembered that in the last week
or two, Squire Redmond's nephew. Mr..
Archie Redmond, had several times
called to see Lottie, and only last Sun
day had walked home with her from
church across the meadows.
Now, walking slowly, he watched
the two, until the gentleman, lifting
his hat, turned away, and Alice and
Lottie came up the lane towards the
house.
Then Tom fastened his steps and
overlook them.
Where have you beenP" he en-
quired.
Ito Squire Redmond's, to see Miss
Marion Redmond" answered Lottie,