Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-28
girl, and Tom loved her; so the mother


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 a lane
leading to private road which ran as
a boundary line between his farm and
that of Judge Redmond. Alice was
gathering flowers in the hedge, while
Lottie swung on the gate with a care
e's grace peculiar to her. in converse
tion with nice looking young man.,
whose whole appearance bespoke him
from the city. A momentary jealous
pang shot through Toms heat. lie
remembered that in the last week or
two Judge 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 toward the house.
Then Tom hastened his steps and
overlook them.
"Where have you been ?'he inquired
"To Judge Redmond's, to see Miss
Marion Redmond" answered Lottie,
who was looking bright and smiling.
II thought you did not like Miss
Marion Redmond" he returned, a little
coldly.
"Neither do I. She's so absurdly
dignied and self-important. But
that's no reason why we should not
visit, being near neighbors and old
schoolmates
T thought you paid the last visit, a
few days ago. said Tom.
"Yes," she answered, coloring. "but
this was quite an informal call. l
wanted an embroidery pattern"
"And Mr.. Archie walked home with
YOU"
CAS- far as the gate As he had to
go to the post-oflice, VIC would not let
him come any farther"
Then she added, looking down and
carefully imprinting each footstep in
the moist sand:
q shall see enough of him tomorrow,
1 suppose, at the picnic"
$50 you are going to the picnic. after
all?" said Tom, quickly
She looked up into his face with a
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 buggy, l would have refused.
lie knew l had refused your escort
under those circumstances, so he pro-
posed that we should walk-he and
and Katie Redmond-through Marsden
woods. It's private way, you know,
and promised. They say it's a lovely
walk, and, being a direct path, not too
long"
Tom made no answer. Lottie affect
ed not to perceive his moodineSs, till
near the house he l~St them and turned
off to the stables, to see that the men
were properly attending to the "stock."
He did not stay long there lie felt
tired and depressed, and entering the
house, laid himself down upon the
comfortable sofa in the parlor.
The windows were open, and a cool
breeze. laden with the perfume of the
multlnora roses on the porch, came
softly and soothingly in.
Presently he heard the girls coming
lightly down stairs, and then Lottie's
voice on the porch.
"Wherc's Tom? Not come in yet, I
suppose Well, we will sit here till
suppeI's ready"
"Lottie," said Alice. as the two
seated themselves on the bench inside
the screen of roses, 81 suspect that Tom
isn't pleased, and really I think you
are treating him badly"
GLOW so?"
"You are not kind to him. You
know he loves you, and until within
few days felt sure that you loved
him."
"Oh, well, we like each other we'll
enough. What have I done to bring
upon myself one of your solemn
lectures?'
"lf you love Tom, why do you en-
courage Mr.. Redmond?"
"Why. Allie, I'm not married to
Tom yet, and don't know that l ever
shall he. 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
depend upon"
"Lottie, you're not in earnest? ?"
"Indeed | am. like Tom. He's
hapdsomer 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
altogether"
"Why, Lottie. If you think in this
way, you cannot really care for Tom.
felt sure that you and he would make
a match"