Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-02-06

room, ont into the yard and garden
80 that is her game, is it2 / would
not have believed it Of her. Two
strings to one bow, Two stools t'
sit upon, rather. WeI, she'll come to
the ground for any support that she
will get out of me-
The picnic was very pleasant
affair. as everybody said Everybody
but Tom Wheeler.
Strive as he would against it, he wa'
consumed with jealousy and disap-
pointment and his unhappiness was
apparent to most lookers-on. Even
Mr.. Archie Redmond perceived it.
"What is the matter with Tom
Wheeler ?" he said, as the latter turned
away after giving an abrupt reply to
remark Of his. "lIe is not like himself
to-day"
The inquiry 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" she said,
archly, "you ought to know, if any one
does"
al? What have to do with it2'
"What look of injured innocence!
But really, you ought to be ashamed to
llirt 50, and cut out poor Tom Wheeler,
you naughty man.
And Mss Triplett smllingly showed
her false teeth, and playfully tapped
Mr. Redmond with her fan
Really Miss Triplett, you speak in
mysteries
"You don't really mean to say that
you did not know that Tom Wheeler
is as good as engaged to Lottie
Steward? Why, it's been an under
stood thing for at least year past"
Redmond colored. lie had admired
Lottie, and been much struck with her
pretty face and sweet manhers and
this news regarding her somehow
affected him unpleaoantly.
Il never before heard of this" he
said quietly.
"Is it possible? But. then, you have
been here 50 short time. Well, in
that case we will exonerate you But
there is no excuse for Lottie Steward
A girl who can change as suddenly as
she has toward Tom Wheeler must be
altogether heartless."
Arehie Relmond overheard Rdo
! two other similar remarks during tn
day, and watching Lottie closely, h
, saw that while she gave him undoubt
ed encouragement, she yet SCENE,
anxious to not entirely break off wit
Tom.
He was panied, for lie had, uneon
sciouslY to himself, become intereste
in the pretty, sprightly girl.
"She is deceiying either him o
| myself" he thought; "and, in ethe
l case is not the ri gil: sort of a girl fo
me.
: TON, whispered Lottie with on
> Of her sweet smiles, "as Alice is to 9,
home with her mother from the picnic
TN ride back with you in the buggy
/ I've told Mr.. Redmond that | am to
| tired for the long walk back"
! THANK you" said Tom, coldly
. But Alice won't ride with her mother
t I've promised to take her home in my
E buggy"
. Lottie turned and looked around fol
Archie Redmond. She would have t,
! explain. and walk back with him
which was no disagreeable prospect
J despite her declaration of WEAKNESS
The WEAKNESS, in fact, had been
, assumed; for she saw that Tom was
) not pleased, and wished to put him il
a good humcr again.
Where is Mr., Redmond?" she said
hastily, to Katie, who was at that
moment skipping past.
cousin Archie? Oh, he's gone
home with the Calverts Miss Calvert
asked him and am going home with
mamma and the rest Not half 50
nice as walking is it"
Poor Lottiel Both her bow trings
had failed her-a predietment she had
not foreseen, or, to accept Toms YER
sion, between two stools she had come
to the ground. However kind
neighbor gave her "a lift" in his
wagon, in which situation she had the
modification of seeing Mr. Redmond
drive past in Mrs. Calvert's carriage,
beside pretty May Calvert, while Tom
and Alice in the new buggy, had left
them far behind
She was very angry with Tom.
though she had TO admit to herself
that it was all her own fault. And
when she left the farm, few days
after, she and Tom hadn't quite made
up neither had Archie Redmond
again called upon her.
Lottie had promised to spend another
fortnight at the farm, and she made
up her mind that she would be salts
fled with Tom and marry him after
all. But before the time for her visit
came, she had heard two astounding
reports. Mr.. Archie Redmond was to
be married to his cousin, Miss Marion
Redmond, and Alice Brown was en-
gagged to- Tom Wheeler! There were
to be two big weddings and IottIe