The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-02-04

AZ = SaO1O cos . eoAis 6O0-AoVAAsl
young man, partaking Of an eleveI
o'clock lunch.
He was evidently just from th
field, for he was in his shirt sleeves
aud u sunburnt straw hat lay on tn
grass, while he partook, with a heal
thy, hearty appetite, of the light bis
cults and fresh milk and butte
placed before him.
Aud as he ate he looked at tn,
two young girls in the porch, par
tlcularly the prettier of the two
whUse iigbt-yellow hair the breez
had '.flufed" most beconingl,
about her fair face.
She had something ofa coquettisl
Look aud air, while her c0mpani0i
was quiet, with thoughtful grey eye
and an almost difhdent expression
Mother called the young maj
presently, looking towards the opef
kitchen window, ''sonie newe mill
II you please
Mrs. " heller came to the doc
with her sleeves rolled up, and {,
small pitcher in her hand.
Both girls r,se to take i: from her
but she placed il, as il instinctively
in the hands Vi the light-haired girl
saying:
Tom seems thirsty to-day; bu
meadcwiug in July is warm work.
And hungry work, too," Tom re
marked. laughing. Thank you
Lotiie but wo ut you stay and tail
to me here while 1 eat 2"
mo, indeed I've too much to d.
10 be able to waste my time hero il
chsttipg."
why, that's something new
Don't you always sit and talk to me
ut lunch time?'
Not always, bylany means. And
because I've done it occasionally b
NO resson Why should keep on do.
ing it all my life"
He looked mp at he- enquiringly
whats the matter, Lottie? Any
thing happened TO vex you?"
mo, indeed! /! How unreasonable
you are, Tom If 1 am not always
laughing and chsstering, you think
| 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. Hii
appetite seemed suddenly to have
deserted him.
The girl stood at a little distance
partly turned from him and sewing
Oh the ruff1c in her hand.
After a while, setting down his
empty mug, he said in a lower tone;
''Lotiie. wouldn't you like to drive
to the picnic tomorrow in my new
buggy ?"
Il don't know tbs. / am going
she answered without raising her
head.
mot going! Why, for what rea-
son? ?"
at will be so hot and the road 60
dusty" she answered hesitatinglv.
'.Well don't wish to take you
against your will," he answered a
little coldly. Il wonder if Alice
will go?"
Il dare say she will. She expect
ed to go in The crrrysIl with the Bur
tons, but of course she will enjoy a
buggy ride nore-Won't you Allie?"
So Tom Wheeler. who had intend
ed merely to pique Lottie into ac-
cepting his offer, found himself
quite unexpectedly drawn into an
engagement to take Alice Brown to
the next days picnic.
Aud what was very puzzling to
him-it was entirely Lottie's doings.
What conld she mean by it? he
wondered for until now she had
never refused his escort anywhere.
T,ottie was distantly related to the
WI elem, and was in the habit of
u, ing frequent little visits to the
farmhouse.
Mrs. Wheeler liked to have young
people about her; and she was,
moreover. particularly anxious that
her onlv son, Tom, should marry
and settle down" with his wife on
the farm.
She had seen enough of late to
convince her that Lottie was to be
her sons choice, and she was we'll
enough satisfied, though the girl was
. little "Highty," and not quite 90
sensible and sterling - she could
y ish.
But that would wear of after mar.
rage; and Lottie certainly was .
6nc girl. and Tom loved her; % the
mother was quite oouts0t to 1t Tom
have bis oWu NY.
ouly Auow md then she would
catch herself vondefing whether Al
ice Bfovn the mice Of > neighbor
and oldsoehool friend of hers, would
moi aeks Tom : mors suitable wifs,
and hssself Z moss desirable daugh-
ter,lp-law.
Thxt evening Tom Wheeler, com
ing up from the meadow, caught :
distant view Of Lostie and Alice in .
lsne leading 70 : private road which
raa ~ > boundary line between his
. - q