Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-28
Tom Wheeler rose up slowly from
the sofa, and walked softly from the
room, out into the yard and garden.

oiI upOu, rdJiler. Nell, SHe il COlne w
the ground for any support that she
will get out of me.
The picnic was a very pleasant
affair, as everybody said--everybody
but Tom Wheeler.
Strive as he would against it, he was
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. "IIe 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 l to do with it?'
"What a look of injured innocence!
But really, you ought to be ashamed to
airt So and cut out poor Tom Wheeler,
you naughty man"
And Miss Triplett smilingly 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 Lotto
Steward? Why, it's been an under
stood thing for at least year past"
Redmond colored. He had admired
Lottie, and been much struck with her
pretty face and sweet manners; and
this news regarding her somehow
affected him unpleasantly.
"I never before heard of this" he
said, quietly.
as it possible? 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 who can change as suddenly as
she has toward 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 undoubt-
ed encouragement, she yet seemed
anxious to not entirely break off with
Tom.
lie was panied, for he had, uncon-
sciously to himself, become interested
in the pretty, sprightIy girl.
"She is deceiving either him or
myself" he thought; "and, in either
case, is not the ri ght sort of girl for
me-"
"Tom," whispered Lot.ie, with one
of her sweet smiles, "as Alice is to 90
home with her mother from the picnic,
I'll ride back with you in the buggy.
I've told Mr.. Redmond that l am too
tired for the long walk back"
THANK you" said Tom, coldly,
"But Alice won't ride with her mother.
I've promised to talk her home in my
buggy"
Lottie turned and looked around for
Archie Redmond. She would have to
explain, and walk back with him,
which was no disagreeable prospect,
despite her declaration of WEAKNESS.
The weariness, in fact, had been
assumed; for she saw that Tom was
not pleased and wished to put him in
good humor 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-M Miss Calvert
asked him-and am going home with
mamma ani the rest. Not half so
nice as walking is it?"
Poor Lottie! Both her bows trings
had failed her-a predicament she had
not foreseen. or, to accept Toms YER
sion, between two stools she had como
to the ground. However, q 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, a 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
fed 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 Lottie
was invited to both.
There is no doubt but that she was
bitterly disappointed. for, as she con-
fessed, she really liked Tom. But she