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

Chly now anu then she
"ould catch herself wondering
whether Alice Brown, the niece Of a
helghbor and old school friend Of hers
would not make Tom a more suitable
Wlle' and herself more desirable
daughter-ln-law.
lhat evening Tom Wheeler coming
up from the meadow. caught distant
view OF Lottie and Alice in lane
'eadlng to a private ROAD which ran as
q boundary line between his farm and
mat OF Judge Redmond. Alice was
gathering flowers in the hedge. while
AoIIie swung on the gate with a care
e'S grace peculiar to her. in conversa-
'ioh with nice looking young man,
whose whole appearance bespoke him
ifom 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.
Il thought you did not like Miss
Marion Redmond" he returned, a little
coldly.
Neither do l. She's so absurdly
digniied and self-important. But
that's no reason why we should not
visit, being near neighbors and old
schoolmates.
q thought you paid the last visit, a
few days ago" said Tom.
es," she answered, coloring "but
this was quite an informal call.
wanted an embroidery pattern"
"And Mr. Archie walked home witt
you"
"As far as the gate As he had t,
go to the post-olfice, we would not le
him come any farther"
L Then she added, looking down an,
iearefully imprinting each footstep il
i1he moist sand:
~ II shall see enough of him to-morroN
III Ys..tst,,5es, sla's f'a---a~--'
ESQ you are going to the picnic, afte
ohl?" said Tom, quickly
She looked up into his face with
charming little smile.
"Now, Tom, you have no right t
scold. If Mr.. Redmond had offered t
take me through the hot sun and dust
road in a buggy, Iwould have refused
He knew / had refused your escor
under those circumstances SO he pr,
/ posed that we should walk-he and
and Katie Redmond-through Marsde.
woods. It's private way. you know
aud promised. They say it's Lowell
walk, and, being direct path, not to
long"
Tom nader no answer. Lottie affect
ed not to perceive his moodiness. til
near the house he left them and turne
off to the stables, to see that the mel
were properly attending to the "stoek.
lie did not stay long there. He fel
tired and depressed, and entering tn
house, laid himself down upon tn
comfortable sofa in the parlor.
The windows were open, and COG
breeze, laden with the perfume of tn
multiaora roses on the porch, cam
softly and soothingly in.
Presently he heard the girls comm,
lightly down stairs, and then Lottie'
voice on the porch.
where's Tom? Not come in vet
suppose, Well, we will sit here til
supper's ready"
"Lottie," said Alice, as the tw,
seated themselves on the bench insid,
the screen of roses, 81 suspect that Ton
isn't pleased. and really 1 think yo,
are treating him badly
"How so?"
You are not kind to him. Yo
know he loves you. and until within
few days 7 felt sure that you love,
him"
"oh, well. we like each other vel
enough. What have l done to brins
upon myself one of your solemn
lectures?"
IF you love Tom, why do you en-
courage Mr.. Redmond ?'
"Why. Allie, I'm not married +,
Tom yet, and don't know that | eve,
shall be- And, my dear, you ought t.
know a secret-it's always a gooc
Ihlng to have two strings to your bow
1t gives you a choice, you know; or il
one should fail, you have the other +,
depend upon.
Lottle, you're not in earnest ?"
Indeed am. I like Tom. He.
nandsomer than Archie Redmond. and
ficher' too, with this fine farm all hi,
own and the money his father Ief,
MIN; but some people would saw that
Mr. Redmond was a better match
altogether"
Why Lottie. if you think in this
way you cannot really care for Tom
l felt sure that you and he would male
match" mon