The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-08
ONLY HERSELF TO BLAME,

In the broad back porch of a pleas
ant farmhouse sat two young girls en-
gagged in some light needlework. The
porch was shaded by the wide branches
of an elm. beneath which, at table sat
a tall. good-loOking young man. par
taking of an eleven o'clock lunch.
He was evidently just from the field.
for he was in his shirt sleeves, and a
sunburnt straw hat lay on the grass.
while he partOOk. with a healthy,
hearty appetite. of the light biscuits
and fresh milk and butter placed be-
fore him.
And as he ate he looked at the two
! young girls in the porch, particularly
the prettier of the two, whose light-yel-
low hair the breeze had ''fluffed" most
Decomingly about her fair face
| She had something of a coquettish
look and air. while her companion was
quiet. with thoughtful grey eyes and
an almost diiiident expression.
Mother called the young man
! presently, looking towards the open
kitchen window, ..some mo.e milk if
| YOU please.
! Mrs. Wheeler came to the door with
| her sleeves rolled up, and Il small
| pitcher in her hand.
Both girls rose to take it from her;
| but she placed it. as if instinctively, in
the hands of the light-haired girl.
| saving:
Tom seems thirsty to-day; but mead
owing in July is warm work
''And hungry work. -oo," Tom re-
marked, laughing. THANK you, Lot
tie; but won't you stay and talk to me
here while eat?'
mo, indeed; I've too much to do to
be able to waste my time here in chat
ting"
''Why, that's something new? Don't
You always sit and talk to me at lunch
time?"
Not always, by any means. And
because I've done it occasionally is no
reason why | should keep on doing it
all my life
He looked up at her enquiringly.
''W WHAT'S the matter, Lottie? Any.
thing happened to veN you?'
No, indeed! How unreasonable
you are, Tom! If 1 am not always
laughing and chattering, you think 1
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. His
appetite seemed suddenly to have de-
serted him
The girl stood at q little distance,
partly turned from him and sewing on
the ruifie in her hand.
After while, setting down his emp
ty mug, he said in 4 lower tone:
''Lottie. wouldn't you like to drive to
the picnic tomorrow in my new
buggy?'
Il don't know that am going" she
answered without raising her head.
Not going! Why, for what reasOn?"
'lt will be SO hot, and the road so
dusty" she answered hesitatinglv.
We'll l don't wish to take Won a.
sgainst your will" he answered a little
coldly. 81 wonder if Alice will go?''
Il dare say she will. She expected
to 60 in the carryall with the Burtons,
but of course she will enjoy buggy
ride more-Won't you Alice
So Tom Wheeler, who had intended
merely to pique Lottie into accepting
his offer, found himself quite unexpect
edly drawn into an engagement to take
Alice Brown to the next days picnic.
And what was very puZzling TO him
it was entirely LOttie's dOings.
What could she mean by it? he won
dered-for until now she had never re- |
fused his escort anywhere.
Lottie was distantly related to the |
Wheelers, and was in the habit of pay
ing frequent little visits to the farm
house.
Mrs. Wheeler liked to have young
people about her; and she was, more |
over, particularly anxious that her only |
son, Tom. should marry and '.Settle |
down with his wife on the farm.
She had seen enough of late to con-
vince her that Lottie was to be her |
sons choice, and she was well enough |
satisfied, THOUGH the pirl was a little |
.'flightv," and not quite so sensible and !
sterling as she could wish.
But that would wear off after mar
riage: and Lottie certainly was a fine /
girl, and Tom loved her; so the mother |
was quite content to let Tom have his |
own way.
Only now and then she would catch |
herself wondering whether Alice Brown
the niece of neighbor and old school !
friend of hers, would not make Tom a !
more suitable wife, and herself a more
desirable iaughtcr-in-law.
That evening, Tom Wheeler, coming
up from the meadow, caught Il distant
view. of Lottie and Alice, in Il lane
leading to Il private road which ran as !
a boundary-line between his farm and /
that of Squire Redmond.
Alice was gathering flowers in the
hedge. while Lottie swung on the gate
with Il careless grace peculiar TO her,
in conversation with a nice-looking |
young man, whose whole appearance
bespoke him from the city. i
A momentary jealous pang shot
through Toms heart.
He remembered that in the last week
or two. Squire 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 |