The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-01-29
Tom Wheeler rose up slowly from
the sofa, and walked softly from the


strings to one bow! Two stools to
sit upon. rather. Well, she'll come to
the ground for any support that sho
will get out of me-
The picnic was very p'e,S'1nt
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 iookers-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 a
remark of his. He 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
toreply.
"Why. Mr.. Redmond" she said,
archly, "you ought to know, if any one
does"
81? What have I 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 smi1ingly 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 a 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.
~ never before heard of this" he
said, quietly.
"Is 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
che has toward ION Wheeler .nussbs
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.
He was panied, for lie had, uncon-
sciously to himself, become interested
in the pretty, sprightly girl.
"She is deceiving either him or
myself" he thought; "and, in either
case, is not the ri ght sort of a girl for
me-"
"Tom," whispered Lot.ie, with one
of her sweet smiles, "as Alice is to &c
home with her mother from the picnic
I'LL ride back with yon in the buggy
I've told Mr.. Redmond that am toe
tired for the long walk back"
Thank your said Tom, coldly
"But Alice won't ride with her mother
I've promised to take her home in my
buggy"
Lottie turned and looked around fol
Archie Redmond. She would have tt
explain, and walk back with him
which was no dsagreeable prospect
despite her declaration of WEAKNESS.
The WEAKNESS, in fact, had beer
assumed; for she saw that Tom wa!
not pleased, and wished to put him il
good humcr again.
Where is Mr.. Redmond?" she said
hastily, to Katie, who was at tina
moment skipping past.
cousin Archie? Oh, he's gont
home with the Calverts-Miss Calver
asked him-and | am going home with
mamma ami the rest. Not half 81
nice as walking is it?
Poor l.ottie! Both her bow tring
had failed her-a predicament she hat
not foreseen, or, to accept Toms yer
sion, between two stools she had com
to the ground. However, kint
neighbor gave her "a lift" in hi
wagon, in which situation she had tn
modification of seeing Mr.. Redmond
drive past in Mrs. Calvert's carriage
beside pretty May Calvert, while Ton
and Alice. in the new buggy, had lef
them far behind.
She was very angry with Ton
though she had to admit to hersel
that it was all her own fault. An
when she left the farm, few day
after, she and Tom hadn't quite mad
up. neither had Archie Redmon
again called upon her.
Lottie had promised to spend anothe
fortnight at the farm, and she mad
up her mind that she would be salts
fed with Tom and marry him afte
all. But before the time for her visi
came, she had heard two astoundin
reports. Mr.. Archie Redmond was t
be married to his cousin, Miss Mario
Redmond, and Alice Brown was er
, gagged to-. Tom Wheeler! There wer
to be two big weddings. and Lott
, was invited to both.
There is no doubt but that she wa
4 Il.