The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-02-13

| shouldn't VISIT, btlnX near heighpOrs snt
old school mates
4 thought you paid the last visit a few
days ago. said Ton.
Yes she answered colorIng. but this wa,
quite an informal call l wanted an em
broidery pattern
And Nj. Archie walked home with you :?
AS far as the gate. As he bad to go Il
the postofice, we would not let him come
any farther
Then she added, looking down and care.
fully imprinting each footstep in the moist
sand
4 shall see enough of him to- morrow,
suppose, at the picnic.
SO You are going to the picnic, after ell -
said Tom quickly,
She looked up into his face with a charm
ing little smile.
Now, Tom, you have no right to scold.-
Ii Mr.. Redmond had offered to take me
through the hot sun and dusty road in a
buggy, l would have refused. He knew 1
had refused your escort under these circum-
stances, so he proposed that we should walk
He and / and Kate 2edmond-through the
Marsden Woods, It's q private way you
know, and promised. They say it's a love
ly walk, and being direct path, not too
long Tom made no answer. Lottie af-
fected not to perceive his moodiness but
was all smiles and sweetness, till near the
house he left them and turned of to the
stables, to sec that the men were properly
attending to the stock.
He did not stay long there. He felt tired
aud depressed, and entering the house. laid
/ himself down upon q comfortable sofa In
the parlor
The windows were open. and a cool breeze,
laden with the perfume OF the roses on the
! porch, came softly and soothingIy in.
Presently be heard the girls coming light
ly down stairs, ana then Iottie's voice at
the porch
Where's Tom? Not come in ye:. L sup
pose. Well, We will sit here till supper's
ready
'Lottie,' said Alice, as the two seated
themselves on the bench inside OF the screen
of roses. 4 suspect that Tom isp't very
well pleased, and really, l think you are
treating him very badly
How so p
You are not kind to him. You know he
loves you. and until within 4 few days, l
felt sure that you loved him.
Oh, we'll. we like each other well enough
What have | done to bring upon myself one
of your sulemn lectures p
If you !Ove Tom, why do you encourage
Mr.. Redmond p
Why, Allie, I'm not married to Tom vet /.
and don't Know that ever shall be. And, /
my dear, you ought to know a secret-it's /
always good thing to have two strings to /
your bow. 1t gives you a choice, you know
er, il oEe should fail. you have the other to .
depend upon.
Lottie. you're not liz earnest p
Indeed 1 am. l like Tom. He's hand
somer than Archie Redmond, and richer,
too, with this fine farm all his own, and the
money his father left him but some people
would say that Mr.. Redmond was a better
match altogether
Why, Lotte. if you think in this way you
cannot really care for Tom. felt sure that
you and he would make match
We'll, it isn't impossible. Only he hasn't
asked me yet
But he will.
Lottie laughed
Suppose he don't? Then may have Ar
chic Redmond to fall back upon. And sup
pose 1 can't get Archie? Then there is Tom
Tom Wheeler rose up slowly frp M the So
ia, and walked softly from the room, out in.
W luc JaIu dUu RaTuCD.
so that is her game, is it? l would not
have believed it of her.
Two strings to one bow Two stools to sit
upon, rather. Well, she'll come to the
ground for any support she will get out of
me-
The picnic was a very pleasant affair, as
everybody said-every body but Tom Wheel
er. Strive as he would against it, be was
consumed with jealousy and dissppoint-
ment and his unhappiness was apparent to
most lockers on. Even Mr. Archie Redmond
perceived 1t.
What's the matter with Tom Wheeler p
he said, after the latter turned away, after
giving an abrupt reply to a remark OF his
he is not like himself to-day.
The enquiry was addressed TO his cousin,
Miss Redmond but Miss Triplett, the gos. /
sip and newsmonRer Of the neighborhood, |
took upon herself to reply
Why. Mr.. Redmond SAID she archIy, you |
ought to know IL anyone does'
Il p? What have to do with it p
What look of injured innocence But
really you ought to be ashamed to hirt so, |
and cut out poor Tom Wheeler, you nsugh. |
ty man. Z
And Miss Triplett smilingly showed her
false teeth. and playfulIy tapped Mr.. Red
mond on the shoulder with her fan.
Really, Miss Triplett. you speak in mys-
teries.'
You don't really mean to say that you did
not know Tom Wheeler is as good rs en-.
gagged to Lottie Steward Why it's been an
understood fact for year past
Redmond colored. He had admired Lot
tie, and been much struck with her pretty
face and sweet manners and this news re-
garding her had somehow affected him un-
pleasantly.
1 never before heard OF this, he said qui-
city.
Is it possible but then you have been
here so short time. Well, In that case we
will exoneTate you, But there is no excuse
for Lottie Steward. A girl that can change
as suddenly as she has towards Tom Wheel
er must be altogether hesrtless'
Archie Redmond overheard one or two
other similar remarks during the day, and
watching Lottie closely, be saw that while
she gave him undoubted encouragement, she !
yet seemed anxious to not entirely break off
with Tom.
He was panied for be bad, unconscIously
to himself, become interested in the pretty |
sprRkty girl.
She IS deceiving either him or myself g |
thought, and in either case, h not the right
sort of girl for me-