The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-02-05

"Whcro havo you beenP' ho on
quired.
Marion Redmond" answered Lotto,
who was looking bright and smiling.
II thought you did not like Miss
Redmond" he returned little coldly.
"Neither do /. She's so absurdly
dignifed and self-important. But that's
not why wc shouldn't visit, being near
peighbors and old school-mates.
II thought you paid tho last visit
few days ago." said Tom.
Eyes" sho answered, coloring, but
this was quito an informal call. /
wanted an embroidery pattern"
"And Mr.. Archie walked homo with
youp"
GAS far as the gate. AS he had to 60
to the post-ofIicc, we would not lot him
come any farther"
Thon she added, looking down and
carefully imprinting each footstep in
the moist sand:
"I shall sec enough of him to-mor-
row, suppose, at the picnic"
$50 you arc going to the picnic, af-
ter allP" said ToM quickly.
She looked up into his face with
charming little smile.
"Now, Tom, you have no right to
scold. If Mr.. Redmond had offered to
take me through the hot sun and dusty
road in buggy, l would have refused.
He knew l had refused your escort un-
der those circumstances, so he pro-
posed that we should walk-Hc and I
and Kate Redmond-through the
Marsdcn Woods. It's private way
you know, and 1 promised. They say
it's lovely walk, ard being q direct
path, not too long"
Tom made no answer. Lotto af-
fectcd not to perceive his moodiness; but
was all smiles and sweetness, till near
tho house he left them and turned
off to the stables, to see that the men
were properly attending to tho stock.
He did not stay long there. He tolt
tired aud depressed, and entering the
house, laid himself down upon Il COM
Portable sofa in the parlor.
The windows were open, and cool
breeze, laden with the perfume of the
roses on the porch, came softly and
soothingly in.
Presently he heard the girls coming
lightly downstairs, and then Lottie's $
voice at the porch:
''Whcre's Tom? Not come in yet, !
suppose. We'll. we will sit here till
suppcr'S ready"
'Lottie," said Alice as the two
seated themselves on the bench inside
the screen of the roses. II suspect that
Tom isn't very pleased, and really
think you arc treating him very badly"
"IIow so?''
"You are not kind to him. You
know he loves you, and until within a
few days, | felt sure that you loved
him."
"Oh, WELL we like each other well
enough. What have / done to bring
upon myself one of. your solemn lee
eff you love Tom, why DO you en-
courage Mr.. Rcdmond?"
''Why, Allie, I'm not married to Tom
yet, and don't know that l ever shall
be. And, my dear, you ought to know
a sccret-its always n good thing to
have two strings to your bow. 1t gives
You q choice, you know; or if one
should fail, you have the other to de-
pend upon.n
''Lottie, you're not in earnestp"
"Indeed | am. / like Tom Hos
handsomcr 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
MIR. Redmond was better match alto
gethcr."
"Why, Lottie, if you think in this
way, you cannot really care for Tom.
l felt sure that you and he would make
n match"
"Well, it isn't impossible. Only he
hasn't asked me yet"
"But he will"
Lottie laughed.
q. l.. .tIO
have Archie Redmond to fall back up
on. And suppose l can't get Archie?
Then there is Tom"
Tom Wheeler rose up slowly from
the sofa, and walked softly from tho
room out into the yard and garden.
$50 that is her game, is itp [ would
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 very pleasant af-
fair, as everybody everybody but
Tom Wheeler. Strive as he would a.
gainst it. he was consumed with ieal-
ousy and disappointment; and his un-
happiness was apparent to most look
ers-on. Even Mr.. Archie Redmond
perceived it.
x, "What's the mlttcr with Tom
WhcclcrP" he said, after tho latter
turned away. after giving an abrupt
reply to remark of his. "Hc is not
like himself to day"
Inc enquiry was addressed to his
cousin, Miss Redmond; but Miss
Iriplctt, the gossip and newsmonpor ~
the neighborhood took upon herself to
reply:
why, Mr.. Redmond" said she
archlX' "you ought to know if anyone
"IP What have to do with itP''
"What a look Of injured innocencei
But really you ought to be ashamed to
| flirt so, and cut out poor Tom Wheeler,
you naughty man,
And Miss Triplctt smilingly showed
her false teeth, and playfully tapped
Mr. Redmond on the shoulder with her
! fan.
Really, Miss Triplctt, you speak
in mysteries" "
You don't really mean to say that