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

ONLY HERSELF TO BLAME,
In the broad back porch of a pIeasau
farmhouse sat two girls engaged in som
light needleWUrk. The porch was shade.
by the wide branches Os an elm, beneat
which, at table sat tail. good lookin
young man, partaking of an eleven o'clocl
4 lunch.
He was evidently just from the field, 70
be was in his shirt sleeves. and a sunburn
straw hat lay on the g1sss, willis he partook
with healthy, hearty appetite, of the ligh
biscuits and fresh milk and butter placed be
fore him.
And as he ate he looked at the two voune
girls in the porch, particularly the prettier OF
the two, whose light-yeilOw hair the breeze
had huffed' most becomingly about her faIr
( face.
She had something of a cOquettisb look
! and air, while her companion was quiet,
with Thoughtful grey eyes and an almost diff
! fdent expression.
Mother called the young man presently.
/ looking towards tue open kitchen wIndow
/ some more milk if you please
/ Mrs. Wheeler came to the door with her
sleeves rolled up, and small pitcher In her
| hand.
Both girls rose to take it from her; but
she placed it, as il irstinctvely, in the hands
of the light haired girl, saying
Tom seems thirsty to day but meadow
ing in July is warm work
And hungry work, too, Tom remarked,
laughing. Thank you, Lottie; but won't
you stay and talk to me here while l eat?'
No, indeed I've too much to do to be
able to waste my time here in chatting
Why, that's something new? Don't Won
always sit and talk to me at lunch time p
Not always. by any means. And because
I've done it occasionally is no reason why l
should keep on doing it all my life.'
He looked up at her enquiringly
What's the matter. Lottie9 Anything hap
pened to vex you?
No, indeed How unreasonable you are,
Tom II am not always laughing and
chattering, you think / am out of temper
The girls on the porch looked up gravely
from one to the other. bat said nothing.
Tom slipped his milk slowly. HIS appetite
seemed suddenly to have deserted him.
The girl stood at little distance, partly
turned from him aud ewing on the rufie in
her hand.
After while, setting down his empty
mug, he said in a lower tone
'LOttie, wouldn't you like to drive to the
picnic to morrow in my new 5uggy?'
i don't know that l am going she an
sweIed without raising her head.
Not going Why, for what reason p
1t will be so hot and the road so dusty
she answered hesitatingly.
We'll, don't wish to take you against
your WILL he answered little coldly. L
wonder if Alice will 90 .
4 dare say she will. She expected To 90
in the carryall with the Burtons, but of
cCurse she will enjoy buggy ride more
Won't you Allie p
SO Tom Wheeler, who bad intended mere
ly to pique Lottie into accepting his offer,
found himself quite Unexpectedly drawn In
to an engagement to take Alice Brown to
the next days picnic.
And what was very puzzling to hint
was entirely Lottie's doings.
What could she mean by 1t 4? he wondered
for until now she had never refused his
escort anywhere.
Lottie was distantly related to the Wheel.
ers, and was in the habit of paying frequent
little visits to the farmhouse
Mrs. Wheeler liked to have young people
about her; and she was, moreover particu-
larly anxious that her only son Tom, should
marry aud settle down" with his wife on
the farm.
Sne had seen enough of late to copyiuce
her that Lottie was to be her sons choice
and she was well enough satisfied, though
Il te girl was little "fiQhty," ana not quite
so sensible and sterling as she could wish.
But that would wear off after marriage:
and Lottle certainly was a fine girl, and
Tom loved her; so the mother was anite con.
tent to let Tom have bis own way.
Only now and then she would catch her
self wondering whether Alice Brown the
niece of neIghbor and school friend of
hers, would not make Tom & more suitable
wife, and herself a more desirable dauoh-
ter-in-law.
That evening Tom Wheeler, coming up
from the meadow, caught distant view of
Lottie and Alice In lane leading to e pri-
vste road which ran as a boundary line be-
tween his farm and that of Squire Redmond.
Alice was gathering flowers in the hedge,
while Lnttie swung on the gate with care
less Rr ace peculiar to her, In conversation
with a nice young man, whose whole ap-
pearance bespoke him from the city.
A mOmentsry jealous pang SHOT through
Toms heart.
lie 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 Sunday had walked
home with her from church across the mea-
dows.
Now walking slowly, he watched the two,
until the gentleman. lifting his hat, turned
away, and Alice and Lottie came up the
lane towardslthe house.
Then Tom FASTENED his steps and over
took them.
Where have you been - he euquired.
TO Squire Redmond's, to see Miss Mari
on Redmond answered Lottie who VAS
cooking bright and smiling.