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

She looked up into his face with 8
charming little smile.
''Now, Tom, you have no right Il
scold. If Mr.. Redmond had offered t;
take Inc through the hot sun and dusty
road in buggy, | would have refused
lie knew l had refused your escort un
/ der those circumstances. so he pro
posed that we should walk He and
and Kate Redmond-through the
Marsden Woods. It's private wa,
you know, and 1 promised. Thev say
it's lovely walk, and being a direct
path. not too long"
Tom made no answer. LOttie af-
fe-ted not to perceive lis moodiness: but
was all smiles and sweetness. till near
the house he left them and turned
off to the stables, to see that the men
We're properly attending to the stock.
He did not stay long there. He felt
tired and depressed. and entering the
house, laid himself down upon a COM
Portable sofa in the parlor.
The windows We're open. and a 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' 5
voice at the porch:
Where's Tom? Not come in yet. l
suppose. Well. we will sit here till
supper's ready"
''LOttie,, said Alice. as the two
seated themselves on the bench inside
the screen of the roses. Il suspect that
Tom isn't very pleased, and really
think You are treating him very badly"
How SOP
know he loves yOu, and until within 4
few days, | feft 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
tureS?'
IF You love Tom. why do You ell
courage Mr.. Rcdmond?''
''Why. Allie, I'm not married to Tom
yet and | don't know that | ever shall
be. And, my dear. you ought to know
sccrct-it's always a good thing to
have two strings to your bow. 1t gives
you a choice, You know; or. if one
should fail, you have the other to de-
pend upon"
''Lottie, you re not in earnest?''
''1ndecd | am. | like Tom. He's
handsomer than Archie Redmond, and
richer, too, with this fine farm all his
own, and the money his father left
him; but some people would saw that
Mr.. Redmond was a better match alto
gether."
''Why, Lottic, if you think in this
way, you cannot really care for Tom.
felt sure that you and he would make
a 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 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 the.
room, out into the yard and garden
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-.
he picnic was a very pleasant af-
fair, rs everybody said-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.
What's the matter with Tom
Wheeler?" he said. after the latter
turned away, after giving an abrupt
reply TO Il remark of his. He is not
ike himself to day"
The enquiry was addressed to his
Miss Redmond; but Miss
lriplett, the gossip and newsmonger of
he neighborhood took upon herself to
reply:
Why, Mr.. Redmond said she
lrchly, you ought to know if anyone
loes."
81? What have l to do with it?''
''What look of injured innocencei
But really you ought to be ashamed to
1irt so, and cut out poor Tom Wheeler,
TOu naughty man.
And Miss lriplett smilinglv showed
Ter false teeth, and plavfuliy tapped
hr. Redmond on the shoulder with her
an.
= Really. Miss Triplett. you speak
n mysteries.
You don't really mean to say that
'ou did net know Tom Wheeler is as
rood as engaged to Lottie Steward?
Why it's been an understood fact for a
7ear past"
Redmond colorcd He had admired
-ottie, and been much struck with her
pretty face and sweet manners; and
his news regarding her had somehow
Iffected him unpleasantly.
Il never before heard of this" he
aid quietly.
''Is it possible? But then You have
'een here so short Il time. Well, in
hat case we will exonerate you. But
here is no excuse for Lottie Steward. |
\ girl that can change as suddenly as
he has towards Tom Wheeler must be
Iltogether heartless.' i
Archie Redmond overheard one or
wo other similar remarks during the |
lay, and watching Lottie closely, he
aw that while she gave him undoubted |
she yet seemed anxious |
o not entirely break off with Tom.
He was panied, for he had. uncon-
ciously to himself. become interested
n the pretty sprightly girl.
''She is deceiving either him or my
elf, he thought, land in either case,
5 not the right sort of a girl for me-"
Tom" whispered Lottie, with one !
# her sweet smiles, ''as Alice is to go |
lomc with her mother from the picnic, |
IN ride back with you in the buggy.
we told Mr.. Redmond that I'm too
ired for the long walk back"
"Thank you!" said Tom coldly.
But Alice won't ride home with her
mother. I've promised TO take her
lome in my buggy"
Lottie turned and looked around for
Archie Redmond. She would have to
xplain, and walk back with him,
which was no disagreeable prospect,
espite her declaration of WEAKNESS.
The WEAKNESS, in fact, had been as
umed; for she saw that Tom was not
leased, and wished to pnt him i'll a
'ood humor again.
Where is Mr.. Redmond?" she said
astily to Katie, who was at the mo-
nent skipping past.
Cousin Archie? oh, he's gone home
nth the Calverts-Miss Calver asked
i'm and l. N, vile u-ith