Litchfield enquirer., 1874-12-03
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to try very hard to think oniyj@ of Bart ,mand m succeeded in so far that she found out be- fore very long that he looked troubled he set his lips together as he worked. as if he had somethfng upon his mind ts and M was pondering it over. What c6uIdit be? Was it possible that het t0J6-1but no. The had neves cafed for any woman in his life. He was not like other men in that re- speet. :off h A7iFf''- '2 teT l,,e
 Her heart, always a tender one, was rem dered so much more tender by her secret trouble that she thought more of the sad ness Bart might feel than she would have done at any other time, perhaps, and her recognition of the grave pain in his face clung to her. a3 aJz 0-13 9a1 .na935E 0'l
 ''It must mean something,'' '' she said. ''I never saw him look so before. It seems strange that Bart should have a trouble. Perhaps somebody has fallen from grace. That would hurt him, I know. He is so good, and cares so much for people," And then all at once sort of sudden light seemed to dawn upon her, and she looked sorrowful again. 'Perhaps," she said. slowly and regretfully perhaps I have not thought enough how good he is. I am afraid that sometimes I have forgotten his goodness, and only remembered that. 1 he seemed rather dull" .,.,.,..-
 In her little fit of peniten1ce she was was , 50 sweet and gentle when Bart came in that he saw the change in moment, and was quite touched by it. as we'll he might be, knowing what he did. There was more in kindly, quiet Bart than poor little Desi- rec ever suspected, and his: eyes were quicker than she would like to have fam eied. He took his cue with tender apt ness this evening, and submitted to being amused with generous gratitude Desires tried very hard to amuse him when sup- per was over. She tied oR her hat and followed him about. talking to him in her pretty, soft way while he fed and, secured the stock for the night, aud when they're turned to the house she sat down upon the steps of the porch quite near him, bent on being good and showing him that she liked to be with him. .~ I.40.I ai
 "I will ask him to tell me what has troubled him, she said to herself. q am almost as much his sister as if his mother had been mine" ..-.}r Ery.s, ,
 So she gathered courage to speak, and crept up to the subject with as much di- plomaey as soft round ball of three weeks old kitten might have shown, ,tnG r 1 'Bart," she said, after little silence, "do you know what I was thinking of when I was making biscuit at the window before supperY' ,atoI a-/ .sEat9I ,J | ''l don't believe I could guess, tDaisy," he answered.
 She twisted the strings of her hat for a 1 minute, and looked at him with innocent gravity. ss.I-...f .r. a f4.t 5
 1T was thinking" she said. ''that you | were not quite happy" r....s, -...
 He actually gave faint start as he l turned toward her. And then, after his | swift glance at, her face, she was sure he appeared relieved: and then, another ex- pression showing itself as quickly, she was emboldened to stretch out her kind little hand and put it into his big brown one. He took it with an odd betting read mess, almost as if he would like to protect her from something. I. ''My pretty Daisy!" he said, in voice quite new to herr 10 s3aBooJ4 2aIVoi8 z
 It was very queer, she thought, that the tears should spring to her eyes, with such foolish suddenness. They. were there in q second, and she could not keep them back Was it because she was sorry for Bart. or because she was sorry for herselfe Perhaps she was a bit sorry for herself, and 1t made her sorry for Bart, too. Anu SuO W0ub Ous 1GO1uR glad that he was holding her hand on h1s knee, ''that if you had any trouble on your mind. perhaps-perhaps might help you, if you would not mind trusting me with it, because, you see, am almost like your own sister," .,q... .ve a4, My pretty Daisyi" he said; "my dear, tender little Daisyw but not word more.
 "If, she faltered- -''if you had ever cared for any body" 1.5 s..F
 "Cared for any body?' lie interposed-, feared for any body, Daisy?"
 She blushed to her very throat-such a proud, sensitive, innocent blush! sara
 Loved any body" she said-"loved any body as-as people love each other when they would like to spend all their lives together. But you know you have never loved like that, Bart"
 His great, strong hand closed upon hers with such force that she turned to look at him, and the moment she saw his face she gave little start and little fright ened cry.
 "Bart," she said, s'dear Bart, is that it? Oh, how pale and sad you are! Is it that you do care for somebody" .F }
 He sOds pale and sad, but he managed to smile in his own kindly way.
 Daisy, he said, ''is this the first time you have ever thought might love in that way?-is it the very first time the thought has ever come to you ?'
 II think" she faltered, feeling terribly nce-stricken-'I ana afraid it is. "
 "Ah, well!' he sighed, still trying to smile. "I suppose it is because I am not the sort of man girl would connect with the thought of love- 1a.-. -- ...... ..a
 "Oh, no, no!'' she protested, holding his hand tight.
 But even the soft grasp did not seem to comfort him He looked out into the moonlight sadly still. ~-.r.. .- .
 And you have never guessed once not even once-whom I might love?" & '-
 ''I'm afraid not, she answered. ''I must have been very blind and selfish, but I'm afraid not. s..
 There was silence for few minutes, in which Bart looked out at the moonlight with what seemed to Desiree strange, strange smile.
 "Wen we'll, 2 he said, ''lt must be better as it is.''
 But" said Desiree. ''lf only knew if you would only tell me-
 My dear," Bart answered, sit was not my own trouble that made me look sad My own trouble is so old that sometimes fancy that have taught myself to bear it patiently. was thinking of trouble which fear is coming to some one else-- the some one whom I love; and the thought of her pain was harder for me to bear than any pain of my own could ever be-"
 Poor fellow!" whispered Deslree- 'spoor fellow! I see now. Iwon't ask any more questions It is her secret as well us yours" ..s- 4.=.-.4 -- s.-I
 They were very quiet for while after this; but Desiree did not draw her hand away from Bart's, and when they began to talk again softly. he still held it, indeed, he did not let go until she left him to go t" her room. He was holding it when she bade him goodnight, and then it was that she asked her last question, her sweet pity for hlm filling her upraised eyes,
 Does she know that you love hera" T
 "No.''
 'sNo?' wondering at him. ''But you will tell her some day?'' '
 He shook his head. saGe.-f e
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