Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-09-25
PICKLE FORTUNE.
BY CARRIE X. woop.

She was lying in the meadow, in the midst
OF the clover, with lazy clouds floating over
summer breeze. Only a simple girl. not
Ialr, not very young, plain aud dark. - girl
OF twenty, with passionate heart throbbiug
win bitter, bitter pain. In all this world,
bathed in warm sunlight, there was no nIass
Tor Daisy May, no kind voice to comfort her
no loving eyes 10 note the feveriSh flush on
In the white farmhouse beyond the clover,
on the green sloping hill. there she lived
lived? no. no! What life can ba so wretrhei
as me weary dragging one OF a tired nesrt.
Poor Daisy! When the Winters mists
were fading, and a fresh green mantle steal
Ing over the earth, Dennis Claiburne had
come home from college with his IN erry WAYS
and handsome face. And she, ah simple
foolish Daisy, she had worShiped the teasing
boy, and he, thodghtless as became his ma
ture, plying the sad servant with her large
dark eyes, hat been kind TO her very kind
until bright Bonnie Devereaux came q visit
MS Invalid sister. Lovely Bonnie, with her
heavy braids, her fair complexion aud mar
vicious ribbons.
Then Dennis could spare no time for utter
ing KIND words. Driving with Bonnie, wan
der1ng In the garden with her, reading poetry
In the spacious library with a white hand in
his, admirtng the dainty rufies and the win
ming ways OF his sisters guest, Daisy saw IL
all. She was merely a bit OF furniture Bon
ME scorned her, and Dennis forgot her. One
morning, hay glorious Summers morn
ing, tne man being busy, she was sent TO
saddle Bonnie's uneasy dancing pony on
the boating, the aching of the heart There
STOOD Dennis, holding his big black horse,
ana pending eagerly toward Bonnie, whose
cheeks were softly flushed, and whose ewes
shone happily. She led the pony up to the
Come, hold Dandy, while I help Miss
Bonnie" he commanded. AS she took the
reins from his hand she raised her passionate
eyes to his, full Of pleading, but his met hers
earnestly, and he turned hastily to Bonnie.
An old lilac tree near, gave a little creaking
sound, so mournful and low and how IL
brought the tears into the big dark eyes.
They were still there when Dennis and Bon
ME rode away, melting in this dim mist.
The Overburdened heart gave way then and
rushing out into the meadow, she flung her
self down into the clover and moaned out
were deadi"
How strange it all was! The happy crick-
cts sang as they hoped, the bees busily
gathered sweets from the nodding clover
bios SONS. purple heads bending toward each
other, and murmuring dreamily amongst
themselves. Presently a step passed through
the clover, and hand was laid upon the
shoulder OF the crouching girl.
what is IL? Who wants mel On, let me
| be! IL is cool here. Let me rest. Something
comforts me out here"
my poor girl, can help you?"
Daisy sprang up from the ground, the tears
still in her eyes, her hands still clasped. A
noble, reverend man stood before her, with
white silvery hair, and tender blue ewes that
told OF generous sympathy.
'Oh sir, forgive me, I-I-oh.' she burst
into wild Sobs that shook her whole form.
my poor, poor girl"
His hand wandered gently, earnestly, over
Who are yon that speaks kindly to me,
and pities me?''
| 81 am Mr.. Lensworth, a minister. I met
the gay couple riding down the lane. asked
| for an inn and the young gentleman directed
me here. Forgive me for intruding, but L
| have seen so many aching hearts, So many
| weary, worn soulsl III could only com fort
| one, and save il from misery"
| mime is not worth IL. / am all alone in
me world. Oh, wish were dead, 1 wish
| were dead!"
| The gentleman stood for a few moments in
contemplation. then asked in his grave, kind
voice: MAY ask, i'm return, your manner,
daisy May. I'm only a servant
Poor girl, and have you no friend?''
"NOt In the wide world -
| "But You have One above"
| 81 have prayed for peace, / have prayed for
his love. He heard me not"
| he has heard you aud sent me in an
She folded her hands YEARLY, aud looked
at him with pathetic eyes.
| ~ am going to my home in New York; 1
VII! take you with me-"
| "Me?"
"Yes, If your mistress is willing"
"Oh, but can't CO."
| "Why, Daisy?'
You will know; why shouldn't tell you?
| love him. can't leave him. am so weak
now. Why have you core here TO find out
| my secret, by being kind to me when am
| lonely?"
| "Daisy. come with me-"
| LIE girl arose ana Wdlkel Swiftly toward
the house, followed by the gentleman, his
white head bent, his face full of tender pity.
She went into the dining room with DOWN
cast eyes and began busying herself about
some little trifie. Oh, the long tedious day!
| Work, work, work, and her brain in confu-
sion. Dennis was more careless, and Bonnie
! more charming than ever, that evening. The
| noble gentleman whose horse had met with
an accident which prevented his proceeding
| further for little time, watched Daisy con-
| stantly. The next morning Mrs. Clafburne
| Kitchen. rms =
| ling silk. daisy" she began, clearing her
| throat, Mr.. Lensworth offers you high
| wages as maid for his daughter. Sally
| Briggs is ready TO take your place, and"
| Daisy burst into tears. A gust of wind
came screaming up the bill and dashed open
sbont ,be Inc I1 Tln9 was crying out angrliy
| came with ii, sometimes, for Dennis and
Bonnie were singing i'm the parlor.
| "There is no need TO be distressed about 10.
Daisy. Do just as you like!" The miserable
girl went TO the window; a holyhock which
she had carefully tended rocked angrily in
| the wind, a few chickens ran toward the
| park, and the old family dog whined at the
| door.
I'm sure, Daisy" continued her mistress,
| 81 shall be glad 10 have you stay"
| "Oh, If you love me say so" came in a me
| lodious strain from the parlor. The dog
| looked at the hollyhock, and the chickens
| reached the park. Daisy turned from the
| window with deep moan. 81 will CO." she
| Stammered.
the next morning Sally Briggs answered
4
| looked up with a questioning expression in
his brown eyes. "Daisy has got another
| place." said his mother. Bonnie, smiling
| archly, asked saucy question about some
occurrence OF the previous evening, and only
| the holly hock remembered Daisy, aud that
| dying, there was no monument for the Door
| girl in the big white house on the hill.
| The ocean was grumbling to itself, and
reaching its angry little wavelets toward the
lowering mist, through which a few sun
beams streamed TO dance upon its turbulent
surface. The mist fioated over IT. and
stretched away over the land to the high
blue sky, settling upon black rock over
which the white spray few, when the winds
were high. A slender form, seemingly
child OF the mist, stood on this rock. Dark
hair falling in Wild confusion and tossed by
| the sea breeze, white robes futtering and
| streamb g toward the land, clasped hands
| raised, eyes full Of mourning; ali, Daisy, al
| ways mourning with the mist thick about
! you! A sea gull wings its weary way by her,
FAR of little hamlet shows, with simple
| houses and a high church spire. The form
| does not move; but for the spasmodic twitch-
ing OF the lips, one would take IL for a statue.
"Moanie, dear me, where have you been? Do
come away from that treacherous rock"