The Beaufort tribune and Port Royal commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1877-1879, 1877-01-25

to Nellie Winchester
Daisy's heart gave q bound as lie ex'
tended hand which she saw had plain
gold ring on the little finger.
And then she crushed all the Joy she
had felt at seeing him, and gave him hel
hand with a cool, graceful little bow
"Daisy May is it possible? Why,
you are prettier than ever, and-I de-
clare, Daisy, I am awfully glad you're
home again.
He was so easily familiar, so frank
and engaged 10 her
Daisy smiled.
"Thank you, Mr.. Maurice, for your
good will. I am glad to see you"
1t was very proper, very ladylike, but
a shadow came over Johns handsome
face.
81 hope j shall see YOU often, Daisy.
You'll be at the picnic on Tuesday
Cressington, keep that sunshade over her
head. Goodbye till I see you again.
His horse was prancing restlessly, and
he was off like dart and out OF sight
when Daisy bowed goodbye to her uni"
formed gallant at the gate.
"What a handsome fellow John Maur-
ice has grown to be, hasn't he, uncle .
Daisy was slipping her coffee slowly
that Tuesday morning-a cloudless June
day, that the gods had arranged for the
Castledean party's picnic, and Daisy, her
lovely golden hair brushed off her fore
head in loose FURNISHED waves, and
caught at the back of the head with pale
blue ribbons, was impatiently trying to
get through her toilet.
Her uncle buttered slice OF home
made bread with keen relish.
s.You might travel seven days jour
new and not come across his equal. And
he's lucky too. He sold his interest in
that railroad for ten times what he gave,
enough to buy him the prettiest farm III
the country--lllge Wire, and it's stock
ed first-class, c&2 tell you. He's bound
to make fortune, and they say that
Winchester grill b-ii2;r him consider
able"
"Hen never think OF her money.
He's not that kind of man at all"
Aunt Mary stole glance at the girls
face.
"John's a splendid fellow, and his
wife'll be the happiest woman going. l
do say, Daisy, nothing would have
pleased your uncle and I better if John
had taken notion to YOU.
"You should have said if l had taken
notion to John. But you see-l
haven't"
She threw kiss coquettishly and van
ished through the door to have foolish
crv up in her room before she dressed
herself.
And when Colonel Cressington drew
up in his two horse phaeton, he thought
he never had seen such perfect picture
of girlish beauty and happiness in all
his life.
And Maurice dashed by in his chaise
with Nellie Winchester, radiant in white
muslin and rose hued ribbons, in time to
get bow and q cleaning smile from
Daisy. and to think, with another of
those shadows on his face that Daisy
had seen before, that Colonel Crossing
ton and Daisy We're good-very good
friends.
The long. summer day had crept
pleasantly along, and the heightened
shadows were warning the gay picnich-
ers it was time to be preparing for re-
turn.
Colonel Cressington and Nellie Win
chester had strolled off arm in arm an
hour before, and Minnie Castledean and
a dozen others were lounging on the soft
sward, gossiping, laughing and enjoying a
dolce far nicnte generally, while Maurice
was walking about unobserved, mre-
membered by the others, with head bent
down, as if in close search for something
lost-his ring that until several minutes
before he mad not missed, and missing,
had at once commenced to hunt for.
Not that it was so valuable.
But panied, white look on his face
that had been there at intervals all day
intensified as he thought how dear that
simple band was to him and why.
He went on and on, separating further
and further from the party, until sobs,
low, indistinct, as if unsuccessfully sup
pressed, but unmistakable sobs, attracted
his attention, and seconds continuance
in the direction he was going brought
him in full view of Daisy May, with her
head bowed on her hands and her frame
convulsed with violent weeping, and
glistening On her fair finger the circlet oi
gold for which he was searching.
Seeing him she sprung to her feet, and
dashing tbs tears from her eyes, said
81 found your ring, Mr.. Maurice"
She drew it off her finger and handed
it to him, calling all the powers of an
unhappy, foolish little heart to her aid t.
make her strong and indifferent-wht
had been sitting there kissing and crying
over Johns engagement ring.
John took the ring, and, holding it be
tween his fingers and thumb, looked IL
her face, with his own pale and eager.
"Daisy, tell me you were crying be
cause YOU love me. Is it so? Daisy
my only, my own darling. [ almos
dread to have your answer, for fear i
will be no. But-do you love me, m,
darling ?"
, A sudden glory fashedsover her face
her very soul looking out of her eyes
| Then, her lips quivering piteously: