The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-01-18
DAIsY's COURTSHIP.

OhlS US COURTSHIP.
The old-fashioned kitchen door stood
wide open, and the strong, sweet west
wind poured through the sanded-loored
room, swaying in slow, graceful waves
the blue muslin skirts of Daisy Mays
wrapper, as she stood beside the table
arranging a pile of stemless flowers
an a shallow glass dish.
"Indeed, IN never marry a farmer,
=auntie. i love the country well enough
here at home, where nothing but the
poetry of it falls to me-gathering
flowers, drinking creamy milk, sketch,
ing shady spots, driving whenever
want TO, and always sent luscious things
to eat-and in winter rides, and singing,
aud plenty of books and my music"
"And John Maurice" Her aunt
tackled the name very tersely at the end
of the long list of attractions; then
watched to see the effect on Daisy
face.
The pretty lips pouted charmingly.
"Mauricel Oh, Johns good enough,
of course: but
sits good thing you have got over
your childish attachment to him, Daisy,
for he's going to be married soon. En-
gagged to one of the prettiest girls you
ever saw-a Miss Winchester, visiting
at Castledean's"
Dsisy's eyes grew little darker, and
then she elevated her eyebrows coldly.
"He's engaged, is hep Oh, well that s
perfectly natural, | am sure. I suppose
Miss-Miss Winchester did you sayP-
] suppose she is a decided blonde, and
petite 90
Daisy didn't say that Maurice had of
ten sworn that there was no other style
OF beauty for him but Daisy's own.
"Oh, bless you, MOI Miss Winchester
is tall, almost as tall as John, and very
stately, and lovely brunette. Every
body thinks John lucky fellow"
Daisy arose and took down her gar
den hat.
81 dare say he is-only l never could
see what there is about those tall, dark
women to captivate any body. Auntie,
I'm going over to Minnie Castledean's
awhile-may I?"
Mary watched the petite, graceful fig.
ure in the navy-blue foulard cambria,
and white tarletan shade-hat tied over
the clustering, floating curls, and nod
ded her head wisely, and smiled serene,
~.
"You Darlington perfect darling tc
come to US. Daisy, I've been Just dy,
ing to see you, and have you at home
again. We're going to have the mos
jolly times this summer, you know
The house is full, and there is Nellie
Winchester especially want you &c
know, and the handsomest young Off
Ger on leave-Gus brought him up
Colonel Cressington; and we've i'm.
pressed John Maurice-you remember
John. He's the handsomest felfoS-
beats the Colonel, tell you, Ind Mel.
lies just bewitched after tiim.n
And Daisy laughed. and assented, and
declared she taIf remembered Johr
Maurice, Fad was dying to see Miss
winchester, and intended inaugurating
:. Irritation at once with the military
gentleman.
Minnie ratified on, as 17-year-old girls
have a way of doing.
cts too bad! Nell's gone down tc
the city to-day to buy ribbon for the
picnic-oh, you'll surely be here mex
Tuesday for our picnic at Eagles Head
Daisy? 1 suppose John Maurice viii
take Nellie, and l am sure Colone
Cressington will be delighted to escor
you"
"Colonel Cressington will be hap
pier than ever before in his life, if ht
may have that honor, Miss Minnie"
When her morning call was over
Colonel Cressington insisted on walking
home with her, and Daisy permitted il
not because he was so handsome and
so entertaining, or she so pleased with
him, but becanse-wen, she felt little
provoked at hearing so many praises Of
the lady to whom John Maurice was en-,
gagged; and somehow it made her fee
better to Airt little.
And, as if the very Fates themselye,
were propitious, who should she and he,
gallant cavalier meet, face to face, fo
the first time in three years to Daisy
but John Maurice?
John Maurice-so perfectly splendit
in his clear, dark, manly beauty, hi
stylish clothes-every thing just as
should be.
This John Maurice-and-and en-
gagged to Nelly Winchester!
Daisy's heart gave bound as he ez
tended a hand which she saw had
plain gold ring on the little finger.
And then she crushed ali the Joy sh
had felt at seeing him, and gave hin
her hand with cool, graceful littl
bow.
"Daisy May! is it possiblea Why
you are prettier than ever, and-I de
clare, Daisy, am awfully glad your
home again."
He was so easily familiar, so frank
and engaged to her t7ftt 20
Daisy smiled. g
Thank you, Mr.. Maurice, for you
good viii. am glad to see you"