The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-01-18

sington will be delighted to be your es-
cort."
"Colonel Cressington will be happier
than ever before in his life, if he may
have that honor, Miss Minnie"
When her morning call was over. Col
Onel Cressington insisted on walking
home with her, and Daisy permitted it
not because he was SO handsome and so
entertaining, or she 50 pleased with him,
but because-well, she felt little pro-
voked at hearing so many praises of the
lady to whom John Maurice was ell
gagged; and somehow it made her feel
better to hirt little
And, as if the very fates themselves
were propitious, who should she and her
gallant cavalier meet, face to face for the
first time in three years to Daisy, but
John Maurice?
John Maurice-so perfectly splendid
in his clear, dark, manly beauty, his styl-
ish clothes-everything just as it should
| be.
This John Maurice-and-an engaged
to Nellie Winchester
Daisy's heart gave bound as he 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 her
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 frauk-
and engaged to her
Daisy smiled.
"Thank you, Mr.. Maurice, for your
good will. L am glad to see you"
1t was very proper, very ladylike, but
a shadow came over Johns handsome
face.
"I hope shall see you often, Daisy.
You'll be at the picnic on Tuesday :?
Cressington, keep that sunshade over her
head. Goodbye till see you again"
His horse was prancing restlessly, and
he was off like a dart and ont of sight
when Daisy bowed goodbye to her uni
formed gallant at the gate.
"What 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 III loose FURNISHED waves, aud
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.
"You might travel a seven days jour
ney 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 in
the co7--,try-Elge Wire, and it's stock
ed first class, rap tell you. He's bound
to make n fortune, and they say that
Winchester girl'll bring him consider
able"
"Herl never thinA Of her money.
He's not that kind of a man at all.
Aunt Mary stole glance at the girls
face.
Johns 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 I had taken
a notion to John. But you see-I
haven't"
She threw a kiss coquettishly and van
ished through the door to have foolish
cry mp i'll her room before she dressed
herself.
And when Colonel Cressington drew
up III 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, i'll time to |
get a bow and 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 were good-very good
friends.
The long summer day had crept |
pleasantly along, and the heightened |
shadows We're warning the gay picnick-
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 tar niente generally, while Maurice |
was walking about unobserved, unre- |
membered by the others, with head bent !
down, as if III close search for something |
lost-his ring that until several minutes !
before he had not missed, and missing,
had at once commenced to hunt for.
Not that it was so valuable.
But a panied, white look ON his face |
that had been there at intervals all day |
as he thought how dear that |
simple band was to him and why.
He went nn and on ca,,opot;nCr f,,pfl, !
and further from the party, until sobs, !
low, indistinct, as if unsuccessfully sup
pressed, but unmistakable sobs, attracted !
his attention, and a 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 |
with violent weeping, and !
glistening on her fair finger the circlet of
gold for which he was searching.
Seeing him she sprung to her feet, and |
dashing the 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 to |
make her strong and Indifferent |
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 i'll
her face, with his own pale and eager.
Daisy, tell me you were cryii;5 be-
cause you love me. Is it so? Daisy, |
my only, my own darling. 1 almost