The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-04-19
Daisy's Courtship.

The old fashioned kitchen door stood
wide open, and the strong, sweet west
wind poured through the sanded flOored
room, swaying in slow, graceful waves
the blue muslin skirts of Daisy Mays
morning wrapper as she stood beside the
table arranging a pile Of stemless flow
ers in a shallow glass dish.
"lndeed, I'll never marry farmer,
auntie. | love the country well enough
here, at home, where nothing but the
poetry of it falls to me-gathering flow,
ers, drinking creamy milk, sketching
shady spots, driving wherever | want
to, and always sent luscious things to
eat-and in winter rides and sleighing,
and 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's
face.
The pretty lips pOuted charmingly.
"Mauricel Oh, Johns good enough,
of course; but"
"It's good thing you have got over
your foolish 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.
Daisy's eyes grew little darker, and
then she elevated her eyebrows coldly.
"He's engaged, is he? Oh, well, that's
perfectly natural, lam sure. Isuppose
Miss-Miss Winchester, did you ssyP-
| suppose she Is decided blonde, and
petiteS"
Daisy didn't say that Maurice had
often sworn that there was no other
style of beauty for him but Daisy's
own.
ooh, bless you, mol Miss Winchester
is tall, almost as tall as John, and very
stately, and lovely brunette. Every
body thinks John a lucky fellow"
Daisy rose and took down her garden
hat.
81 dare say he ls-only | never could
see what there was about those tall,
dark women to captivate anybody. Pm
going over to Minnie Castledean' sawhile
--may ?"
Mary watched the petite, graceful fig
ure In the navy blue foulard cambric,
and white tarletan shade hat, tied over
the clustering, floating curls, and
nodded her head wisely and smiled Sc
Tenely.
"You darling you perfect darling to
come to US. Daisy, Pve been just dying
to see you aud have you at home again.
We're going to have the most jolly time
this summer, you know. The house is
full, and there is Nellie Winchester es-
peclally want you to know, and the
handsomest young officer on leave-Gus
brought him up-Colonel Cressington
and we've impressed John Maurice
you remember John, He's the hand
soonest fellow-beats the colonel, tell
you, and Nellie's just bewitched after
him." .
And Daisy laughed and assented, and
declared she half remembered John
Maurice, and was dying to see Miss
Winchester, and intended inauguratlng
q Irritation at once with the military
gentleman.
Minnie ratified on, as seventeen-year
old girls have way of doing.
"lt's too bad Nell's gone down to
the city to-day to buy ribbons for the
picnie--oh, you'll surely be here next
Tuesday for our picnic at Eagles
Head, Daisyp suppose John Maurice
will take Nellie, and am sure Colonel
Cressington will be delighted to be your
escort" ....lG
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
mot because he was so handsome and
80 entertaining, or she so pleased with
him, but beoause-well, she felt little
provoked at hearing so many praises Of
the lady TO whom John Maurice was
engaged; and somehow 1t made her feel
better to ilirt 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 Aaurlce-so perfectly splendid
In his clear, dark, manly beauty, hi
stylish olothes--everything just as 1t
should lie.
This John Maurioe-and-and en-
gagged to Nellie Winchester
Daisy's heart gave a bound as he ex-
tended u hand which she saw had a plain
gold ring on the little finger.
And then she crushed all the Joy she
had felt at seeing him, and gave him
her han1 with cool, graceful little
bow.
"Daisy May is 1t possibleY Why,