The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-02-21
DAISY'S LAST FOLLY

Among the cool, green trees the lamps
shed dim, delicious light, and the broad,
smooth walks were filled with promenaders.
Just beyond the park the long esplanude was
adorned with strings of gorgeous lanterns
and thronged with people. Here had been
erected pavilion for iavorite band-here
was to be music and dancing-and here was
to be the free and gay reception of the 'In-
dependent Guard" whose brilliant uniforms
were occasionally seen in sad contrast with
the coarsey rough garbs of curious women
and idle men.
Moving slowly through the restless, chang
ing crowd which he scrutinized qulchly and
keenly as if searching anxiously for some
particular face was fine-looking, plainly
dressed young man, who finally drew aside
into a vacant space between the park and
the esplanade.
al know she is here, though I cannot see
her." was his thought while his troubled
eyes did not cease to scan the scores and
scores of people passing him. "But l must
find her. If there is any disturbance she
will need protector-my poor, foolish little
girlp
Just then crash of martial music filled
the air, and great electric light flashed its
strange, strong white blaze upon the moving
multitudes; like gow-worms looked the
lamps among the trees and even the full ra-
diant summer moon seemed growing wan
and dim.
In that uncanny splendor he started, and
then stood still, gazing upon two who were
approaching, afih-ln-arm, petite, childish
grl, with long curls, tinted like flax straw
and saucy, laughing eyes, blue as flax flow.
ers form of "airy, fancy grace, clothed in
pale violet muslin, of some exquisitely be
coming make, and dainty, plquant face
shaded by large, coquettish hat, of viole
satin and stylish man, tall and 1.-THE o
figure, and dark, handsome, superciliou
countenance, and who wore q dazzling uni
form of scarlet and gold, and a picturesqu,
black hat, with long, white feather.
GLOW dare he come here in that dress, ,th
brazen imposter?" muttered the watcher
almost aloud. "The wonder of the gapinJ
rGbble may be sweet to his shallow vanity
but he cannot dupe the noble guard. Poo
Daisyw s-. H1. ...
, The lady must have heard his mutterin
tone, for her cheeks grew redly hot and he
swiftly uplifted eyes dropped from the pale
pleading, and reproachful face, abashed al
though defiant still, o.. la
They passed on few steps and then pau!
p ed at an empty seat beneath a tree partly i
shadow.
He who was watching saw her escort ben
over her as if with gallant excuses and the
: turn rapidly away toward the pavilion
Z leaving her quite aloneJ and he Instant
went to her.
"Oh, Daisy, why did you come here wit
that man ~ he asked, kindly and sadly.
{ The girl did not answer. She only pc
tishly turned away her pretty face.
"My child" went on Hector Lynne, yer
: gravely, "you ought not stay here longe
Look down the walksj do you not see ho'
all the best people are leaving and ho'
crowds of rude men and women are coming
There will be trouble here before the dane
ing is over. Let me take you home at ono,
: Daisy"
"Thank you," she returned, coldly, o.
though she looked little scared 18th
. gentleman with whom came will take m
!: home when I wish to CO." ..
), As she spoke, the wind stirring in the tire
above them lifted shadowy brauch, an
the broad, bright light fell upon her-upo
her fair childish face aud one little hand tina
i wore a golden hoop of betrohal
As her companion saw that glitter of gol
and CLEAN of pearl, he bent down and too
the resisting hand in his firm grasp.
"This is not my ring, Daisy" he said, al
most sternly; "this is not the ring you wor
a week ago when we had our first quarrel
our foolish little quarrel Where is mine
Why do YOU wear this? Surely, my dat
+ ling, you have not broken your promise
me because of one angry word ?"
al will not be questioned" she returne
y angrily. "You are to blame for it ALI an
l shall be Captain Aylsworth's wife,"
! And think you will not be, Daisy,
c was the quick reply, '.tor there is no Capiai
q Aylest0orth. My child, will you listen
. me for Just one moment? This man claim
to belong to a New England regiment Of
I, certain number. have assured myself thl
no such number erer eriSted. I know, to'
that the uniform he wears tonight was som
time ago worn on the stage by an actor, VIII
y having no further use for it, sold il to Coz
Il tuner, from whom your escort hired Il tn
is afternoon to serve his purpose tonight
reception like this, at night, in the open a
90 in place where all are free to come, is ju
II the sort of entertainment to attract an aC
:; venturer like him. Little Dairy, now wi
n. you let me take you away"
n. For an instant her blue eyes, defiant b.
r stnl frightened, were fixed upon him.
81 do not believe you" she cried, vehen
emily; "because you are jealous you woul
= SANDER him-that is al"
u She sprang from her seat, and as she di
so Captain Aylsworth, in his uniform
"a scarlet gold, the long white feather Of b
Of black hat waving in the fresh night win'
II came TO her, gave her his arm with ga
liant gesture, aud led her away into Il
midst Of the crowd.
u.<tor T,-nna ,,ronnntIv hut osutiousl