Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-12-21
MIscELLANEous.
DALToN's SWEETHEART,

"Ia Az II you ,med it 7" she asked. peep.
eS ing at him from beocath her sun-bst
es, he answered. gazing at her as she
leaned back against the old guarled tree
with daisy IN her pretty hand.
A sunbeom peGPed through the branches
over their heads, aud kissed little Golden
curl that had strayed from the keepipv of
the picturesque rough hat; kissed tho sweat
brown eyes, making them laugh and dance.
kissed merry little mouth, aud at last
rested GU the fair daisy, tho childhood Of
The snnbeDms
81 wonfer who you have named il Mr.
Dalton Will you tell me. alterworti 2'
III tho daisy is wise and has the number
OF petals WISH, he said, With a look which
made Ethel Clifford drop her eyes Gnioklv
as one by Que she threw the snowy retSls
Into her lap. whispering softly, 'Friendshjp.
love indifference, hate"
One by one she picked M tho little tall
tale thugs, picked them up with such lin
gering touch, and held them in his firm
hand; for was not the daisy his-dear little
type of whose name it bore.
Meanwhile the sunbeam peened nj him
and lighted a mauly, honost, earnest face
that only half revealed tho chivnlfous spirit
and concentration of thought and aim that
made Edward Dalton the true man that ho
was
"Oh. Mr.. Dalton. know you'll be
pleased; it's frieudship!" said Ethel, with a
frank smila. ''1
A shadow passed over his face.
But ain not. Miss Ethel"
'Not." she cried, growing earnest. "Oh.
why not? Don't you feel that rriepd,bin
means life long trust ?"
"Ycur words mike me feel deeply that
am not satisfied with the flowers decree. ro,
[ named tho daisy Ethel"
deep sigh heaved from tho sympatbe etic
heert through the duivcriug little lips.
"0h, Mr Dalton, am SO sorry"
why, Ethel2" ho sadly asked
"because-be -becuuse I am SO fond of you;
| love so much to be with ysu. and go long
that We should be as the daisy says
friends"
"But doD's you feel, deop down in your
heart, that even yonr beautiful picture OF
friendship is cold z Add to it the flooding
sunlight OF love, and you know what give
| you and what [ ask for 10 return"
But the answer was almost sob.
COB. Mr. Dalton, l am so sorry"
Think of it prayerfully one little moment,
dearest. God grant you, do you know your,
The little head fell for a moment on The
clasped handa. Theo she raised her true,
brown eyos with beseeching glance, and
simply said, "Only friendship"
The manly. brave face was turned away,
but Edward Dalton folded Iittlo hand in
one of his, while he whispered:
God bless you, child. Good,byer'
The to>dnys quickly turned into yester.
days, and Ethel CIifard's life was happy
altogether happy.
~ II. 81.
own heart tha: juno morning when Edward
Dalton had said, Good, bye !" for surely Il
was not love that she had felt for him. no,
the deep, burning love that she had dreamed
of in.her wODrn's fancies, SO she put him
away with sigh for his sorrow, and lived
on her happy, busy little life. But, as the
months rolled By, shadow fell on hel
happy heart; she knew not what it meant.
and, plunged deeper into the pleasures and
duties of her life. but the shadow grew into
craving, as shadows often will
One sunny June day, as she was rambling
in the fields, she came unexpectedly to the
spot where year before Edward Dalton had
told her the story of his love She had ever
avoided the spot since then. She did moi
know why. But there sbe was, and So sbe
fingered. She looked down on the fresE
green grass, and started. but she only saw
daisy near an old guarded tree, locking up
her with its innocent little face. She stoopet
and plucked it, and tear sboDe on it as sb,
put it in her breast, for it had shown he
that the shadow on her heart vas love. tb
great craving vas for what she had pm. fron
her year ago
A few nights after Ethel Clifford stoo
before the mirror, restIessIy putting the fla
ishiDg touches toa fayishfog toilette ,smilin
at her pretty self as she csrelessIy tucked
bunch of daises in her belt. She locke
dewn at them moment. hesitated, selects
J enc from the bunsh, eouatsd the petal, an