The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-12-23

"You look stronger than when you
came" ",Iilias said, in the sympathetic
tones that were natural to her. "You
will be nicely rested for the stage-ride
tomorrow"
81 hope so, am sure-thank you"
Then looking around, "Won't you sit
down"
Whereupon we drew up two rustic
chairs and became acquainted. She
was very attractive, with touch Of
piquancy about her, on closer acquaint-
ance. which harmonized with the droll-
cry of her servants.
Nancy appeared presently, bearing a
glass Of cream.
"I has paid de bill, Miss Susy," she
said to Mrs. Ollie. "Myi how desc
hotel gentlemen does charge But dey
cudnt do justice to deir boarders, /
suppose, ef dey was to be a-narrower.
sted down in price,"
Mrs. Ollie counted her money, and
pnt it away with more vim than I should
have expected of her. And she pres
emily gave some directions about her
little girl which showed the same kind
Of alertness. This accounted for the
tidy, well-kept air about the whole
party. Mrs. Ollie managed her own
affairs. She had one of those orderly,
well-poised, self-collected minds which
are so eagerly at variance with charac-
ter such as imagined land correctly)
OF discipline would drive her to despair,
d L.. - L
tions into mold OF iron.
The next day we saw this party off.
That very afternoon some one addressed
new arrival in my hearing as Mrs.
Ashley. Margaret's" namel turned
to look, involuntarily, and saw rather
shabby middle-aged woman, her hat
tied up in thick blue veil, sallow Of
complexion, pinched Of feature, with
an expression Of shrewd intelligence.
Eyes, have come to stay month at
least" that person was saying. "Daisy
is spending several weeks at the White
Sulphur, with my cousin Mrs. Danger
field. You are just from there? You
saw Daisy? Indeed How was she look
ing% p
Perfectly beautiful. The belle OF
the place, without rival. Mr.. Mo
Ilvaine raves over her, and he is final
authority in such matters. You know
him, of course? You wsre in Washing
ton last winter, and he is in Congress
now. Is this your other daughter2 I
am happy to meet you, Miss Ashley"
The other daughter was q dove
faced, quiet little creature, whom it was
difficult to believe was the child of her
mother.
Mrs. Ashley became domesticated in
q very short space Of time. She found
her way to our cottage without delay,
and scraped AN informal acquaintance
with us. She questioned us minutely
as to our sisters and cousins and aunts,
waxing gracious on identifying divers
of these. Later, moreover, she waxed
confidential. We learned that she was
widow; that she had barely enough
to live on that Daisy was at once her
pride and her despair-so brilliant and
SO impracticable that she was COZ.
slant disappointment to her mother.
Later, that Mrs. Ashley was thoroughly
pleased with the sensation Daisy was
making at the White Sulphur. 1.-THE
most rising man in the. country, CAM
eron McIlvane, declares that she is
wonderful beauty, and in fact Daisy
could be Mrs. McIlvaine tomorrow II
she chose" said the proud mother,
with an effort at off.handedness.
"McIlvaine?" I repeated. Then,
treacherously, "I thought he was o
married man."
Mrs. Ashley bridled. "He has been
married. A wretched match. One OF
the Dilles of Florida. But they were
divorced. I fancy she is not living,
even."
$50 that there is possibility he
may be unmarried again" I returned,
colly.
Mrs. Ashley stared at me. "I said he
was divorced" she repeated. with as
perity. "Of course he will marry
second time. Fortunately society holds
very sensible views on these subjects
now"
A week after this conversation Miss
Daisy Ashley arrived at the depot some
what unexpectedly. I was sitting with
the mother when the daughter walked
mp and greeted her with an unimpas-
stoned kiss.
"I did not expect to see You for
week or two yet" said Mrs Ashley,
coolly.
81 could not outstsy my welcome
Margaret returned, as coolly. cap
tain Dangerfield urged me to remain
longer; but his wife-you know as well
as do how il is apt to be with women
who marry men younger than them
selves; they like to keep husbands
away from young girls"
At this point Mrs. Ashley mentioned
my name to her daughter; we ex-
changed word or two; then moved
away.
The next time crossed their path I
heard Miss Ashley say: 81 suppose il
will end in that. You may thank Mrs.
Dangerfeld for doing her best to make
the match. And Captain Dangerfield
has sung his friends praises by the
hour. OF course like him-what girl
would notP he is singularly fascinat-
ing man."
Iguessed Mr.. 'McIlvaine was unde,
discussion, and made grimace to my
self.
Another unexpected arrival that same
day. Mrs. Dille's party back again,
"De hot didn't suit mistis," Nancy ex.
planned. 'Dem doctors In New York
didn't know her symtims, 80 we is goin'
back to Europe. De springs dar beats
ALL"
There were 80 few people at the de-
pot that everybody was always coming
upon everybody else. Besides, the
Astley's were exceptionally sociAbie; SO
that it was not at all surprising to see
Daisy Ashley conversing Intimately with
Mrs. Ollie the day after the latter's ar
rival. The long stage drive had fatigued
Mrs. Ollie, and she meant to rest for a
day or two before pursuing her jour-
ney.
Daisy had informed me that her