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

ton nevertheless, and the coast was
entirely clear OF the two mistreuses and
the two maids by the time the evening
train from the White Sulphur came
laundering up. Daisy looked exquisite
~ lovely, and was exquisitely dressed,
for q wonder, when her three friends
for McIlvaine came too-were dropped
from the train, and Mr.. McIlvaine
rushed forward to speak to her. Il was
an enchanting moonlight night-a night
that suggested Belmont and its gamut
OF moonlight associations. McIlvaine
and Daisy spent the long brilliant hours
until midnight together. It was easy
to see that he was lover. Would
Daisy yield to his suit . thought of
Guy" Ny only hope was that he was
the true, first love, who would save her
young life from the snare of this world
ly, unprincipled man. Through the
evening I became aware that Nancy was
watching the progress Of this courtship
from dark corners. There was stolid
determination about her face which
struck me very much.
"I will write to you," McIlyaine said
at parting, to Daisy, the next morning.
And Daisy in reply smiled her cordial,
sunny smile upon him. I was afraid to
think what her answer would be.
That day Nancy cultivated Daisy's
acquaintance assiduously. The next
day the Dilles left, Daisy seeing them
off with friendly solicitude. There was
an unBelfish alacrity about the way this
girl helped other people, which made
one OF her charms. She stopped at no
service for any one, high or low, rich OF
poor.
But when they were gone, she drew
long breath. It was not sigh: was
glad of that. No lasting shadow had
fallen across her path.
The next day her mother was sitting
on our cottage piazza, talking with Us
in her usual confidential strain. DAISY
approached, with two letters in one hand
and two in the other. She threw her.
self into wicker rocking chair, extend
ing her graceful length, and tapping
her pretty foot with certain air Of hav
ing definitely made up her mind
"Read," she said to her mother, hand.
ing her two letters, each directed boldly
in mans hand. "Guy," said hei
mother, with irritation, looking at one.
McIlvaine." she murmured, compla.
Gently, glancing at the signature of the
other. When these were read, Daisy
stretched out her hand for them, anc
handed her mother the two others
which I guessed Immediately to be re-
plies written by herself.
Mrs. Ashley read them through with
gathering irritation. Then she fairly
threw them at her daughter. "Daisy
you are fool" she said. "Marry Guy
Luce if you please, but I will never give
my consent to it."
l could not resist giving Daisy 9
smile Of sympathy and announcement
And Lilias spoke out: "Don't scold
her, Mrs. Ashley, at least not before us
We saw her Guy when he was here Q
few weeks ago. and We both fell in love
with him."
Daisy looked at us gratefully. "He
is dear fellow" she said, with tears in
her eyes. "He is awfully poor, but j
am used to being poor. And they have
Just offered-his firm, I mean-to send
him out West, which will be q promo
ton in his business, so that he car
afford to marry" And such happy
happy look came into the girls eyesi
She carried the day in the end. For.
tunately, she had her mother to herself
with no Mephistopheles and Martha tc
push the suit of the Honorable Cameron
McIlvaine. The Astleys and ourselves
staid until late in the fall, and during
the last month or so We were all very
busy helping Daisy with her wedding
sewing.
1t was over this sewing, by the way
that Daisy gave me o detailed account
OF conversation with Nancy which that
worthy had contrived to have with her
in which Nancy had, as by the meresi
accident, unburdened herself of hel
"mistis's" married experiences.
credited Nancy with having cleverly
planned every word Of this conversation
beforehand, and can truly say that il
reflected equal credit upon her head and
heart.
To concludes: Daisy's wedding was
the crowning touch OF our sunSner al
the depot. The Astleys had no home
never had had any. This most tran.
sient and fitting Of caravansaries repre-
sented the familiar abstraction as prop
erly to them as any other spot. At al
events, IL was here that We all saw beau
tiful Daisy transformed into Mrs. Luce
amid the golden and scarlet glories oi
late October.-Harpe's Bazaar.