Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-03-10

She was on as she spoke. Miss
Winter had come tn the door. half in
alarm, and looked inquiringly at
Ralph as he approached.
"Do YOU think he is doing anything
recklessf' she asked.
Nothing worse than smashing =
window or twos it's his faxorite way
of calling his sister. Pity he n'tpGt
his balls to better use
Il wonder that YOU leave her to be
the victim Of his whims.~ = Saidthe lady,
with straight look at him.
"IT said Ralph. with ShrOg Of
his broad shoulders.
Perhaps he did not mean to disclaim
such an intention on his part, but it
looked like it. How could he tell Miss
Winter that the only reason he had not
taken Daisy away months before was
because Rick had outweighed her liking
for hime 1t was 3 sore subject with
Ralph at the best, not one he would
choose to parade to the world at
large.
Two hours afterthat Daisy stole out
into the moonlight, utterly wearSed
with the scene through which she had
passed. An her effOrts had been
fruitless to entiee Rick hack to his
bed. He sat on a bench in the kitchen,
limp and stupid after that fit Of Vl0-
lence, and Daisy stole out, rs have
said. to breathe the heavy sweetness Of
dying roses, and brush their dewy
leaves with her face. The shadows
lay thickly upon the porch. but there
was stir there. and Miss Winters
voice SAID softly;
"GoOd-nightr'
Goodnight, returned Ralph. ~Tm
show you tomorrow where the maid
en-hair fern grows"
He came whistling down the path to
find Daisy standing BY the gate
We'll. little one. have you made up
your mind which one Of rs you'll
takeg"
Ralph. you know that ean'tieave
Rick"
"It's he or l." said Ralph. stub
bornly.
~He has no one else Ple@aed
Daisy.
Have II There's no use arguing,
it's got to be one thing OF the other.
1 want a wife in my home, and If yO1
won't have me maybe there are others
that will Sweetheart. say that yOO
care too much for me to send me
away"
"0h, Ralph, you must wait
Ralph muttered an unpleasant word,
and flung away without a goodnight.
An unsteady step came down the
path.
Looking for me. Ricks- Daisy
tried to speak eheerfOlly,
No. get awayr' Rick spoke wildly,
" You've been out with Ralphs you'll
go off with him next. You're Tired Of
me, and can't do better than to make
an end of myself. I'm going the straight
road"
Daisy threw herself before the gate,
she clung to him. pleaded with him.
Half crazed as he was. Rick was in no
condition to go back to the village inn
and the rough crowd which would be
gathered there at that hour. But all
Of drunken mans 0hstinacy was
aroused, and while they stood thus
there came again the roll Of wheels
that were checked suddenly. and DR.,
Lloyd sprang down Is he took in that
scene at glance.
go into the house. Richard" he
commanded. and Rick. without = word,
obeyed. "I'll give him a powder" ,"
said the doctor to Daisy. you must
sleep Yourself tonight" He stood
talking with her after he had seen
Rick safely in his room $50 he has
had the pistol again Well. 1 don't
think that need alarm y0us Rick isn't
one to do himself any harm. He has
been sly enough to hide it again. or l
would take possession of il. He is
never violent toward youy
"Oh. no. never.
Mot quite brute enough for that. "
muttered the doctor. rs he took his
leave. and Daisy slept PeacefGlly after
her trouble.
She did not really b<lieVethat Ralph
meant what he said. but he seemed de-
termined after that to visit his dis
pleasure upon her. Miss Winter came
back from her walk next day with her
hands fun Of ferns
"So Mr.. Armstrong isn't pour en-
gagged lover sfter ally she re
marked to Daisy. 81 would have been
flirting with him beforethis il hadn't
supposed he belonged to You
Flirtingl Oh. Miss Winter
~He isn't q bad hand AZ the pastiMe
himself" remarked Miss Winter. coolly.