Tolland County press., 1883-01-18
DAISY.

A clear and ringing whistle rose and fell and rose again, pleasant sound to hear, upon the evening air but the girl who stood knee deep in clover beside the meadow fence looked sombrely down as the joyous notes struck upon her ear. "Poor fellow dear fellow P she said to herself. 'It is so hard to go against him when he is as light-hearted as that" A moment more, and Ralph Armstrong, her lover, vaulted lightly over the inter- vening bars and stood beside her.
 Straight, sturdy, brown, something of the contrast between himself, with his su- lperabundant life, and the wee woman waiting there, seemed to strike him.
 "Why, my little Daisy" he said, with playful touch, turning mp her chin un- til he could look into the soft eyes, that straightway filled with tears. "Why, Dali sy p he repeated, in an altered, vexed voice. 'I thought when I saw you out here that you were glad to have me come. Never mind you will be when I tell you the news. have paid off the last install ment on the farm, and there's to be an end of your drudging your life away. No more cooking for lodgers, or sitting up half the night to look out for Rick. Is he
  has taken the color all out of your face ?' "He was away all night" said Daisy, in low voice. "He never got home until noon to-day. He is asleep, and, oh, Ralph am afraid to have him wake. 1t is so much worse now that Miss Winter is here"
 "Didnt I tell you how that would be ?" reminded Ralph, not very kindly. "But, luckily, it don't matter you can get rid of her as soon as you please, and we will have the wedding I won't be put off very long, my dear.''
 Daisy turned her face away to the gath ering dusk.
 "Oh, Ralph p she cried piteously. Be contented to wait"
 "To wait What for? For Rick to drink himself to death ? For you to grow old before your time with the hard work of taking care of yourself and him ? Dai- sy, once and for all, you'll have to choose between your >sot of a brother ard me. If you are bound to put him first now and for ever---"
 The unfinished threat fell upon other ears besides those it was intended to reach dogcart rolled almost noiselessly past on | the thick green turf of the lane upon which the meadow bars gave, and Dr. Lloyd, lifting his hat to Daisy, shot keen glance at the young fellow standing sulk1ly at her side. He was gone in a moment, but somehow Ralph Armstrong experienced 8 feeling of shame which kept him for the time from pressing what he had been about to urge. He turned and walked towards the house with Daisy.
 1 It was shackly, tumble-down cottage, with moss and hchen breaking out in patches over the decayed weather-b board ing, and a creaking porch from which the rustic benches had long ago routed away. The picturesque aspect of the old place had taken Miss Winters fancy, and so lit tie, fair-faced Daisy had found the week. ly addition to the sum which she earned with her dressmaking was all that now went into her shabby purse.
 There was muffied cry of "Daisy Daisy p as those two approached togeth- CT then once, twice, the report of pis- tol, together with the sound of shattered glass, was borne to their ears.
 "Its Rick" cried Daisy, breathlessly. ''I locked him in his room. Do go and talk to Miss Winter, Ralph, till get him quiet again"
 She was off as she spoke. Miss Winter had come to the door, half in alarm, and looked inquiringly at Ralph as he ap- preached.
 "Do you think he is doing anything reckless ?' she asked.
 "Nothing worse than smashing win. dow or two; it's his favorite way of call ing his sister. Pity he can't put his balls to better use.''
 'I wonder that you leave her to be the victim of his whims,' said the lady, with straight look at him.
 'I ?' said Ralph, with shrug of his broad shoulders.
 | Perhaps he did not mean to disclaim such an intention on his part, but it look ed like it. How could he tell Mss Win ter that the only reason he had not taken Daisy away months before was because Rick had outweighed her liking for him It was sore subject with Ralph at the to the world at large.
 Two hours after that Daisy stole out into the moonlight, utterly wearied with the scene through which she had passed. All her efforts had been fruitless to entice Rick back to his bed. He sat on bench in the kitchen, limp and stupid after that fit of violence, and Daisy stole out, as I have said, to breathe the heavy sweetness of dying roses, and brush their dewy leaves with her heated face. The shadows lay thickly upon the porch, but there was a stir there, and Miss Winters voice said, softly:
 "Good-night p
 Goodnight" returned Ralph. 'Ill show you tomorrow where the maiden hair fern grows"
 He came whistling down the path to find Daisy standing by the gate.
 "Well, little one, have you made up your mind which one of us you'll take ?"
 Ralph, you know that I can't leave Rick
 'Its him or me, said Ralph, stubborn ly.
 "He has no one else," pleaded Daisy.
 "Have I? There's no use arguing, it's got to be one thing or the other I'want wife in my home, and if you won't have me maybe there are others that will Sweetheart, say that you care too much for me to send me away"
 "Oh, Ralph, you must wait
 Ralph multered all unpleasant word, and flung away without goodnight
 An unsteady step came down the path.
 Looking for me, Rick ?" Daisy tried to speak cheerfully.
 "No; get away!' Rick spoke wildly. t'You'ye been out with Ralph you'll go off with him next. You're tired of me, and I can't do better than to make an end of myself. I'm going the straight road"
 Daisy threw herself before the gate ::