The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-12
DAISY.

DAISY.
A clear and ringing whistle rose and
fell and rose again, Il pleasant sound
to hear, upon the evening air; but the
girl who stood knee deep in clover be-
side the meadow fence looked sombrely
down as the joyous notes struck upon
her ear
"Poor fellow! dear felowr' she said
to herself. ut is SO hard TO 90 against
him when he is as light-hearted rs
that"
A moment more, and Ralph Arm
strong, her lover, vauted lightly over
the intervening bars and stood L ,side
her.
Straight, sturdy, brown, something of
the contrast between himself. with his
superabundant life. and the wee woman
waiting there, seemed to strike him.
''Why, my little Daisy" he said, with
d playful touch. turning up her chin
until he could look into the soft e, IS,
that straightway filled with tears. "Why,
Daisy" he repeated, in an altered, vex-
ed voice. 81 thought when | aw you
out here that you were glad to have me
come. Never mind; you will be when |
tell you the news. have paid off the
last instalment on the farm. and there's
to be an end of your drudging your life
away. No more cooking for dodgers,
or sitting up half the Light to look out
for Rick. Is he up TO his old tricks
againp Is that what has taken the col
or all out of your facep"
sHe was away all night" said Daisy,
in low voice. HE never got home
until noon to-day. He is asleep, and,
oh, Ralph! 1 am afraid to have him
wake. 1t is so much worse now that
Miss Winter is here"
Didn't I tell you how that would
bep" 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-whenp 1
won't be put off very long, my dear"
Daisy turned her face away 20 the
gathering dusk.
''Oh. Rrlph!' she cried, piteously.
."Be cont.nted to wait"
ITO wait! What for? For Rick to
drink himself to deathp For you to grow
old before your time with the hard
work of taking care of yourself and
himP Daisy, Cnce and for all. you'll
have to choose between your sot of q
brother and 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. A dogcart rolled almost noise
lessly past on the thick green turf of the
lane upon which tho meadow bars gave,
and DR.. Lloyd, lifting his hat to Daisy,
shot a keen glance at the young fellow
standing sulkily at her side. He was
gone in a moment, but somehow Ralph
Armstrong experienced a 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.
1t was shackly, tumble-down cot
tage, with moss and lichen breaking out
in patches over the decayed weather.
boarding. and creaking porch from
which the rustic benches had long ago
rotted away. The picturesque aspect
of the old place had taken Miss Winters
fancy, and so little, fair-faced Daisy had
found the weekly addition to the sum
which she earned with her dressmaking
was all that now went into her shabby
purse.
There was mufiled cry of DAISY!
Daisyr' as those two approached to-
gether; then once, twice, the report of q
pistol, together with the sound of shat
tered glass, was borne to their ears.
Its Rick" cried Daisy, breathlessly.
II locked him in his room. DO 60 and
talk to Miss Winter. Ralph, till get
him quiet again"
She was off as she spoke. Miss Win
ter had come to the door, half in alarm,
and looked inquiringly at Ralph as he
approached.
"Do you think he is doing anything
recklessp" she asked.
Nothing worse than smashing q
window or two; it's his favorite way Of
calling his sister. Pity he can't put his
balls to better USE"
II wonder that you leave her TO be
the victim Of his whims," said the lady
with a straight look at him.
ZIP" said Ralph, with shrug of his
broad shoulders.
Perhaps he did not mean to disclaim
such an intention on his part, but IL
looked like it. How could he tell Miss
Winter that tho only reason he had not
taken Daisy away months before was
because Rick had outweighed her liking
for himp It was sore subject with
Ralph mt the best. not one he would