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


tice Rick back to his bed. He sat on
bench in the kitchen, limp and stupid
after thattit of violence, and Daisy stole
out, as l 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:
Goodnight"
Goodnight" returned Ralph. "rll
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 can't leave
Rick"
Its him or me-" said Ralph, stub
bornly.
''He has no one else," pleaded Daisy.
slave Ip There's no use arguing, it's
got to be one thing or the other. 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 muttered an unpleasant word,
and flung away without n goodnight.
An unsteady step came down the
path.
Looking for me, Rickp" Daisy tried
to speak cheerfully.
'.No; get awayr' Rick spoke wildly.
you've been out with Ralph; you'll go
Of xx,.tl hsv,, Vn,.t t;,aI %
aud can't do better than to make an
end of myself. I'm going the straight
road"
Daisy threw herself before the gate;
she chung to him, pleaded with him.
Half crazed as he was, Rick was in no
condition to 60 back to the village inn,
and the rough crowd which would be
gathered there mt that hour. But all of
a drunken mans obstinacy was aroused,
and while they stood thus, there came
again the roll of wheels that were
checked suddenly, and Dr. Lloyd sprung
down as he took in that scene at
glance.
go into the house, Richard" he
commanded, and Rick, without word,
obeyed. "rll 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. don't think that
need alarm you; Rick isn't one to do
himself any harm. He has been sly
enough to hide it again, or would take
possession of it. He is never violent
towards your
''Oh, no, never"
"Not quite brute enough for that"
muttered the doctor, as he took his
leave, and Daisy slept peacefully after
her trouble.
She did not really believe that Ralph
meant what he said, but he seemed de-
termined after that to visit his displeas-
ure upon her. Miss Winter came back
from her walk next day with her hands
full of ferns.
$50 Mr.. Armstrong isn't your cngag-
ed lover after alp" she remarked to
Daisy. II would have been flirting with
him before this if hadn't supposed he
belonged to you"
Flirting! Oh, Miss Winter!'
''He isn't bad hand at the pastime
himself" remarked Miss Winter, coolly.
She understood the situation much bet
ter than she pretended, and liked Ralph
none the less because he seemed on the
point of deserving his little white Daisy
for her.
Rick had avoided the lodger from the
first. 1t was revelation to Daisy when
she came upon him one day holding
crushed flower which Miss Winter had
worn. He had not been near the village
for days Languid and spiritless he had
crept about the house or lain in the long
grass with look on his face which
went to his sisters heart. She under
stood it now as she saw him lift the fall
en- flower and just touch it with his lips.
Il have been mad enough for that,
Daisy-to fall in love with her. And il
had not thrown away my own man.
hood, l need not now be in despair
that is the bitterest thought of all"
1T is not too late to be true to your
self yet, Rick"
She had little hope that this new
feeling might work some good in him,
but before the week was over, he had
broken bounds again. as If determined
to bury regret in oblivion.
Meanwhile the time came for Miss
Winter to return to London, and she
sent for Ralph, who had promised to
drive her to the station.s He came with
his light carriage and melted horse,
looking neither sorry nor cast down,
Daisy observed with a throb of tho
heart.
''He ism false, then; he'll come back
to me again when she is gone"
Rick had been at the village. He was
on his way home when, at some distance
away, he saw the carriage standing at
the parsonage gate. Ralph and Miss
Winter were just taking their places in
it. the minister stood on the steps, and
the curious face of u maid looked down
from garnet window. AS Ralph settled
down in his seat, his glance fell upon
that stumbling figure by the roadside.
and he gave vicious cut with his whip;
the spirited horses started with q plunge,
q buckle snapped, and then the next in
slant his driver had lost all control over
him.
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