Milford chronicle., 1885-01-23

mitted that Mrs. Blunt had most CON
placent enjoyment of the beauty of be
stylish niece from the city.
81 hate to leave you alone so late i
the evening, auntie, said Daisy; throw
ing handful of empty pols at til,
chickens by the door-stone. 'I'm afrai,
you'll be nervous about the tramp tina
h called this morning"
Nonsense, my dear; I'm not one O.
the nervous sort I always stay by nv
self nights when your uncle goes to hi
lodge meetings. If 1 get tired ant
sleepy, lock the doors and go to bed.
When lie on my good ear can't hear
a sound, you know, and your uncle can
come III without waking me.
"But how does he get in?''
ooh, he takes a key; we have two fol
the front door, There's the extra one
over the clock. You'd better have it to.
night; then, if I don't feel like sitting
up for you, I won't. You won't be like
ly to be home before twelve"
By twilight Miss Daisy's turbulent
crimson had softened into shell-pink.
Aunt Abby fattered herself that she had
never seen the child handsomer than
when, in filmy draperies, she foated
down the piazza steps to Tom Raymond's
waiting phaeton.
"The infatuated boy looks as if he was
beholding an angel from heaven, E"
mused the pleased lady, who dearly
loved Tom. But she said, prosaically:
"Do drive carefully, Tom. Daisy, did
you take the key ?"
"Yes, auntie; it's in my pocket"
"POcket ?-can they put pockets in
sea-foam p laughed Tom, tueking the
linen lap-robe about the young ladv's
billowy founces. "I feel myself quite
inadequate to the care of this fluffy ele-
gance, Mrs. Blunt, I do assure you"
'Bnt it's his, he has only to ask and
it's all his" thought Miss Daisy, scorn-
! sglly, as she bade her aunt gay good
bye. 2,.,-. ,ns4bl2een fl
not lovelier drive than this five miles
between Oakland and Oakland Falls
Taking it by moonlight, on perfect
July evening, with fascinating -4g
lady by his side, and srig....d horse
obedient to his will, Tom Raymond
mentally acknowledged that the condi-
tions were favorable for enjoyment. He
! had been planning this tete-a-tete for
days; indeed, he had gone so far as to
formulate certain momentous speeches
to be delivered on this occasion, but
with the strongest desire to lead the
conversation into sentimental channels,
he was continually baffied by an intangi-
BILE something in Miss Daisy's manner
He spoke Of lovely bird he was mount
sno o=r,oofo11rr For ha7seo1f a4,1 ho
cOursed Of the swallows in Aunt Abby's
chimney; he limited at mans craving for
affection, and she deplored Abrams
craving for drink; he quoted "Aurora
Leigh, and she cited 'Mother Goose"
She sang nasa1ly like Deacon Shed,
mimicked Squire Eddy's late Fourth-of-
July Grafton, and, in a word, was as cap
tivating, frivolous and reckless as a
heavy-hearted girl well could be- As
she passed Grace Raymond in the hall,
that young lady whispered to Jack
McKeen that Daisy Campbell was the
belle of the audience.
"With one exception, of course"
amended gallant Jack.
Proud, sensitive little Daisy She |
pretended to listen to the music; but |
from the Lord Admiral to Little Butter
cup the entire company seemed to her |
to be chanting GIVE only to ask, to
ask, to ask-I've only to ask for the lit
tie lady,"
Her very fan kept time to this re-
frain. She was thankful when the opera
ended. For all that, on the homeward
drive she wished herself back in the
hall. It was so hard to meet Toms
st,1feo.o,,oa l., |
school her warm, wayward heart against
his tenderness, so precious but yester-
day At first she strove bravely to
her former vivacity, but her
liveliest sallies fell unheeded. The
slogan was in the air. Daisy knew Tom
had something particular to say. All,
we'll, for that matter, so had she. Clasp
ing her cold little hands together reso-
Iutely, she waited in silence.
"Daisy, I've been thinking"
Dangerous symptoms, my young
friend; let the doctor prescribe.
'Tm going back to the medical
school next week, Daisy"
$50 soon PIN tone of cool regret.
''And 1 want to ask, Daisy"
''Tve only to ask, and the little lady's
nine," promptly taunted memory,
Iindling in Daisy's eyes a dangerous fire.
Notwithstanding his vaunted assur-
nee, Tom hesitated over the vital ques-
ion, tidgeting with the reins till the
lorse rebelled and started off at a canter.
having soothed the animals ruffied
ceilings, Tom began afresh.
"Daisy ?" !
"Well, Mr.. Raymond ?"
"Now, Daisy, you promised to call !
ne Tom"
"Did L? It isn't half so pretty a c
anne as Mr.. Raymond.
''I'm glad you like my name, Daisy.
wish you'd take it to keep" 4
you're too generous, Tom. I'm not l
strong woman. Shouldn't !:
ant to be called Mr.. Raymond. =
''Don't tease, Daisy. You know what
mean. I'm Just dying to make you o
[rs. Raymond, my beloved little wife,"
"I should have to die if you did, Tom. 9
Beloved wives are always under tomb d a
ones" .
DO be serious, Daisy. You must P
low I've been in love with you from
le first day 1 saw YOU" 6
"Ah," thought Daisy, with curling
0, ''if 1 hadn't played eavesdropper, a
hat happy little simplston I might
p ''Serious, Tom ?" she said aloud; "
Pm literally serious as the grave.
1u've made my stay at Oakland very
easart; you've given me glorions v
ives and sails, and I'm no end obliged. ,
At in regard to this new favor you pro- I
se to confer upon me. no, no, Tom; 1 -
nst decline it, thank you." y
Dao11r- nafav 7 foi 10 soo III
w I've provoked that sarcasm. - "
Lets not talk about it, Tom. Ah,
IRE nearly home.
''But. Daisy. / must talk about it."
saded Tom, seizing her hand. "Do you
San you never can care for me Oh be
lisy, Daisy, don't say it r. ID