Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-07

Proud, sensitive Daisy! She pretended
to listen 10 the music; but from lori id
mjra} to Little Buttercgp the entire COM
pany seemed 10 he chanting, "Tye only to
ask, to ask. to asbl-i'ye oaly to ask for the
little lady"
Her very fan kept time to this refrain.
She was thankful when the opera ended.
For all that, or the homeward drive she
wished herself back in the hall. 1t was so
hard 10 meet Toms iove-Iike gaze with in
difference. to school her warm. wavwarl
heart against his tenderness, 50 precious
but Yesterday At first she stroye bravely
70 maintain her former vivacity, but her
iiyeliest smiles fell UNDECIDED The slogan
was in the air. Daisy knew Tom had
something particular TO say. All, well, for
that matter, SO had Size Clasping her cold
little hands together resolutely, she waited
If silence,
Daisy, I've been thinking
dangerous symptoms,my young friend !;
Lei the doctor prescribe
I'm going back to the medical school
next week, Daisy
80 sann u In q tone of cool regret.
and ! want TO ask you, Daisy"
I've only TO ask, and the little ladv'e
mine,' prompted taunting memory, kin
ding in Daisy's eyes dangerous fire.
Notwithstanding his Wanted assurance,
Tom hesitated over the vital question.
iidgetinr with the reins till the horse re-
be..eg ana started oil at canter Having
soothed the animal rutiled feelings. Tom
began aire-h.
o Aai1- ."
Well, Mr. Raymond?7
Now, Daisy, you promised 10 call NE
Tom"
Did? It isn't half 50 pretty name
as Mr.. Raymond
I'm glad # you like my name, Daisy.
I wish you'd take it to keep"
You're too generous, Tom. Tn not a
stronc-minded woman. Shouldn't want 10
be called Mr. Raymond
Don't tease, Daisy. You know what
mean. I'm .iust dying to make you Mrs
Raymond, my beloved little wife"
should have to die if you did, Tom
Beloved wives are always under tomb
stones
10 be serious, Daisy. You must know
I've been il love with you from the first
day saw YOU
All" thought Daisy, with curling lip,
" if I hadn't PLAYED eavesdropper what a
happy little simpleton | might bew Sc
rious, Tom ~ She said aloud, Pm literally
serious rs the grave You've made my
stay at Oakland very pleasant; you've
given me glorious drives and sails, and
I'm no end obliged. But in regard to this
new favor YOU propose 10 confer on me, no,
no, Tom, | must decline it, thank YOU
Favor Really, Daisy, fail to see
how I've provoked that sarcasm
" Let's not talk about it, Tom. Al, We
are nearly home"
But, Daisy, ] must talk about il"
pleaded Tom, Selling her hand. " Do you
mean you never can care for me? Oh
Daisy, Daisy, don't say it."
His manner was eager, his tone peril
ously sweet: though now at the door, he
made no movement to atight; it seemed
as if he could not let Daisy 20 till she had
promised to love him
Don't be absurd, Tom cried she. al
most beside herself with the fear lest she
might yield in spite Of everything. " I'll
never marry you-never ! neverl Why,
Tom Raymond, I'd as soon NARY that hen
coop -.
To do Daisy Justice, she hardly knew
what she said. Bent on convincing her
overwise lover that she was not his to be
had for the mere asking, she had hurled
the hen-coop into her sentence simply for
emphasis. it wounded Tom beyond all ex-
preston. To offer himself to Young lady
as husband, only to be rejected by her as
hen-coop-this he felt was too much for
human nature 10 bear. Without further
dallving he helped Daisy dismount and
drove away with a curt adieu.
Wretched Miss Daisy gazed after him
with lack-luster eyes, feeling Us spiritles- as
glass of Yesterdays soda-water. How
angry he must have been to have left her to
unlock the door for herselfl And, oh dear
what allied the key? Would it nevernever
turn2 Oh. for strong fingers = Toms
fingers! Presently it dawned upon Daisy
that there must be some obstruction in the
lock. BY the aid of the moon she peeped
in at the key-hole and saw the trouble. In
locking the door on the inside Aunt Abby
had forgotten to remove the key Daisy
pulled the bell frantcally till the peals
echoed through every room, pulled till she
broke the wire, but no sound of answering
footsteps came. Far away in the north
chamber Aunt Abby was lying on her good
ear, sleeping the sleep of the innocent.
d" She never hears anything when she's
on her left side groaned Daisy, and she
may not turn over for the night. Oh, what
shall do? What shall do|
She tossed pebbles against her auut's
easement, and shouted her name again and
again; then desisted in sudden terror.
What if the tramp were still lurking in the
neighborhood and should appear at her
call She fitted around the house like a
midnight ghost, only TO find every door
and window fast. she looked in at the
lighted diuing-room, and the appetizing
lunch awaiting her reminded her that she
was faint and had eaten no supper
Hungry and homeless at midnight in the
country, where tramps were, and where
police were not2 Here was q situation for
a girl delieately reared and naturally
timid The only light 20 be seen in the
village WIS al DR. Raymonds, quarter of
mile away. Daisy knew it must have
been LEFT burning for Grace and Tom.
Grace could not have been long, for she
and jack had come the long road By the
mill.
IfI can only get there tofore the lamp
goes oat mumued Daisy, speeding along
. the street. What could she do better than
90 be>eaeh the Raymonds 70 shelter her
. She knew no other family so we'll, ana, he
sides. no other family was awake. After
what had passed, she shrank from meeting
/ Tom, but She Shrank far more from meet
I ING the tramp whom her excited fancy was
perpemally evolving from the shadows
! What with fear and haste she reached the
threshold breathIess Pushing open the
/ hall door, little vagrant that she was, she
stole in upon Grace, busy in securing tbs
parlor shutters
Hush. Grace; don't scream don't
rouse anvbodv." she cried, in hysterioal
whisper. a thought maybe you'd let me
sleep with YOU. I'm locked out"
Locked out, poor dear "
oYes. PIl teil Won all about it pres