Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-23
DAISY'S VISIT.

DHaSI - NISIls
1t was a commonplace picture
pretty, slender young girl seated under
vine-wreathed porch, her delicate
fingers busily stitching some coarse,
homespun material instead of being oc-
cupied with light piece of embroidery
or fancy work, which would have been
in greater harmony with her refined
appearance; but Clement Ashley's eyes
frightened as they rested upon it, and
a strange thrill stirred his usually un-
susceptible heart.
Have l traversed the wide world
over. and gone unscathed all these
years." he asked himself, "only to fall
in love, at first sight, with a rustic di-
vinty in the wilds of YorkshireP'
At the sound of his footsteps the girl
looked up, with startled air, the
lovely peach-bloom color deepening
and Frightening in her velvety cheeks.
What Daisy Wentw orth saw was a
tall, dark young man, of eight-and-
twenty, with a somewhat listless ex-
preston upon his fine, handsome face.
He wore tourists dress of shabby.
looking, well-worn, grey tweed, that
only the initiated would have known
must have been cut by West-end
tailor, and carried small pack slung
across his broad shoulders
MAY l trouble you for a drink Of
water?" he asked, in low, musical
voice, that made the youEg girl stare;
its refined accents were SO different
from the rough northern dialect to
which she was accustomed.
pafAra ho,ox, no,,lI al, xr,skh ko
| request, the door swung suddenly
open, and hard, trongfeatured face,
with beetling black brows and fiery
eyes, peered out.
Mrs. Wentworth, Daisy's step
mother.
Don't come in heren' she cried, in
a shrill, acrid voice, glowering angrily
at the astonished young man. you
have nothing want in that nasty pack.
l never buy of hawkers. I'm dis
gusted with the whole tribe; and Daisy
there has put me all out of temper
with her trifling and idling. Just Ike
her mother, they say. It's a dreadful
trial to have another woman's child to
bring up. l would never have mar.
ried Silas Wentworth had | known he
"ouAe VIC az thC Gnu Va hfC lCuIS, anu
leave me to take care of his first wife S
brat. l have children enough Of my
own to look after"
A roguish twinkle showed itself in
Clement Ashley's eyes as he replied
'My pack only contains the kit Of a
strolling artist But here comes the
real Simon Pure as a freckled-faced
hawker, with scraggy, sandy NOUS
tache, climbed the steps. II only want
to beg draught of water"
Daisy's cheeks were burning hotly,
but she caught up her print sun-bon-
net, and, bringing tumbler from the
pantry-shelf, led the way to the well at
the rear of the house.
Clement drank the cool water she
protfered, as though it had been am
brosia. On returning the empty glass.
his gaze happened to fall upon the
brooch that fastened Daisy's collar. 1t
was a cameo of considerable value-a
portrait finely and artistically cut; but
1t did not look out of place, though her
dress was of common material.
81 beg your pardonH' he said,
eagerly. "But may ask where you
got that brooch?'
ut was my mothers" Daisy replied;
THAT is why ! like to wear it. "
"Oh-an heirloomp Can you tell
me anything of its historyp"
Very little. My mother priced it
highly. The likeness is that of some
relative-a great-aunt, believe"
What was your mothers maiden
nameP"
ETHEL McLean,n
Clement gazed at the young girl
curiously. He would have said more,
but Mrs. Wentworths shrill voice
sounded at that instant, calling sharply
for Daisy.
Don't be lettering there, you good
for-nothing childp You might try to
make yourself useful occasionally.
You've only been burden to me ever
since your father died"
Daisy fitted away, a painful flush
suffusing her face.
But she had not seen the last of the
handsome artist, for that evening, as
she stood dejectedly at the garden
gate, he came whistling along the lane,
and paused beside her.
''You have been cryingr' he ex-
claimed, abruptly, looking into her
pretty eyes. That dreadful woman
has been scolding you againp"
IL deserved it. no doubt"
"Why don't you leave herP Have
you no relatives to whom you could
go?'
Daisy shook her pretty head.
There is only the great-aunt Of
whom ! spoke this morning-and
don't even know where to find her."
Suppose you go away with mep"
The girl stared at him. her cheeks
flushed, her lips apart.
I'll don't understand what you
mean. SIR" she stammered.
There is no occasion to look SO
frightened, little one, though 1t is very
sudden. But ! took'a liking to you at
once, and cannot endure to see you
abused. ! want you for my wife, darl-
ing
mo, no-YOu cannot realize what