The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-02-06

AoSACI. YAH bHcy put pOck0bS III
sea-foam" laughed Tom, tucking the
linen lap-robe about the young lady's
blllowy hounces. 81 feel myself quite
inadequate to the care of this fluffy ele
gance, Mrs. Blunt, / do assure you.
"But it's his; he has only to ask and
it's all his" thought Miss Daisy, scorn-
fully, as she babe her aunt gay good
bye.
In the whole region round about
there was not a lovelier drive than this
five miles between Oakland and Oak
land Falls. Taking it by moonlight, on
a perfect July evening, with fascinat-
ing young lady by his side, and a spir-
tied horse obedient to his viii, Tom
Raymond mentally acknowledged that
the conditions were favorable for enjoy
ment. 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 occa-
sion, but with the strongest desire to
lead the conversation into sentimental
channels, he was continually bafled by
an intangible something in Miss Daisy's
manner. He spoke of lovely bird he
was mounting especially for herself,
and she discoursed of the swallows in
Aunt Abby's chimney; he limited at
man S craving for affection, and she de-
plored Abrams craving for drink; he
quoted Aurora Leigh, and she cited
Mother Goose. She sang nasally like
Deacon Shed, mimicked Squire Eddy's
late Fourth-of-July GRAFTON, and, in a
word, was as captivating, frivolous and
reckless as heayy-hearted girl well
could be. AS she passed Grace Ray
mond in the hall that young lady Whis-
pered 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-Tye only to ask for the little
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. 1t was so hard to
meet Toms lover-like gaze with indif-
ference, to school her warm, hayward
heart against his tenderness, so precious
but yesterday! At first she strove
bravely to maintain her former vivacity
but her liveliest sallies fell unheeded.
The slogan was in the air Daisy knew
Tom had something particular to say.
All, well, for that matter, so had she.
Clasping her cold little hands together
reSolutely, she waited in silence.
'Daisy, I've been thinking"
Dangerous symptoms, my young
friend; let the doctor prescribe.
I'm going back to the medical school
next week, Daisy"
$50 soon?" in tone of cool regret.
"And l want to ask you, Daisy
Give only to ask and the little lady's
NINE" prompted taunting memory,
kindling in Daisy's eyes dangerous
fire
Notwithstanding his vaunted assur-
ance Tom hesitated over the vital ques-
ton, fdgeting with the reins till the
horse rebelled and started off at a
canter. Having soothed the animals
rufied feelings, Tom began afresh.
'Daisy?"
"WeI, Mr.. Raymond"
"Now, Daisy, you promised to call
me Tom,n
Ibid 1? 1t isn't half so pretty name
as Mr.. Raymond.
"pm glad if you like my name, Daisy.
wish you'd take it to keep"
you're too generous, Tom, I'm not
strong-minded woman. Shouldn t
want to be called Mr.. Raymond.
Don't tease, Daisy. You know what
mean. I'm just dying to make you
Mrs. Raymond, my beloved little wife, =
81 should have to die if you did, Tom
Beloved wives are always under tomb
stones"
do be serious, Daisy, You must
know I've been in love with you from
the first day saw YOU"
"Ah," thought Daisy, with curling
lip, ''if hadn't played eavesdropper
what a happy little simpleton 1 might
be?" Serious, Tom?" she said aloud;
I'm literally serious as the grave
You've made my stay at Oakland very
pleasant; YOU We given me glorious
drives and sails, and I'm no end obliged.
But in regard to this new favor you pro
pose to confer upon me, no, no, Tom;
| must decline it, thank you"
"Favor! Really, Daisy, I fail to see
how I've provoked that sarcasm"
Lets not talk about it, Tom. All,
we're nearly home"
''But, Daisy, must talk about it, y
pleaded Tom, seizing 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 alight: it seemed
as if he could not let Daisy go till she
had promised to love him.
Don't be absurd, Tom" cried she,
almost beside herself with 1.-The fear lest
she might yield in spite of everything
"Iu never marry you-never! never!
Why. Tom Raymond, I'd as soon mar
ry 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 asking, she had hurled
the hen-coop into the sentence simply
for emphasis. 1t wounded Tom beyond
all expression. To offer himself to a
young lady as husband, only to be re-
jected by her as q hen-coop-this he
felt was too much for human nature to
bear. Without further dallying he
helped Daisy dismount, and drove away
with curt adieu.
Wretched Miss Daisy gazed after him
with lack-lustre eyes, feeling as spirit
less as glass of yesterday soda-water.
How angry he must have been, to have
left her to unlock the door for herself |!
And, oh dear what allied the keyp
Would it never, never turnp Oh, for
strong fingers Toms fingers ? Pre-
sently it dawned upon Daisy that there
must be some. obstruction in the lock.
By the aid of the moon she peeped in at
the kty-hole and saw the trouble In
locking the door on the inside Aunt
Abby had forgotten to remove the key!
Daisy pulled the bell frantically till the
peals echoed through every room,
pulled till she broke the wire, but no