The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-02-24
DAISY BURNS.
by RETT wINwOoD.

some Of the sweetest idyls are lived on
the same plane with growing cabbages
and parsley.
She was STOPPING over one of the garden
beds deity uprooting the rank weeds
that were sprlnging up among the vcgct-
ab.es. y slender Young girl who might
have hern very graceful and pretty under
fostering circumstances. As it WAS, her
WlllOWy form had become slightly bent
with stopping over UnCOngcuIal tasks, her
hands were rOugheuct with toll, and her
sweet face with its melting blue ewes and
hair OF Furnished gold wore habitually 4
discOntentcd expression.
DO not blame her. Daisy Burns was
like tTauSplauted rose blooming in an
ard desert. All her life since she could
remember had been spent in the SAME
round OF daily drudgery. The purple
hills that shut her in seemed like the
grim walls of a prison; and now, as she
paused Tor moment 10 look around, her
blue eyes We're lull oi childish, wIstiul
longing.
Il wonder what lies beyond? II I
We're bird, | would go and see,' she
murmurcd softly 10 herself.
would YOU" said a laughing voice.
y on know the old adIgc that distance
lends Cnchantment; nevertheless, | am
certain you would feel amply repaid"
Daisy turned with 4 smOthercd scream.
Close beside her stood an utter stran-
ger, 4 strikmgly handsome man, with
dark, mCSmcrIC eyes 4 bTOnZed face, and
rings Of si.kcu hair clustering about his
forehead. Ills straw hat was swinging IN
one hand
Daisy had seen enough Of the world to
know that the Intruder was city born and
bred Tone, expression, even the easy
air with which he wore his tourists dress
ut gray tweed. were sufficient 70 tell her
this. And yet very few people OF his
class ever came TO BrImley.
Don't be frighteued,' he said, holding
out shIpely hand upon which diamond
flashed III the sunlight. 81 could not
help hearing what YOU said. / may be
magician who knows with power 10
grant every wish"
Daisy dill not take the profercd hand.
Tut 4 tIu-iIu- thrill shot through her
veins. She looked down at her plain,
gin-ham drc-s AMI coarse shoes, her
checks burning painfully hot aS she
thought what 4 fright she must appear III
the young mans ewes
"fo You want 20 see Mrs. Briggs - she
asked, a, Last
lie met her cmbarrls=cI gaze, not
making the least effort To- keep the
amused expression pJt OF his black ewes.
w Er Is Mrs. Briggs tn" presiding
genius OF the Unpaiutej farmhouse yon-
der
Yes. live there"
''~he can't be your mother, Is she 4
relative aunt OF cousin ~
NO. She took mc from the work
hou~. when / was a little girl, she SAYS.
| wI~ ton young 10 remember. / have
lived with her ever since, the gIrl re
p.rj.
"Humph, And pretty life she must
"a
Foes she ever ~cold yous'
sometimes
"Aud keeps YOU AZ work from morning
till night-heapiug all sorts OF drudgcry
upon your young shoulders ~
The girls eyes filed. 1t was new
experience 10 have any one take the
slightest interest in her welfare
Things must be DONE" she replied,
scntentioUsly. Mrs. Briggs says l am
younger and stronger than She"
"Of course. Has she ever sent You TO
school -
Yes; a few weeks at n time. But 1
found some old books i'm the attic |
study and read at night when Mrs. Briggs
thinks / am III bed, she answered.
The young man took step nearer.
Why don't You run away he asked,
dropping his voice.
Daisy started violently at that. The
tempe ZION Ms almost constantly before
her mind. But she had tried il once, a
4 child, and been brought back The
recollection OF what followed had been =
restraining terror ever since.
IL DO not dare, she iIlJcrGd.
The young man put his two strong
hands UpOu her shoulders and faced her
round toward him.
Il want Won TO take n good look at me,
Daisy EunS. Don't change color I
know your. name perfectly well. Mine
Is EuStacc Dare. | am your friend.
10 ! appear ike person whom you
could trust -'
Yes" she answered trembling, and
hall crying again.
Good. This is no life fJr one like YOU
to lead. You might IL well be a bond
slave and done with it. That woman
VIII crush Won, body and spirit You are
afraid 10 venture out into the world
alone. Come with me"
She Cazcd at him in startled inquiry.
She felt the subtitle magnetism OF his
presence; hut, though she knew nothing
ot the world, her instincts were inuOceut
and pure.
90 with you? How can u"
said.
as my wife. That is what I mean.
Ii Is the only way. | mean honestly 10y
You, little Daisy I will take you To the
nearest clergyman, one Of your own
friends II Won choose, and we viii be- man
and wife before Mrs. Bri-rs has even
time 10 miss you. What do YOU say?''
His dark ewes were full Of passionate
pleading. Like all v0uug girls. Daisy
had often pictured 10 herself what her
unknown lover would be like. lie
S.Ood before her, Drawer, hauisomcr,
more impetuoUS and eager than iulagina-
L.F.F Il. Z a.
her heart thrilled with blended dread and
longing.
1T Is 81 strange that YOU should wish
to marry mc, she said, in trcmJliu.
voice. You had never seen me tiftecn
minutes ago
He laughed, 4 glowing light in his boil
black ewes.
Don't deceive yourself, Daisy. Do
YOU see that rose thicket wonder?
stood there a full hour yesterday, watch
ing on ~ work and longing 10 come out
and speak Co YOU.
lJI~y llu-I-i painfully. but she did
not turu away from that bose.chiuggIze
Hero was A.r chance u 5e free, To- escape
ilou the hard, Un,Ougcuial life and Mrs.
Iv.-,-S raSi iug complaints. She WAS inn
pui-lvc and romantic-thc carne-tncss
oi her handsome young lover won upon
Lgr mumcutIuly.
y on are quite sure that you want me-"
she iJ4terru timiily.
Dear little saint | never wanted any
thing half 80 much in my life. 20 il Is
~Ut-lct-yOu viii come with me- The
SOONER the better. Mrs. Briggs NAV do
tine remainder OF the wee,iin. hcr-eli
She viii necl a safety valve when she
discovers that you ar. .one-Safc beyond
Ler reach Come, little Daisy
- soon 2'
cot course. What Is u he gained by
waiting, Gou can rcpleuiSh your ward
robe n the nearest town. Nothing that
oil wretch ever gave you viii b. worth
taking along