The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-03-24


exclaimed Gen. Biddulph "Whom did
DAILY narry?"
';She was the only daughter of Bruno
you remember him out in Cashmere. 1t
must be--lct me sec" continued Colonel
Goodwin, leaning back in his chair and
musing; sit must be about twenty or
twenty-one years ago since I saw her. She
was the most lovely girl, with face like
an angels"
The generals face frightened.
DAILY fell hopeless victim, and in re-
turn think she loved him passionately.
He was nearly distraught when she died.
The girl must be just the age her mother
was when first met her. !"
The Generals hand stole unconsciously
to his gray mustache. "And you say Mrs
DAILY was very lovely he asked, glancing
for the first time to the mirror The break
fast had certainly refreshed him.
every y emphatically.
"Ah, well, perhaps it may not be so bad
Druce DAILY was a good-looking man.
''He was, indeed, . responded Colonel
Goodwin. Let me know when the girl
arrives; should like to see her, so | am
isare would my wife If she gets beyond
=, ot,.s Pack her off 70 Gombewallto play with
ny girls
Thanks. Are you going to Spencer -?
I will come with you. must speak to
him about my new mare"
Somehow the news crept out. When
Gen. Biddulph took his stroll in the park
few days later, he was greeted by sly
hints and tender inquiries after bis ward.
Fair faces beamed on him, and pretty lips
murmured kind promises to take the young
stranger in hand and show her life. He
began to shine with a reflected glory. Miss
DAILY, according to Col. Goodwin's author
ity, must be beauty, and-this was gently
whispered-it was known that Druce DAILY
had dollars collected in goodly numbers.
The nc'cr-do-welIs and out-of-pocket young
men exhibited an extraordinary considera-
ton for the generals welfare. They were
always dropping in upon him unawares
Notwithstanding the grimness of Scott and
the unmistakablc frigidity of their wei
come. Every morning General Biddulph
eagerly searched his letters in quest of some
dispatch informing him of the arrival of
his ward and he called twice day regu-
larly at Charges street only to receive the
intelligence that Mrs. Comyns and Miss
DAILY had not yet arrived
A week had elapsed since he received
Major Daly's letter, and still no tidings
had come. Contrary winds or recalcitrant.
engines had delayed the P. & o. with its
fair freight, and the general was beginning
to be uneasy At last one morning he was
gratifed when he called at the hose BY
the announcement 'that the ladies were
expected that evening"
Now that the actual moment was ap
preaching when he should come face to face
with the much-thought- much-;alked-of
ward, he found himself actually nervous
and excited Scott, who had received the
news with stolid silence, gazed with aston
ishment at the spectacle Of his master, fidg-
etting--actually fdgetting-from the Win
dow to the armchair, like the vcriest school
boy. The Generals mind during the unu
sual miarations presented brilliant pano-
rama of future success. He saw a vesta of
flong social triumphs in which he shared
largely. Then he fell to thinking what the
.Sueen of all these joys would be like; tall
and stately, small and fragile; blue, gray,
brown, black eyes; complexion as fair as a
lily or duky as the proverbial berry; a
Cleopatra or Gretchen, soft as Il ball Of
down or sturdy as the Morse daughters.
One thing, at any rate, he was certain OF,
she would be young. With life's spring
dawning on her cheek, how could she be
aught but charming? 1t is wonderful how
man like the General, who had lived 50
many years and had so much experience, I
could have made this mistake. Pigs beauty !
is all very well; but youth is more than
often connected with indifferent skins,
lengthy limbs and gawky forms generally
desirous of wriggling out Of their garments
His wishes in this case were father to the |
picture, and he ended by starting to vel
come the traveller with the personifcation
of female loveliness before his eyes.
Heknocked briskly at the door in Charges |
street and smiled benignly on the man who
opened it and preceded him up stairs. The
sun was lingering on the walls as he
mounted the stair case, and the evening air
came in sweet and fresh through an open
window 1t had been very hot ali day, and !
the General was surprised at first to find Il
bright fire burning on the hearth of the
room into which he was ushered, until he |
remembered that of course the travellers |
would be chilly. The room was empty,
but from an adjoining chamber came sounds |
of voices, loud and almost discordant. The |
General shivered. Could hers be one Of
them ? He hoped not 1t was apparent
to the meanest intelligence that some sort Of
altercation was proceeding. He grew nerv,
Gus. Rows and disturbances were at all |
times appalling. After few moments the |
voices dropped and he let his eye wander
round the room. In one corner stood a
large travelling case with labels all over it;
masses of wraps of vivid scarlet, bear skin
rug and an unmistakable Scotch plaid were
tossed unheeded on the floor, while parcels |
and small boxes were strewn around in the |
widest profusion, The hands of the clock
moved slowly on. Waiting is always an-
noying, now it was most provoking. But
just as he was debating whether to go or |
stay the door of the inner room was opened,
and pale, fair, faded woman of about 40
made her appearance. The General ad
vaRced with a 'iaw bow,
Chow do you do, General Biddulph ?" !
she said, in languid tone, extending a
thin, delicate hand. 81 am sorry to keep
you waiting, but was detained by Dessa,"
(sighing faintly). The General hfstened to
push an easy chair forward. ~ am really
quite glad you have come continued Mrs.
Comyns, sinking into the chair, and draw
ing the shawl closely around her, "for she |
is altogether beyond me.
"Are you alluding to Miss DAILY p asked
the General hastily
"Yes," sighed the lady. "0ut of friend
ship to Major DAILY l undertook the charge
Of his daughter; but | was totally unpre-
pared for her wild temper and ways.
@shc is high-spirited," he suggested
feObly,
aVery," Mrs. Comyns replied dryly.
"My health is so bad | am quite incompe- |