Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-09

get to bed, I'm sure. after your Journey" said
Mr.. Allarton, after they had all sat and talked
she had come to look for Uncle Jack"
you'll come and see me in the morning,
Uncle Jsck?' asked Daisy as she said good
night; and then standing on tip-toe she rather
shyiy held mp her sweet young face and kissed
Daisy and her hostess left the room. Major Al
iarton laughed and said: Never mind, Jack,
you'll get accustomed 10 it in time she's a
very pretty girl. shouldn't mod having her
for a niece myself. Come and have a smoke"
And he led the way to his den. where he and
JACK were soon established in two easy chairs
with tumbler apiece beside them.
'sYour niece has gone to bed, Capt Kerr,
and is very happy and comfortable" said Mrs.
Allarton,. putting her head in at the door.
morning."
Daisy awoke after good nights rest, feeling
as fresh as the traditional rose. and appeared at
breakfast looking so like one that both Mai.
and Mrs Allarton lost their hearts to her. Her
pleasant. unaffected manner. too, impressed
them most fayorably-ald they both inwardly
pronounced Jacks niece 'success"
Fancy, this is my first breakfast in Eng
landM she cried. 1t seems like dream that
should be here-and oh! how good of you to
have me. l felt frightened and miserable
last night when Uncle Jack said he didn't know
what 70 do with me, aHd now I'm so happy.
Butt suppose I must go off to Feltham to-
day. she added ruefully.
mo, no." answered kind Mrs. Allarton.
Now You are here you must not hurry away.
Until your friends return to Feltham, You need
not think of going there
You're just in time for the ball tonight"
added Maj. Allarton, with a smile.
"A ball; on, may go-do you think Uncle
III he won't, will, said Mrs. Allarton, who
could not suppress smile at the girls eager
face. But have you dress ready?"
'St'ies; such a nice new white frock! But I
want things: gloves, and shoes. a fan, and"
~ think Overbridge can supply all you need"
laughed Mrs. Allarton. 'And here comes your
uncle. "Te1
A0nce more Daisy caused Jack some embar-
rasssnent by bestowing on him a shy kiss, and
his face fell as he said:
Il must make some arrangement to relieve
you OF this young lady to-day, Mrs. Allarton.
think had better take her to Feltham Park
myself -"
mo. no, Capt. Kerr; now she is here. let
her stay for a little. I am delighted to have
her. And there is the ball tonight she will
you're too good. But don't like"
oh; Uncle Jack, don't send me away till
after the ballr'
"Well, Daisy, as Mrs Allarton is so
kind ~
had really taken fancy to Daisy and were gen.
timely pleased to have her-and the girl was
only too glad to stay with her new friends Jack
went of much relieved, promising to return at
IL O'Clock. after his morning duties had been
performed, and take Daisy out shopping.
As they walked back to the Allartons. when
shopping was over, they met some people on
horseback. ''Oh how / should like a good
gailop." cried Daisy, looking after the riders
longingly.
do you ride? have you habit? If so, I'll
take You for turn this afternoon. One of nv
horses carries a LADY,"
"Oh! how delightful! There's nothing like
so much az a good ride answered Daisy,
eagerly. II do think you're the very incest
uncle ever heard Of"
Nothing could have been neater than Daisy
in her habit, and her uncle felt thrill of affec-
tionate pleasure as they set off for long ride
together. REALLY, Mary's girl is the jolliest
little thing I've ever meta charming niece,
and one fellow may be proud Of" he thought.
Ii there was one thing he was particular about.
it was how a lady looked on horseback, and
Daisy satisfied his fastidious taste in every re-
spect. She sat well, too. and seemed to be per-
fectly at home in the saddle. Il have ridden
ever since was a baby" she said.
Both Jack and Daisy thoroughly enjoyed their
ride; decorous trot till they had left the town
behind them, and then a good stirring gallon
over the open breezy downs; and as Jack lifted
his niece off her horse at the Allartons' door she
SAID: II am having good time Jack. After
all it was happy thought of mine, coming to
very glad you did, Daisy. though fear did
not give you very warm welcome at first; but
'alls well that ends well,' and, thanks to the
Ailartoas, this has ended capitally.''
II Daisy looked we'll in her habit in her ball
dress of soft white tulle she looked quite radi-
ant and Mrs. Allarton was amused to sec how
all his brother officers came and begged to be
introduced to Jacks niece. The story of her
arrival had not leaked out and Jack had only
said that his niece was Staying with the Al
lartons for the BALL" and as Captain Kerr and
the Allartons were well known to be great
friends. this had occasioned no surprise.
''Hullo! Carr, back in time for the ball after
all, said Jack to tall, dark man in the uni
form OF the Fiftieth. 81 thought you weren't
coming till next week."
feel rather out of it, knowing so few people.
BY Jove! What pretty girl in white, talking
to Mrs Allarton; who is she?"
"1hat's my niece. Come and be introduced"
She's very like some one l know-and
puzzled. "What is 81 her rn namey" '' 0Aff looking
.Gaskell. Daisy Gaskell; her mother is my
sister" And Jack, having by this time reached
the end of the room where Mrs. Allarton and
Daisy were standing said to the latter:
Daisy, want to introduce Capt. Carr of
Another Capt. Carr" said Daisy, as she
smiled and bowed Fancy two in the same
regiment"
eyes, but we don't spell it the same way"
said the newcomer; "'KERR' and CARR"
''Oh, see; but still it must be confusing
sometimes"
''can you give me dancer asked Capt.
Carr.
..Well-later on, perhaps-but you see how
full my card u.s." and she smilingly held up a
card covered nearly to the end with initials
and hieroglyphics.
May have this valse, No. 10, Miss Gas
kell?"
Daisy looked up surprised "You may have
the valse, If you're asking me, Capt. Carr, but
my name is not Gaskell."
Not Gaskell? Why, thought your I'M
Gle"
mo, no." she said, shaking her head and
that was my name"
''Then may ask what it is?''
douglas, Daisy Douglas" she answered, as
she moved away with apartner who had come
to claim her.
!. "Douglas!" repeated Capt. Carr, with look
of intense surprise. "How very odd!" And
catching sight of Jack Kerr at that moment,
he went up to him and said.
look here, Kerr; why did you say your
nieces name was Gaskell?'
because It is" replied Jack. "who says it
isn,t3-E ftfJJr
l''She does"
= 'Good gracious! What can she mean? Why,
my sister Mary married Archie Gasken and
went of with him to Australia, and last night
that little girl turned up here and said she
was my sister Mary's daughter. And now
what can she mean? It's some joke, Carr, de-
pend upon it."
II don't know what to think; but don't be-