Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-10
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called Daisy, although he said thaf vas NOT
her true mama
Ibegan to change my opinion Of Mr.. Ash
ford from that day. He was certainly very
interesting man, and I wondered why that
stupid Daisy could not see it
Soon found that thess 'Asfttipgs" grew
moro and moro interesting % the days went
on, until could scarcely think Of anything
else, much to my own surprise. And what
difference between the language Of genuine
feeling and the poor counseEfeits over which
Ihad labored 30 long and so vainlyl By this
time too, we had somewhat changed the
manner Of our interviewA At first l had
taken copious notes, but latteray Mr.. Ashford
had persuaded me to leave tho notes until I
was alone, and devote the time spent with
him to conversation, as being moro sugges-
tive Besides, was now, also by his advice,
playing the part of the obdurate Daisy, and
receiving bis entFeaties and his avowals with
studied GOODNESS and Indifference At first
objected seriously to this role, as placing me
In very unpleasant position, but Mr.. Ash
ford insisted that it was the only way in
which l could thoroughly understand his
feelings or make any heroine perfectly true
to nature, and SO I yielded He made it q
rule after that to call me Daisy, and he soon
suggested that should call him Lyman, but
that seemed unnecessary, and never tried
it; at least not in his presence.
I would not have minded his calling me
Daisy-for he had lovely way Of saying it
ii had not begun to dislike the girl so in
tensely l was always wondering he hap
pened to fall in love with her, and why he
was so constant to 50 blind and ungrateful a
creature Often, when he would Say that his
only hope of happiness lay in winning her
heart, | would turn away my head to hide
the tears in MY eyes-tears Of pity for him
and anger against her.
1t may seem strange, but it Is nevertheless
true that found it quite impossible to work
at my story any more. Notwithstanding the
many advantages now enjoyed, found my
self more at loss than ever. My heroine,
whom / had modelled after Daisy, displeased
me; my hero who was Of course Mr.. Ashford,
was too good for her, SO how could I marry
them at the ends did think OF introducing
another character a girl to whom his heart
should turn, because of her sweet, unselish
sympathy with all his sorrows; but-weu,
put the whole thing aside, to be finished In
the winter.
One morning Mr.. Ashford made his ap-
pearance with very melancholy air. "My
work is completed, " he said; my vacation
is over, and must go back TO the city.
cannot tell you how sorry am, nor how
much shall miss these 'sittinga' And. by
the way, is not the story nearly dnisheda
was hoping you would read 1t to me before I
left"
'Oh, no! not now-it is not ready yet" I
exclaimed II have not written much
lately" And there stopped, confused by
my own admission. But be went on quietly;
You are quite right. Put your work aside
for time, and you win take it up with new
vigor. And now, my kind friend, will you
let me occupy this last hour Of the many we
have spent together with my own affairs1
/ have written to Daisy-for the last time if
she still refuses me-and on her decision my
future now rests. If sheis at last won to say
yes, you know how happy shall be. II not,
cannot stay in the city, where must meet
her continually. shall accept my uncle's
offer, give up my profession, and go to Ger
many with him, probably for the rest Of my
life"
He paused, looking at me expectantly, but
I was silent. OF course, suppose it was
sympathy, but it seemed to me as If could
never be 30 utterly wretched in all nay life as
vas at that moment. Finally, realizing
that 'omething must be said, contrived to
get OF, two or three sentences, with "best
wishes" and "deep interest In his welfare"
and the like. but It was very hard work.
However, he seemed quite satisfied, for he
thanked me- and then added: II shall not
hear from Daisy before Friday, but, what
ever the answer may be, I must come back to
tell YOU So please meet me here on Satur-
day afternoon, and then. If / am happy,
shall claim your congratulations, and If am
to be an exile, shall at least have the conso-
htion of hearing a friendly good-by. Au
revoir, kindest Of friends"
He was gone, but burst into tears For q
long time l remained sitting In the little ar
Dor where he had left me, trying to compose
myself sufficiently to return to the house.
Then I went up to my room, and, telling
Susan that / had violent headache and
could not be disturbed, shut myself up and
began to think.
Ny meditation during that day and the
next made one point perfectly clear to met
did not want Mr.. Ashford TO marry Daisy.
But then, ON the other hand, did not want
him TO go to Germany. began to feel posi-
tive hatred for that girl, and to wish that
could warn Mr.. Ashford against her, for
was quite sure she could never make him
happy.
In this way the hours dragged on. SatT-
day afternoon came at lasA and found me in
the arbor waiting for him with almost uncon-
trollable anxiety.
He made his appearance punctuatly, and,
as watched him coming along the path that
led to the arbor, forgot in one moment all
the rules of conduct had laid down for N.Y.
self, all the elaborate speeches bad pre-
pared, and, springing up, held out my hand
with a breathless "WellF'
mo, it isn't well Daisy has not accepted
me- he said, as he took my hand. Now the
only thing can do is to go away as soon as
possible. Don't you think soa"
did not intend 30 say it. ! shall always
insist that nothing was further from my in
tentions that moment, but suddenly burst
out withi mo, don't, ion't 60"
He was still holding my hands, and when l
said these words he put his other arm very
gently around me and whispered; IT you
want me, l will stay"
am going to omit the greater part Of our
conversation that afternoon in tho arbor, as
it was strictly personal and private But l
ought to say that lyman confessed to me
that he had been guilty of a great deception.