Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-25

'sWell. Daisy, was Of your opinion yester-
day, and l. too, thought Mr.. Arden incapable Of
o romantic attachment but now he has shown
me his heart-such an unselfish, devoted heart
"a heart which beats only for you and Cyril
and me. He is not happy, Daisy dear. His
lonely life is killing him, though people think
he Is a recluse by choice. He longs for q fuller
lire-for a home. He asked me to marry him,
after waiting seven years to prove his fidelity
to me. and his respect for the friend he lost in
my dear husband. If refuse we shall see him
no more--you will lose your kind master"
"And if you say yes he will live with us
always" exclaimed Daisy; Il have 50 often
thought you unkind for turning him out of the
house when he evidently longed to stay.
have even thought you ungrateful; but it would
be very grateful Of you to marry him"
You talk as if you would like me to marry
him, Daisy. Would you rea!Iy?'
"Yes, l really would, for his sake. because
think he deserves good deal more attention
than you have ever shown him. Only there is
one thing"
What is that, pet?"
81 could never call him father. could
never speak the word spoke at the gate that
fatal morning when my own dear father babe
US goodbye. He would be Uncle Ambrose to
the end"
There was a silence, during which the
mother sat with downcast eyelids and thought
ful brow; perplexed, uncertain, wavering be-
tween two opinions. and then Daisy began
again with a starring suddenness.
You would be CyrlIs mother and L should
be his sister. 1t would be very nice to have
such a clever brother"
Another silence; another sudden burst Of
speech from Daisy
There is one question I have not asked
you, she said impressively. DO you love
hlm?"
Il answered that question in advance, Daisy,
year ago, when We were talking together on
this spot, just as We are talking tonight. l told
fafh iret
and that he would be my last. That is as true
now as IT was year ago; 1t will be true to the
end of my llfe"
Poor Uncle Ambrose!" sighed Daisy Il
have always pitied man who marries widow.
You know what Guy Darrell says in What VIII
He Do With lH' Nothing SO insipid as heart
warmed up. And yet that very Guy Darrell
marries a widow after all. Poor Uncle Am
brose! But you don't dislike him, do you
mother?"
Dislike him? No. He is the one man I
would choose for friend and counselor. re-
spect and admire him for his fine character
so free from unworthy ambitions SO single
mlnded-and for his intellect. There is no one
L would sooner have as my friend and COM
panlon-no one whom I would rather obey."
lin those things where women do obey their
husbands" said Daisy making wry face, Il
am not over fond OF that word 'obedIence; and
l hope, If ever marry, my husband will not
have the bad taste to pronounce it in my
heaIluo- Lear, dearest one, WITH suuucn
change to earnestness. there are tears stream
ing down your cheeks. Are you unhappy,
mother?
mo, love, only troubled and undecided. /
want to act for the best
Then l really think you ought to marry
Uncle Ambrose. He is so devoted to us both.
and he knows so much; and it will be very nice
to have him ana Cyril by our fireside on a win
ter evening""
Mother and daughter kissed and clasped
each other, and Daisy sobbed out her emotions
on her mothers breast. and the end of this
confidential talk was Clara Hatrelrs promise to
marry the man who adored her.
To be Continued