The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-03-16

at seven he was dressed and waiti q
Having some time to spare he threw
himself upon lounge and lay musing
in the darkness Now that he was
ready TO test his faith he was not quite
SO confident
Suppose she refuses me? But, great
Scott! she is no coquette, and, then.
hasn't she shown she likes me? Per-
haps," but he put the thought aside as
preposterous- No, of course Lane
couldn't be on the same errand as him
self.
AT last! The hall clock sweetly and
clearly rang out eight strokes. 1t was
time 10 go. How well he recalled the
pretty picture Daisy made the first time
he saw her in her own home. Hastily,
joyously he mounts the steps of her
house and smiles To hear the resound-
ing noise his energetic knock has made
The door is opened as before by the
trim servant, but this time she shows
him into the parlor at once. Winthrop
never forgot the picture as the draw
ing-room door opened. Daisy was
iounging in an easy chair before the
fire Near her on a footsuool was one
of her most constant visitors, Arthur
Scott
carved mantel, talking easily with
both. The freight glittered on Daisy's
hair, bringing out the golden tints and
making her simple white gown rosy
red This evening she was attired in
soft white silk, and hearts-ease was
her only ornaments bunch at her
waist and throat
As she rises to greet VIII he notices
that her eyes are very bright and she
appears very nervous. After speaking
2 moment with his hostess VIII turns
to Lane and both his outstretched
hands are caug mt in a warm clasp by
4im
couple of hours passed pleasantly.
and then Scott rose TO go. As soon as
Daisy left the room Herbert Lane
turned quickly to Winthrop and ex-
claimed:
"Old fellow, you will help me. won't
you? So glad l explained everything
IN my letter-saves bother now, and
Daisy is so pleased"
Winthrop stared stupidity at Herbert
and gasped: What. for heavens sake,
are you driving at? What letter do you
mean?'
1t was now Lanes turn to look
amazed. You don't mean To tell me
you never got my letter? Why. Daisy
was always writing how kind you " ere
to her, and 1 thought it was on tnaL ac-
count"
Speak quickly, Herb" exclaimed
Will Before she comes back How
dare you call her Daisy? What right
have you. / say?"
why. man, the best in the world.
for-for she is my wife"
Your wife? Your-your wife?
You're fooling. Herbert, say you are,
for / love her.
For a moment he spoke as if dazed.
then sank on a chair and covered his
face with his hands. just then Daisy
appeared in the doorway. She looked
in amaZement from one to the other.
then as VIII raised his head and she
saw the direst misery in his eyes she
came swiftly forward.
He sees the face of the girl he loves,
all her pretty color gone and all her
happiness gone. Win tries to speak,
but Lane comes gently to her and says:
Go, Daisy dear, leave him to me"
Then as Wills face again falls on his
hands, she bends softly and giving
Winthrop one quick kiss hurries away.
When Daisy had gone, Lane told
everything. How he had loved Daisy
for years, but could not get her fathers
consent, until, taking matters into
their own hands, they had married Sc
cretly.
When Lane found that Mr. Garland
intended to bring his daughter to Point
Comfort he told Daisy To make friends
with Winthrop and he would write a
letter To Will explaining all And that
81,
ceived.
But now he (Herbert) had a good po-
sition and had come TO confess To her
father, and had wanted VIII to say a
good word for him Daisy was only
too glad to have 4 friend who knew
her secret and so showed marked
preference for Wills society to that of
any of the other men that fiocked about
her.
When Lane had finished, VIII stood
up and grasping Herbert's hands said
nobly:
Herb, dear fellow, will do my best
Leave me alone and l will see her
father. and congratulate your-your
wife for me-"
As Lane left him VIII sat down and
gazed around wearily. What bright
dreams had come and gone in this little
parlor, but now all was over.
He touched the bell and asked to see
Mr. Garland. How he pleaded his
friends cause, or what he said. never
knew; however, he must have done his
best. for Mr. Garland forgave and for
got The next morning Mrs Lane sent
q note of invitation to Winthrop To
spend the day at their house. He never
came or got the note, for he had left
for the north the night before.
When he reached New York he wrote
to Daisy, his first and last letter, and
that was a note of congratulation- To
Lane he wrote more briefly, Us follows:
DEAR HERBERT: DO not think envy you
your happiness, Tor OF all men earth you
most deserve IL; but could not stay and see
her day b. day When 1 left the house that
night, ana had TO leave without her, the only
woman 1 ever loved il was never to return
Give your wife ny hcartcst congratulations,
and tell her for me IL / could not have her she
Is married 10 the very man would have chosen
Believe me- old friend, yours faithfully,
WILL WINTHROP"
Chicago Journal