The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-10-06

sloly, iOr no Que cOuiu prOpheSy Tue cOuTSc
Theodore's mind would take with any as
surance.
The girls had rushed up into Veronica's
room as soon as the tea hour was over
"Well, Veronica never thought be-
fore that you were so deep, exclaimed
Mary Indignantly.
"DeepW cried Veronica, drawing her
self up little haughtily; "I don't under
stand you, Mary; how have been deep?"
"You can't deny that you kept it all
very dark, (" said Lizzie, also indignantly.
"And all the time you tried to give US to
understand that you knew he preferred
us-preferred Mary, mean, and that you
were doing your best to have the coast
clear for her"
"Until today, Lizzie, l was as ignorant
as you as to what Mr.. Vane's intentions
might be"
''Of course, she was, chimed in Daisy
"What are you accusing her ike this for
Mr.. Vane has unexpectedly chosen her,
and there's the end to it.
$50 away, Daisy, or else hold your
tongue" said Lizzie, angrily.
''Shan't," said Daisy. She was the only
one in the family who understood Veron-
lea at all, and something in her stepsisters
pale, disturbed face made her determined
to stay and, if need be, champion her on
this trying occasion.
whats this? What's this?" cried Mrs.
Hooker, rustling into the room. daisy,
1 often hear you speaking rudely to your
sisters; you should remember they are
| 1lar al
Mr.. Vane has certainly taken us by sur
prise We should never ourselves have
thought of such match as suitable. So
young a man !"
"He is exactly my own age, mother
put in Veronica, turning her face a little
aside, and playing with the things on the
toilet table.
''Oh, indeed l should never have
thought that. However, it is a very good
match from a pecuniary point of view,
which no doubt has weighed with you. y
"No," said Veronica, in low tone, sit
was not the thought of his money which
weighed with me-"
Lizzie gave little incredulous laugh.
"He certainly did behave at one time as
if it were Mary he had a fancy to, went
on Mrs Hooker, "and l cannot understand
what made him veer round to you so sud-
denly. hope he knows his own mind,
and will be faithful 70 you. You were, of
course, quite justified in taking him at his
word, for chances don't come often, once
girl has passed her youth. 1 really hope
you may be very happy"
Then, to the astonishment of the family,
the usually self-contained Veronica turned
upon them with face streaming with
tears.
"Oh," she said passionately, II do hope
1 may be happy. 1 do pray may at last
find love and happiness. have longed
for it so long, so very long. Can you not
understand, all of you, that it is not his
money, or the mere fact of marrying, but
it is the home of my own-the loye-that
| need Girls have none of you one kind
word for me at such time p
Daisy sprang forward and gave her a
warm embrace, tears in her own beautiful
eyes. The elder girls also came near and
kissed her, and, looking rather shame
faced, tried to offer hearty congratula-
tions. They were all touched by the sight
of Veronica's emotion; though selfish, they
were not bad at heart For a moment
Mrs. Hooker looked half inclined to take
offense
''Really, Veronica You talk as if We
had not made you happy here, she said.
Then. the better feelings prevailed and
she, too, went up to Veronica and kissed
her.
So the little scene ended better than it
began But strong emotion leaves its
mark behind. and this mark was written
I in paIe, unbecuiufns chalsietsls 5Ss ~ sIoLs--'
ica's face when she sat down at the dinner
table by the side of her critical lover.
Late that night Daisy stole into her
stepsister's room. Veronica was in bed
and the room was dark.
Veronica, are you awake?" she asked
softly.
-"Yes, Daisy dear; what is it p
II wanted to come and talk to you. |
feel that we have not made you so happy
here as we might have done, We, who
are the real interlopers in this home.
Have you done this, Veronica, to get away
from us, or do you really love Mr.. Vane.
For moment Veronica lay silent in the
darkness. ''Don't ask such very search
ing questions, Daisy DEAR" she said at
length family.
.'Well, let me say one thing. Don't
marry Mr.. Vane unless you are sure he
will make you happy. Somehow | don't
feel as if he were the right man for you.
In spite of his money and his handsome
face, he is not good enough for you. Vera
dear, if you change your mind and think
you'd like to stay on here better than to
marry Mr.. Vane, remember one thing
and that is what | came to say, shall al
ways always, be nice to you in the future"
| aDear Daisy, you have seldom been any
thing but nice, and shall not change my
mind
"You know, Vera, went on Daisy,
little nervously, as though not sure of her
ground, 81 have always had sort of feel
ing that Mr.. Pindar would like to have you
for his wife"
'Mr. Pindar have never Thought of
him do not believe he has ever thought
of me in that way. He is not marrying
man. He has always said plainly he can
not afford to marry"
"All the same, heis in love with you, said
Daisy, speaking now with more confidence.
"0h, the bright eye Of Daisy is very
sharp Now, he is a gentleman r
! 'sDo you mean to imply that Mr.. Vane
is not" asked Veronica, uneasily.
"0h, no of course, he's one, by birth
and all that. l mean--in himself he can't
compare with Mr.. Pindar as a gentleman"
! Again Veronica lay silent in the dark.
She may in her heart have recognized the
truth Of her young sisters criticisms hat
she did not choose to say so. Her silence
made Daisy feel she must say something
more either in the shape of remonstrance
or suggestion. So with the versatility Of