Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-03-24

grew more insistent.
Poor boyw said Daisy. "Dick, / told
her thought Mr. Ford horrid.'
did you?" / cried, my hands fying
from my pockets to-elsewhere.
Eyes and she said should know pet
ter as | got older. don't see what she
means. OF course, l couldn't tell her
about you or she'd have seen that my
getting older couldn't make any diner
ence. Oh, Dick, isn't it wonderful!
YES" said I, soberly, for a look haa
passed in the blue eyes that seemed 20
me very wonderful indeed.
Presently Daisy said in low voice:
81 wish papa wouldn't insist on going
abroad all the Long. He says he can
work better there"
What does he want to work for?
cried I.
81 don't know" said she. "Dick, why
don't you come abroad?"
1t was a bitter moment
1--WE got no money" said I, with
defiant bluntness.
Her breath caught halfway through
a little laugh and she said:
ooh, you poor, dear boy! Never mind,
Dick. It's only till October"
"Oniyw said 1, in tones Hamlet
might be proud of.
will it seem very long," she asked,
dropping her lashes.
CAS- If you didn't know"
Eyes. but Dick, may like to be told
all the same, you know!
So / told her, and aeons on aeons
Of weary waiting rose before us, at the
bidding of my words.
"And in all that time," said she, "are
you sure you won't forget? Oh, well.
then believe you won't. Think, DICK.
what it will be when you come back!
You must look out of your window all
the first day-and perhaps l may come
by"
"And look up?'
Perhaps"
perhaps you'll have forgotten
"Oh, Dick, that is horrid OF you! j
never forget my friends"
Friends" echoed. Indignantly
well. you know what mean" said
she, indulgently.
AS she spoke the great clock in the
tower struck II. She sprung to her
feet.
Don't co." urged. DAISY, it's the
last time"
"Oh, but I must; so must you"
well, then. before you go. promise"
l urged
but have promised, Dick"
you'll think of no one else the whole
timer"
"No-of no one else"
Not of that fellow. Franklin F.
Dick! I told you hated him. Aren't
you going to promise, too"
The garden seemed peaceful and quiet.
We sat down on the bench again for a
moment-or it was meant to be mo-
ment. But such moments are endowed
from heaven with blessed elasticity. ]
think l promised for full quarter OF
an hour.
Then, at a cry from Daisy, looked
up. A tall, stout man in gold specta-
eles stood looking down at us, curl
Gus, only half unkind smile on his face.
1t was the provost. felt crimson all
over and sat speeches..
Pray, what's the meaning OF this,
Mr.. Vansittart?" he asked, the mixed
smile still on his lips.
I looked at him in fright for an in
slant. Then pride arose in me.
cleared my throat and began:
"Sir, l am promising"
The demon of irony raked up in the
provosts mind the memory Of his last
words to me. Oh, that had found an
other exordium for my heroic speech!
Upon my word" said he, thrusting
one hand into his cross-cut trouser
pocket and pulling at his whiskers with
the other. "You are promising, for
your age, very promising, Mr.. Vansit-
tart"
The bubble was broken. Daisy hung
her head. was very red and hot again
very promising" chuckled the pro-
vost, jingling the money in his pocket
Every promising, indeed"
could have struck him for his mock
ing iteration.
DAISY, go indoors" said he, land
Mr.. Vansittart, may l lend you my key
of the garden gate? Pray be so good as
to return it to the porter"
He handed it to me with polite bow.
81 meantit, sir" stammered.
you're young fool" said he. And
he held out his hand. Eyes, a young
fool" he said. again, as he shook hands.
l went.
He stood, watching my exit. looked
back as I reached the gate. He was
there still, and behind him in the porch
waved handkerchief. passed through
the gate and locked 1t behind me.
And was the Long very long? And
did forget her In the Long?
/ am willing to answer, at any cost
to my own character, all material ques-
tions. But that question is immaterial.
For she forgot me in the Long. Dear
me. hope she's happy somewhere!
A Smugglers' Cave.