The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-10-23

But Dexter, declaring there was moth
ing to excuse, cantered off like young
| colt into the fields of romance, and ut
tered all manner of sweet and foolish
|, sentiments.
| "Ah!" she sighed, "you are SO good!
) 1 believe am really learning. What a
help you are to me! Sister Hetty said
I might talk to you exactly like--as If
you were my gr-
| Lover" Dexter interposed; "really
am not far off; Daisy. you have taken
me by storm"
| She looked at him with dreamy eyes,
and said, almost whispering:
II have a secret to confess to you, Mr..
Dexter"
Dexter was so frightened that he lit
orally trembled.
II can't muster courage yet; but you
shall know tomorrow. 1t is-about--
about yourself" and she ran out Of the
| room.
"Well, I'll be shotl" he calculated.
He grew hot and cold; he seized pen,
but couldn't frame word. What Sc
cret was this lovely, unsophisticated
darling going to tell to him, with her
utter disregard for the conventional
| tiles?
| And it is leap year, tool
"Were I conceited man." he said,
Sinking at himself in his mirror, Il
would fancy her in love with me-"
So he thought the matter over in every
light. Putting together the otherwise
unacountable blushings, leap year, her
undisguised liking for him he made
up his mind he would as soon marry
her as not--in fact, rather. On no ac-
count could he wound her susceptible
little tender heart. Guileless little
creature! In fact, he owed her great
deal for Frightening his story-a serial,
too-beyond all belief. And how might
she not brighten his life!
So with beating heart he entered the
parlor, ready for any emergency.
Daisy was there.
II have been waiting" she cried. "I
have braced up my courage tc make the
avowal.''
Her hands were behind her and her
lovely face all aglow. II wish you
would help me out. You must suspect |
what the secret is. Come, now; don't |
you? Don't make it so hard for me |
to say the words, Mr.. Dexter"
Dexter dropped upon sofa, utterly |
overcome with blissful anticipation, in |
kind of tranced calm.
"You are so clever. Mr.. Dexter, you
may have guessed"
daisy, darling" he murmured, draw
ing her gently to his side. II have
guessed thought so from the very
first"
."Ah, you clever dearl" she cried, joy
fully; land you have given me every
encouragement, haven't you? And in
SO many delicate ways"
"That have, dearest; but don't be SO
shy. Come out and say the words.
long to hear them from those innocent
lips"
Daisy looked up and she locked down.
"Come, darling" murmured Dexter;
"don't keep me in suspense. You have
every right to speak out. Consider the
year-leap, you know; and the new
woman and all that. I'll be sure to
say yes to everything"
"What on earth do you mean?" cried
Daisy, drawing herself a little aloof.
She kept her two hands clasping some
thing tightly behind her back.
"You shy little mouse!" whispered
Dexter. reaching for them.
There! youhave it'll" and she dropped
into his hands thick manuscript. IT
have written a love story, Mr.. Dexter,
and have worked you mas my hero"
Dexter fell back limp and speechless
and she ratified on:
II worked you in from the point of
your shoe to the crown of your dear old
head. Though. of course, covered that
bald place with nice brown hair and
out your wrinkles and made
you look as you must have done 20 years
ago."
"Oh, you did?" murmured Dexter.
feebly.
''Was it wrong?" she cried, in con-
sternation. II thought it would mako
you feel young again. thought you
would be pleased"
Daisy" uttered Dexter, hoarsely,
why did you blush every time came
near your"
ITO make you notice me. Is it wrong
to like to be noticed? II
why did you draw me on TO tell you
of love, love, love?"
Il wanted to know; and Sister Hetty
said / might talk to you like dear,
sweet old grandfather. Oh-oh, have
hurt your precious feelings 2" and Daisy
fairly blubbered.
Some months later Dexter met his