Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-03-25
The Privilege of the Day.
ny HELEN FORREST oRAvEs


any man could have said more than
thatw
So that, when she heard of Amabel
Archer's invitation, a very natural jeal-
ousy stirred her heart
That MINK" said she, "shall stay
home and mind her business. or I'll
know the reason why! Sleigh riding,
indeed. BY moonlight! Not il
know it,
"No, Miss Archer" she said, firmly;
81 have promised Miss waterson that
she shall have her plum-colored silk
tomorrow morning"
Cant Barbara Dayton finish it?"
Amabel asked with wistful eyes. "I'll
do as much for her some time"
"I'll do it, said cheerful Barbara
'T'd as soon stay after hours as not. I"
Excuse me-" said the dressmaker,
with awful stiffness OF demeanor, "but
/ prefer 10 manage my business for
myself. Amabel Archer must finish
the dress as she has begun it. Two
or three differen, hands on a job are
sure to ruin it, and | don't desire to
lose Miss Waterson's custom"
But" cried Amabel, piteously, 81
promised Captain Juniper Il must
CO."
IF you co." said Miss Daffodil,
''you don't come back into my employ
ment again.
And poor Amabel thought of her in
valid mother and the three apple
checked little sisters who were clothed
and kept at school by her toll, and she
dared not demonstrate further.
but ] shall hear the sleigh BELLS"
she comforted herself; "and can Just
run out moment and beg him TO be-
lieve that it was not my fault"
And she sat down by the window,
after the other hands were gone--she
was the only one who boarded with
Miss Daffodil-to sew and sigh and
listen.
But she heard no silyer-chiming
sleigh bells. How should she. when
Miss Daifodil had quietly crept down
the lane and intercepted the cap
tain's gay little equipage just where
the old tinger.post raised its skeleton
form in the air?
"Oh," said the captain, frank,
handsome young fellow, with laughing
blue eyes and golden beard, as it
you, Miss Dairodil? thought per-
haps--"
! eyes, it's me, said Mis-. DafTodil,
/ sweetly. 81 just came to tell you
that Miss Archer is very sorry, but
she can't go cutter riding with You
/ this evening. She's got bad sore
/ throat; besides. she's dreadful hurried
with her work. "
Captain jumpers countcnGucc fell.
/ He played with thehandle of his whip,
while the horse paved the ground and
/ fecked his jetty breast with Specks of
foam, all ipipatience to be gone.
al am So sorryr' lie said, with such
genuine disappointment that Miss Daft
/ folil could have boxed his ears. "But,
Miss Dalodil, may coniide in you?"
"Oh. certainly" said the dress
maker, graciCusly.
"Do YOU believe in st. Nsleutinew
lie asked?
Dear met gig lied Miss Daffodil-
what very strange question: He's
supposed to he the patron saint Of
lovers, isn't he?"
That's the reason | asked you,
said Captain Juniper, leaning his
head still closer toward the spinster's
worsted hood. ''Do you believe in
him?"
"Of course do, smiled the lady,
with II curious hutter in the region OF
her heart.
Then am sure may trust You,
said he. feryently, II shall be under
the easement at daybreak on ~, Val
en,ine's day to claim Miss Archer as
my valentine for the year, Tell her
So, from me. Beg ner not TO disap-
point me again"
YES" said Misc Daffodil, turning
T. dull yellow with rage and vexation
yves. captain, l will"
~ SHALL be so much obliged to you"
said the unsuspecting lover
"Oh, not at ALL" said Miss Datfodil.
you're quite sure she didn't send
me any messenger" said Captain Juni.
per, wistfully.
"No message" said Miss Daffodil,
smoothly.