The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-10-21
DECEIVED HERSELF


"Daisy, did l nc ar you promise that
that fellow to so with him to the pic
mic next Tuesdav?"
"What fellow?" asked Daisy, Jelly
"You know who l mean" Dick was
pale with jealousy and wrath. "And
you knew that there was an under.
standing that was to escort you"
81 presume that l can go with whom
l choose?" answered Daisy, haughtily,
$50 you can, and / want you now to
make your choice; but tell you, once
for all, that II you throw me over for
that Fenwick you will be done with
me for ever"
"My goodness, Dick, what temper
you have!"
you've driven me to 1t; you've
made me desperate!" he retorted.
"This thing must come to an end be-
tween us one way or another, for ! will
bear it no longer"
"What right have you to speak to
me in that tone? am not your slave,
and shall go with DR.. Fenwick to the
picnic"
every WE'LL" he said, shortly. and
turning on his heel walked of in the
direction of the barn.
AS Daisy entered the cool dining
room. Miss Maria was standing at the
window, with her arms akimbo, gazing
after Dick.
THAT boy" she said solemly, that
boy amt himself. / shouldn't be sur
prised If he's driven to do something
desp'rate," and she looked resentfully
at Daisy.
"You don't eat anything. Daisy"
kindly said uncle Edward, who never
saw much Of what was not going on
right before his eyes. Maybe you
think the weather's too warm for hot
rolls and cakes? Well take some iced
milk and berries-Why bless me!
What's the matter with the child?"
Daisy had burst into tears. please,
uncle-aunt-excuse me-" she said,
and hastily left the room.
She did not go upstairs, but out OF
doors, where she could relieve her
heart by sobbing unseen and unheard.
Passing through the garden and the
orchard, she followed the little foot
path which led to pretty strip OF
woodland, where in a cool ravine ran
narrow but rather deep stream be-
tween messy banks.
There had been little rustic bridge
leading to the hillside beyond, but this
had been lately washed away after a
heavy rain and-wasn't that Dick, his
arms folded, with his eyes bent upon
the deep pool, which the rocks had just
here pent in?
A sudden fear seized Daisy. Surely
surely Dick could not be thinking OF
drowning himself. She stood, still and
breathless, watching him.
Pesently he started, as If from q
reverie, and with lips compressed iato
a firm look of resolve, picked up a
coil of rope which lay at his feet Then
he walked round and round tall
straight tree, growing close to the
edge of the stream, looking up into its
thick foliage as If for convenient
branch to which to attach it.
For moment she felt paralyzed, but
as she saw Dick carefully make moose
on one end Of the rope, and prepare tc
climb the tree, the spell was broken
She rushed forward with wild
shrek and threw her arms about him
20, Dick-dear Dick--don't do such q
dreadful thing! Don't hang yourself
Dick-for my sake don't. O, forgive
me, dear Dick, and I'll never tease Of
grieve you again!"
He looked down into the white face
of the sobbing girl, and his stern eye:
softened. But then he said gloomiiy
How can believe you, Daisy? 70,
have as good as told me that you d.
not love me, and without you l dom
care to live"
Don't talk so dreadfully, Dick!
II do love you!"
ANSWER me truly, Daisy. Do 20,
really love me?"
"Yes," sobbed the girl. Indeed
do Dick! Please, please throw ava.
that dreadful rope!
mot yet, Daisy. Do you love m,
above everybody else in the world?"
"Yes-O, yes!"
"And will you marry me, Daisy? ?"
Eyes, will, Dick; indeed l Wilt"
"When?"
ANY time-to-morrow-no salt
Daisy in desperation, if you will onl,
hot droo f,,1 ~,
come home with me-"
Dick flung the coil of rope into
thicket Of laurel on the other side O
the stream, and drawing Daisy to him
kissed her solemly. Remember, yol
have promised to be my wife, Daisy.
EYES," she answered meekly. All,
30, hand in hand. they returned through
the orchard and the garden to th
house.
Uncle Edward was sitting on the to-
step of the porch contentedly smoking
his pipe.
We'll, Dick" said he, cheerfully
have you fixed that tree with tn
rope all ready to pull it down in tn
right direction?"
NO" answered Dick. quietly. ".Il
| attend to it tomorrow"
We'll, don't forget it, for the soone
that bridge is finished the better, if W
want to get the hay over in goo,
| time"
Daisy stopped and looked straight u
into Dicks face. "You have deceive,
mel" she said Indignantly.
mo, Daisy, 1 haven't You deceive,
yourself, dear, and I'm very glad of il
assure you"
"Glad?" said Daisy, reproachfully
and with her face all crimson will
Z, bushes.
Because but for that might neve
have gotten you to say 'yes;' and W
might both have been forever miser
able. But how happy we are going t
be for all the rest of our lives!"
still. 1t was dreadfullv mea,
/ rick" Daisy murmured, land if 70,
ever say word about 1t to any one
II never forgive you-never."
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