Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-28
DECEIVED HERSELF

nlc next 1ueSdaY!
What fellow" asked Daisy, icily.
'You know who l mean" Dick was
pale with jealousy and wrath. And
you know that there was an under
standing that l was to escort you"
Il presume that l can go with whom
/ choose?" answered Daisy, haughtily.
so you can, and want you now to
make your choice; but | tell you, once
for all, that if 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 it; you've
made me desperate!" he retorted.
This thing must come to an end be-
tween us one way or another, for will
bear 1t no longer"
What right have you to speak to
me in that tone? l am not your slave,
and l shall go with DR.. Fenwick to the
picnic"
Very WELL" he said, shortly, and.
turning on his heel walked off 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. l shouldn't be sur
prised if he's driven to do something
desprate," 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 weathers 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 mossy 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 a
reverie, and-with lips compressed into
firm look of resolve, picked up a
coil of rope which lay at his feet. Then
he walked round and round a 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 to
climb the tree, the spell was broken
She rushed forward with a wild
Shrek and threw her arms about him
30, Dick-dear Dick-don't do such a
dreadful thing! Don't hang yourself
Dick-for my sake don't o, forgive
me, dear Dick, and I'll never tease or
grieve you again!"
He looked down into the white face
of the sobbing girl, and his stern eyes
softened. But then he said gloomily
How can | believe you, Daisy? You
have as good as told me that you do
not love me, and without you / don t
care to live"
Don't talk so dreadfully, Dick. /
i do love you!"
Answer me truly, Daisy. Do you
really love me?"
Yes" sobbed the girl Indeed |
do, Dick! Please, please throw away
that dreadful rope
mot yet, Daisy. Do you love me
above everybody else in the world?"
"Yes-O, yes!"
And Will you marry me, Daisy?"
Eyes, l will, Dick; indeed l wilt"
"When?"
Amy time-to-morrow-now!" said
Daisy in desperation, if you will only
throw away that dreadful thing and
come home with me-
Dick flung the coil of rope into a
thicket of laurel on the other side OF
the stream, and drawing Daisy to him.
kissed her solemly. Remember. you
have promised to be my wife, Daisy"
Yes" she answered meekly. And
so, hand in hand, they returned through
the orchard and the garden to the
house.
Uncle Edward was sitting on the top
step of the porch contentedly smoking
his pipe.
well, Dick" said he, cheerfully.
have you fixed that tree with the
rope all ready to pull it down in the
right direction?"
No" answered Dick, quietly. "I'll
attend to it tomorrow"
well, don't forget it, for the sooner
that bridge is finished the better, if we