The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-28


Which tells plainly that, after all, her cousin
margaret has read her correctly
one mas not expected Mr.. CarrutherS, but
tHefe IS no start of surprise or delight when
shc is told that he awaits her in the draw
lng-rcom. Refolding the last and most &C
ceptable present that has arrived-a book
from poor music teacher away in Brussels
whom she has always perversely considered
ner dearest friend-fnto its WrappingS, and
tyinS 1t up carefully, she descends to meet
Phll, concerning whose errand she has not
even the faintest curiosity.
Sut there is something in his face that
xorces her attention as he turns at her en-
trance and comes towards her. That he is
deeply agltated she can see at a glance.
i nave just heard something. Daisy that
l cannot understand at ALL he begins hur-
Tledly. Your cousin, Margaret Ponsonby
has just assured me that you were once
and that very short time ago-deeply and
passlonately attached to my brother Tom, in
1act' as she put it, 'madly in love- with him.
If Phil Carruthers could utter words which
would paralyze his betrothed wife's tongue
and almost her brain, these would be the
identical ones which row fall from his lips.
Incapable of reply, or even an enquiry,
Daisy remains rooted to the center of the
oraWlng-room floor, staring at him with di-
lated blue eyes, while every trace of color
fades swiftly out of her face.
Il have never heard a whisper of such a
thing before, goes on Phil. st cannot be-
Heve it now, in spite of the fact that Miss
Ponscnby swore with every appearance of
acted Indifference all this time if he had
cared for you. I am his brother; and l know
that he was never in love with you. I feel
almost equally sure that you were never in
love with him. If you had been you were
not the sort of girl to have fegned an affec-
ton for me, were you, Daisy?"
The appeal in his voice brings no answer
from Daisy. She does not remove her eyes
from him, but every emotion, shame above
all, seems surging within her and keeping
her dumb.
She says you would never have accepted
me had it not been for your mother" Phil
continues. She seems to insinuate that my
being wealthy was the passport to
Mrs. Pages favor. That may, of course,
nave little truth in it, as any mother would
like prosperous future secured to her only
daughter but in regard to this other matter
this alleged fancy for Tom-what have you
TO say, Daisy?" He waits, looking at her
anXiously.
"What-what proof does my cousin Mar
garet offer for such an assertion?" Daisy
manages to gasp, rather than speak, at last
she says for thing" answers Phil,
mat on the very evening when you and I
nrSt met you complained to her bitterly of
Icm'S treatment. She says she had a terrible
scene with you. Daisy, if this is true how
We're you able to forget him and give your
self to me so SOON? What am 1 to believe?
She says you were broken hearted about nv
brother, and that she chosen as your
conndant She is convinced that, in spite of
your engagement to me- you are still at
Daisy's agony of humiliation has onIv in
creased with his words. Too well she knows
that 1t is as Margaret Ponsonby has cruelty
and treacherouSly informed him. But with
FhlI Carruthers searching blue eyes full upon
her how can she confess to an unreuuited
love for Tom, Tom who so lightly and care
1essly ignores her? In a passion of shame
and confusion, she gives utterance to the
nrst deliberate lie that has ever passed her
lips
NO, 1t is not true she cries, vehemently.
i never loved your brother! 1 never told
margaret PonSonby so! You can believe me.
or not, as you like; but Tom Carruthers is
no more to me than-than that table-and he
never was, and never will be! AS for you"
suddenly breaking into a storm of tears
your conduct has been most insulting and
1 never. want such a subject mentioned be-
tween US again. as long as 1 live!"
Phll would hold out his arms to catch her
but before he can do she has fled from
the room and the door is violently slammed.
1t is useless to send Mathers to entreat the
girl TO come down again from her bedroom.
Tor Daisy refuses to listen to any appeal She
is sobblng her heart out, stretched upon the
floor Everything seems gone from her now
even her self respect
She has told a falsehood, she has wronged
Margaret Ponsonby, and gained nothing by
it-not even peace. Her misery seems nm
bearable, and though her lover may send I'D
hundred messages, not one of them is likely
TO yield her the smallest grain of comfort
Phil Carruthers is pertubed and remorseful
that evening.
I've offended Daisy most terribly" he
says to Tom, who generally manages to es-
cape this sort of confidence 81 went to call
on the Ponsonbys this afternoon and Mar
gaTet-somehow I never much cared about
that girl-began telling me some cock-and-
bull story of how Daisy-this will amuse
you, old fellow-once fancied you-you
nlnd, smiling in spite Of his moodiness