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


He cannot understand Mrs. Page today any
more than he could understand her last
nght without compromising why he
should be exactly, he is vaguely angry with
hef. and vaguely angry with Daisy, who is
pehaVlng very strangely too. She might
nave given him this morning the opportunity
which was deferred last night and now per-
maps, all her time will be taken up in see
ing her things packed or talking to the other
peuple or saying a sentimental goodbye to
her favorite little haunts, most girls al
ways think it is incumbent on them to do
When leaving place, even if they have only
spent week in it. All, perhaps she is al
ready performing this important rite, and
with the thought Tom follows Mrs. Page out
OF the room hastily, determined if possible,
TO Waylay his little love before her visit
comes to an end, and her dragon of mother
bears her away
He thinks his good luck is in the ascendant,
when. just at the bottom of the broad stair
case in the hall, he comes upon Daisy.
Trusting in her strength, and know
ms she had only another half-hour before
the carriage comes round, she had now
dressed and descended unknown to Mrs.
Page, and to Toms eyes looked quite herself
again, for cold water has helped to bring
back her color, and he does not read the
sparkle under the curling lashes Alright. She
greetS him with the coolest and most brilliant
of smiles, a smile which, if Tom did but
Know it, is years older than any he has ever
seen upon her pretty lips.
-"Oh, Daisy, how jolly!'' he exclaims, boy
mightn't get a minute with you. After last
night, when you disappeared SO suddenly,
without a word of warning" rather re-
ploachfully, st couldn't reckon upon any
thing
obi" remarks Daisy, with an accent of
careless inquiry.
DO you feel all right now?" he asks, ten
derby.
q was never wrong" she observes flip
PANTY.
But you felt@rather out of sorts, or tired,
or something, when you left last night"
..':No; / thought it was stupid affair, that
was ALL"
Tom gazes at her with hurt and astonished
eyes. Is Daisy turning incomprehensible as
we'll as her mother? 1t seems like it. Her
eyes are shining very coldly in spite of their
smile, and he stares at her she turns
carelessly to pass along the hail. though the
big door stands invitingly open.
Daisy won't you come out there?" he
asks pointing to the sunny lawn and she
shady walks.
NO; / am going to make my adleux to the
rest she replies.
~ thought you would have given a
minute or two after disappointing me SO aw-
fully last night" he observes reproachfuly.
Ibid you? am afraid have other friends
to consider we'll as you, Mr.. Carruthers,
she observes carelessly over her shoulder.
Tom falls back, inexpressibly wounded by
her tone and manner, and she leaves him
staring after her beWildered. ,e,@ -: t-
She is trembling all oVer5with agitation as
She disappears into the morning room, but
she says to herself that she has partly vim
dictated her dignity, and tries to feel triumph
ant. If Tom really cares for her, as her
mother said last night, few little difficult
ties will not separate them, and in day or
two she can perhaps allow herself to relax
and forget what malicious tongues have ut
tered.
Tom does not see her again until almost
hidden behind stately Mrs. Page, she ap-
pears for a moment in the hall, and they
step into the carriage which is waiting for
them, and he is then by no means to the
front, for he feels angry with both mother
and daughter and only shakes hands very
coldly in bidding them goodbye.
Mamma, why didn't he leave with us as
he is coming to lunch?' asks Daisy, as
they roll down the drive.
He? Whom are you abiding to so vague
ly, my dear?" queries Mrs. Page, with a
slight frown.
why, Tom, mamma" in surprise.
o. pray say Mr.. Carruthers,' Daisy, re-
proves her mother. stiffly And I would
rather hear nothing more of him for a time
if you keep him out of your thoughts
and conversation The subjectis not pleas
ing one to me, whatever it may be to you.
However, you ask me about him, he is
not coming to lunch today He excused him
self"
Daisy, blushing vivid crimson at her
mothers cold rebuke, feels the color all leav-
ing her cheeks at the end of the sentence.
Unconsciously, and though determined to
keep Tom at distance during the afternoon,
she has been dwelling on the thought of his
visit to the bungalow, and her spirits, by no
means high before, sink at the intelligence
of his intended absence until the hedges and
dusty roads only seen through Watery
mist.
1t is very dreary day. Mrs. Page, who is
almost as bitterly disappointed in her way
as Daisy in hers, shuts herself up in her
room after lunch, feeling that for a few