People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1899-01-03

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, gaz-
ing after Dick.
THAT boy" she said solemnly,
chat boy amt himself. l shouldn't
be surprised if he's driven to do some
thing desprate," and she looked re-
sentfully 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 is to warm for hot
rolls and cakes? Well, take some iced
milk and berries-Why bless me!
What's the matter with the shild?"
Daisy had burst into tears. please,
uncle-Aunt-eXcuse me-" she said,
and hastily left the room.
She did not go upstairs, but out ct
doors, where she could relieve her
heart by sO5bing unseen and I'M
heard. Passing through the garden
and the orchard, she followed the lit
tie footpath which led to the pretty
strip Of woodland, where in a cool
ravine ran a narrow but rather deep
stream between messy banks.
There had been little rustic bridge
leading to the hillside beyond, but
this had been lately washed away af-
ter 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?
Presently he started as if from a
reverie, and with lips compressed into
firm look of resolve, picked up
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 a con-
venient branch to which to attach it.
For moment she felt paralyzed,
but as she saw Dick carefully make a
moose on one end of the. rope, and
prepare to climb the tree, the spell
was unbroken. She rushed forward
with a wild shrek and threw her
arms about him.
ooh, Dick-dear Dick-don't do
such a dreadful hing! Don't hang
yourself, Dick-for my sake don't. D,
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 l believe you, Daisy? You
have as good as told me that you do
not love me, and without you l don't
care to live"
Don't talk so dreadfully, Dick-l
I do love you!"
Answer me truly, Daisy. Do you
really love me?"
Yes, sobbed the girl. Indeed
do, Dick! Please, please throw away
hat dreadful rope!"
Not yet, Daisy. Do you love me
above everybody else in the world?'
"Yes-O, yes!"
And will you marry me, Daisy?'
Yes, | will, Dick; indeed l willv
"When?"
"Any time-tomorrow-now!o 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
thiclOet of laurel on the other side O,
the stream, and drawing Daisy to
him, kissed her solemnly. "Remembe,
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.
of all the unaccountable creatures
on the face of the earth" said Miss
Marie, surveying them from the pan.
try window, recommend me to d
young courtin' coupled | don't believe
they know their own minds five min.
utes at time anyways"
Uncle Edward was sitting on the
top step of the porch, contentedIy
smoking his pipe.
We'll, Dick" said he, cheerfully
have you fixed that tree with tn.
rope all ready to pull it down in the
right direction!"
NO." answered Dick, quietly. III
attend to it tomorrow"
"Well, don't forget it, for the sooner
that bridge is finished the better. II
we want to get the hay over in good
time"
Daisy stopped and looked straight
up into Dicks face. "You have de-
ceived mel" she said Indignantly.
mo, Daisy, haven't. You deceived
yourself dear, and I'm very glad OF
1t, l assure you"
"Glad?" said Daisy, reproachfully,
and with her face all crimson with
bushes.
Because but for that 1 might new
er have gotten you to say yes and
we might both have been forever mis-
cradle. But how happy we are going
to be for all the rest of our lives!"
Still, it was dreadfully mean
trick" Daisy murmured, "and if you
ever say word about Ii TO any one,
Ill never forgive you--never."-Lon.