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

ramble. The tide is far out and there is nc
need for her to hurry herself, so she care
lessly strolls On and on, STOPPING here and
there to examine shell or a piece of sea-
Weeo until she has diStanced all the rest OF
the explorers who were tempted out by the
glorious day, and finds herself among the
dark, cool rocks and salty pools, alone.
Alone-that is, except for one young man
who has been before her in the distance fol
a long time, walking on slowly Also but al
the very edge of the sea, and occasionally
stopping to poke about with his stick among
the slippery green crags, and the crabs and
jellyfiSh.
When Daisy is at last tired she sits down
and not having troubled to carry book, re-
lapses into rather pensive thought for hall
an hour, when she rises again and turns hel
face homeWard, all unWittingly that the
young man is just in front of her, and this
time close in under the shadow of the cliffs
Both of them felt excessively awkward, anG
neither pleased, when in turning carelessly
the young man discovers that the footstep:
behind him means Daisy Page, and she, tina
the figure before her belongs to Tom Carru
theirs, and both that they are Obliged tt
speak and walk along together in the same
direction; for in such waste of rock anC
sand it would be impossible for even the
barest acquaintance to pass on alone with
out appearing either surly or offended.
Tom has no wish to let Miss Page imagine
she has had the power to offend him, SO h
accepts the situation, and they join eacl
other in as matter-of-fact a fashion as the.
can manage, and plunge into the same sor
of forced conversation as they had to under
go at so many society functions during thu
last dreary weeks.
Tom feels more bitter than ever toward
the girl at his side, for of course his broth
er's attachment is no secret to him, and b.
the fact that everybody is talking of the wa.
in which Phil and the mother and daughte
are necessarily to be seen together he know
Daisy must be encouraging his brother a
she once encouraged himself and is no
very likely to accept any oliVe-branch, how
ever openly she holds it out.
They have reached the entrance to tn
town again, and are just passing up the littl
cutting to the cliffs when the strains of
band that is playing on the parade com
floating to them through the warm Septem
Der air. 1t is the Never to Know waltz
and such a keen pang of pain contract
Daisy's heart for moment as she recognize
the tune that is so associated with all sh
has experienced of grief and disappointment
that the tears rush. into her eyes and tn
yellow sand at her feet becomes a blur o
grey.
pretty thing, isn't it?" exclaims Tom
Manlike he has no idea that to that same al
he paced tuning up and down the terrace a
the Godalming's ball. Makes a capita
waltz. Have you ever danced to it? 49,
mo" answers Daisy, in low tone, thel
WIFI sudden resolution she looks up; i Wa
enga ged to- YOU for that same waltz though
at the Goldaming's three months ago. sh
says, with fast beating heart. Il had
headache and had to go upstairs, but I re
member hearing what they were playing VI
in my room.
1--WE were great friends then, Mr. Carru
theirs, and since that night we have neVe
been the same. 1 don't know why. I
don't like losing friends she goes on pain
fully, as Tom does not speak 81 would
rather try to clear up a misunderstanding
than let it continue month after month lik
this.
Sometimes one word will explain every
thing, and though you seemed to pooh-pool
the idea of my having vexed you when
mentioned it some time ago, l know l mus
have said or done something, though quit
unintentonally, believe me. Won't you tel
me what it is?" and she looks up, pleadingly
1t costs Daisy terrible effort to say al
this but she feels as though she cannot lie
the opportunity slip by.
She and Tom have drifted far apart and h
will evidently never advance step tow
ards a reconciliation, so unless it comes from
her side they bid fair to develop into strang
ers. If he rejects this appeal as he did tina
first one she feels nothing further b.
done
Tom has not helped her out at all. At thu
conclusion of her speech he breaks into
light and careless laugh.
my dear Miss Page" he exclaims as i
reassuringly, Il can't imagine how you cal
have got hold of this notion that you have
offended me. 1t is really absurd, if you will
excuse my saying SO. Pray make youl
mind easy. I am not conscious of any mis-
understanding between US, and 1 hope 20,
won't think it necessary to worry yourself
any further about it,
The flush of scarlet that rushes into
Daisys face after this is succeeded. by a pal
lor that might have opened Toms eyes ant
touched his heart had he glanced at her. bu
he is looking ahead with the careless smile
still lowering about his lips.
81 am glad that I am mistaken she saws