The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-28
now. for 1 know you are longing to be

now. for I know you are longing to be
| there
Mrs. Page feels that Mr. Carruths intends
to ask her daughter the all-important ques-
ton tonight Her heart beats with triumph,
! and she feels satisfied with all the world,
| as she descends to the room where Lady
| Godalmings guests are fast assembling.
| Daisy's cheek is pink with excitement and
the anticipation of pleasure With dancing
eyes she glances shyly to right and left from
| behind her mother as they enter and flow
ers, lights, the band, and the people all swim
before her as she perceives Tom Carruthers
start forward from some corner near the
door where he had been standing and come
UP to them gaily.
Mr.. Carruthers looks if anything even more
joyous than the girl to whom he has given
his heart, and intends tonight to offer his
hand He is very handsome young fellow
OF three or four and twenty, quite unspoiled
as yet by the attentions of the world who
regard with respect the wealth which
brought him into prominence eight or nine
months ago.
His eyes seek Daisys tenderly, and see at
once his roses nesting amongst the chiffon
on her bodice. The two young lovers-for
lovers they are, though not yet declared ones
smile at each other in very satisfied fash
ion, and Tom claims her at once for the
waltz the band is beginning to strike up. He
has no need to ask for her program, for his
name has been inscribed upon it in as many
places as Mrs. EPagegwould allow for several
daysApast.@ 9rhey have all three been Lady
Goldalming's guests during the past week,
but Daisy and her mother are returning to-
morrow to the Bungalow, the pretty little
house which they are renting for a time in
the neighborhood and whittier Carruthers is
hoping to follow them in the character of
Daisys afflanced husband after the fateful
words tonight have been spoken.
Il want to say something to you later on, -
he says to her, in a low tone, while they are
gyrating round in time to the dreamy meas
ure
why not now?" she asks, feigning ignor-
ance of the meaning in his voice. half from
coquetry and half from shyness
1T is too important-at least, to ne-to tell
it to you until we are quite alone he makes
answer.
well. we are ute alone now" she protests,
trying to assume that his confidence must
, be of the commonplace nature, but the
b1 onze- brown lashes dropping over her dark.
blue eyes. "And I am lust in the hunor to
hear something funny
Something funny echoes Ton laughing,
for he feels that he and Daisy understand
each other in spite of her wilful fencing.
I'm not sure l can oblige you in that way.
Daisy
They are generally Daisy" and Tom to
each other when nobody is by.
Il hope it is something interesting then
she eXclalms, nerVously. You so often pre-
tend you have something quite out of the
| 81
turns out anything after all-only-'
only an excuse to get you away from other
people for bit" he interrupts, gaily. You
ought to thank me instead of reproaching
me, Miss Page. The very first time 1 saw
you you told me You didn't care for society,
and that most of rhe people you met bored
| you to death, and So 1 take compassion on
you sometimes just from pure kindness of
heart"
Their eyes meet, and both break into an
nTepresslble laugh, they are so happy tonight
that they are ready to laugh at anything,
eN en- the most foolish of jests.
Let us sit down here, shall we?" says
Tcm, coming to standstill near two seats,
and consulting his program. L think the
best time for asking you the question. want
an answer to, will be the supper dance; I
mean we needn't waste time over the supper
Itself, but can get away, leaving the other
people at It, and have the garden to our
: selves, what do you say Daisy?" looking up
from the card. and trying to get a glimpse
i of her eyes, which are obstinately downbent.
II may be hungry" she says IL am
/ nearly sure l shall be, and of course you
will with emphasis
well, time will prove that" returns Mr.
! Carruths composedly I am not conscious
of any appetite at present. and I did not
know L generally exhibited such ravenous
! symptoms When l was with YOU, that you
need make such very pointed insinuations;
| but seriously, may say what 1 want to you
: then, Daisy" changing his tone.
Dalsy reply is Uttered in very low null