The Opelousas courier., 1901-02-16

strong, and cannot accomplish much"
Max Delaney muttered something
under his breath, then asked:
why don't you leave her? Have
you no relatives to whom you could
go?"
Daisy shook her head.
There 10 only the great-aunt of
whom l spoke this morning-and I
don't even know where to find her.
1t would make no difference if I did.
She is very rich, but my stepmother
says she hates girls, and could not be
induced to give NE a penny"
Suppose you go away with meT
The girl stared at him. her cheeks
flushed, her lips parted.
IL don't understand what you
mean. sir" she stammered.
There In no occasion to look 90
frightened, little one, though 1t is very
sudden. But 1 took a liking to you at
once, and l cannot endure to see you
abused. want you for nay wife, darl-
ing"
Daisy had had lovers before, but
eve one for whom she cared.
A thrill Of tingling sweetness shot
of those magnetic, dark eyes, but MAX
Delaney was a stranger, and she dared
not yield to it.
"No, no-you cannot realize what
you are saying, or else you are only
laughing at mel" she cried, running
away and hiding herself, with emo
lions singularly blended Of rapture and
alarm.
Two weeks wore on, Daisy saw no
more Of the handsome artist, but she
was continually dreaming or thinking
of him.
One morning, Daisy Unexpectedly re-
ceived a letter. It fell first into her
stepmother's hands, who, in the exsr-
else Of a privilege arrogated to herself.
Immediately tore it open and possessed
herself of its contents. 1t ran thus:
II do not expect to feel proud of q
grand-niece brought up in the back
woods of Michigan, but it is time you
saw something Of the world. You can
come to me for a six weeks visit, If
you like. But don't expect to become
my heiress. My will is made already,
and does not give you a dollar.
PATTY MCLEAN.
"Bless me-" Mrs. Wentworth ex-
claimed. startled almost out Of her
senses. cit is from that misery old
woman, your great-aunt. How did
she learn your address, l wonder? And
she has actually sent q cheque for one
hundred dollars to buy a new outfit,
and defray expenses. Well, I never!"
Daisy's heart beat high with hope
and expectation.
"I may go?' she cried, in an eager,
pleading tone.
Mrs. Wentworth frowned.
'"I don't knew how to spare you,
just as harvest is coming on. But that
grabbed old maid would be angry if l
refused to let you go. She lives in
Philadelphia, it appears. twenty-five
dollars will take you there, and youth
| want % more for new clothes. That
will leave $50 for me and my daughter
Joanna Yes, you might as well be-
gin to get ready
When Daisy's preparations were all
made, and she was about setting out
upon her journey, Mrs. Wentworth
| said:
NOW I want you to speak a good
word for Joanna. She amt no rela-
ton Of Miss Mclean, to-be-sure, but
the old miser might send her q few
| dresses and jewels, and never miss
'em. Take everything that's offered
you, Daisy. and when you come back
| I'll divide the things between you two
girls"
Daisy was quite startled by the mag
n~ifcence of the brown stone front
where Miss Mclean resided.
Her great aunt, a wrinkled old erone
in black velvet and lace, welcomed her
with a kiss.
"You have your mothers face, nay
| dear. / am glad of that"
"Oh,". cried Daisy, eagerly, d you
remember my mother"
Certainly. I used to wish she was
a boy, that I might leave her my
money. But girls are not Of much con-
| sequence in this world. I had lost all
trace of poor Ethel. And 81 Silas
Wentworth is dead? He was a good
man, but sadly wanting in energy"
"How did you find me, Aunt Patty?'
'That's a secret" an odd twinkle in
| her beady eyes. "By-the-way, I seeyou
wear a cameo brooch that was your
mothers. It was cut la Italy half a
century ago. Do you Know whose head
it is"
yours, Aunt Patty"
The old woman laughed softly.
eyes dear; though it does not bear
| much resemblance to me now. One
changes in so years. There were two
cut at the same time. | have always
kept the duplicate"
Il was a charmed Neutrality-suspicious.
Daisy. The gay city, with all it's at
fractions and nov. tiles, Sc mel Ike en-
chanted land. She was Thoroughly
happy for the first time in her life.
Miss Mclean appeared quite fond OF
her, and her sweet dreams were neVer
interrupted by Mrs. Wentworfns
sharp, rasping voice.
six weeks went by all too quickly