The Opelousas courier., 1901-02-16

~ S-~
viue-wreathed porch, darning stock
lngs. Ma DeIaney's eyes frightened
az they rested upon her, and a thrill
,tirred his usually unsusceptible
heart
aHave I traversed the wide world
sver. and gone unscathed all these
.oars~ he asked himself, only to
fall in love, at first sight, with a rus
he divinity out in the wilds Of hichi-
ganT
AZ fhe sound Of his footsteps the
.,rl looked up, with a startled air, the
lovely peach-bloom color deepening
and frightening in her velyety cheeks.
What Daisy Wentworth saw was
rail-. dark young man, Of eight-and-
tvon+v. with a somewhat listleSs ex-
oression upon his face. He wore a tour
tst,s dress of gray tweed. and carried
small pack slung across his broad
shoulders.
aMay l trouble you for a drink Of
vster?" he asked, in a low. musical
vo,ca that made the girl start, Its re-
snad accents were so different from
Tho rough speech to which she was
accustomed.
Before Daisy could comply with the
,oauest, the kitchen-door swung sud-
asnly open, and a hard, strong-fea-
rred face, with beetling black broWs
and fiery eyes, peered out, the face OF
Mrs. Wentworth, Daisy's stepmother.
"Don't come in here" she cried. in
shrill, acrid voice, glowering angrily
IT the astonished young man. You
have nothing l want in that nasty
mack. I never trade with tramps."
aOh. motherI" cried Daisy, in dis
nav. 81 am sure the man is no ped
Sler.v
aHe's something worse, then, and
had better 60 about his business"
Mrs. Wentworth was about to slam
The door, when, by an amusing DIN
,dence, a peddler's cart drove into
The yard.
She was one of those women who
made distinctions" Though unable to
aide one who carried his pack on his
,wn back, she had a weakness for
soldiers who had arrived at the dis
tnction Of driving a cart.
The angry look instantly vanished
nom her face, leaving it bland and
milling. She decided that Max De
aney must be the avant courier.
"I'm sure I beg your pardon" she
aid, humbly. Il took you for one O.
he sort that goes about with struggled
Foods made right here at home, and
sheap laces they try to palm or az
ranuins thread. I am disguised with
he whole tribe. And Daisy there has
put me all out of temper with her
Rtding and idling. Just like her dead
mother, they say. It's a dreadful trial
70 have another woman's child to
Bring up. / would never have mar.
He'd Silas Wentworth had / known he
would up and die at the end of five
Tears, and leave me to take care of
his first wife's daughter. I have
children enough Of my own to look
lfter."
Daisy was accustomed to these IT,
cades, but they always brought tears
10 her eyes. She might have reported
hat her stepmother had seized upon
he bit Of property that was left, and
used it all for the benefit Of her WI
children, but she refrained.
swat a minute" Mrs. Wentworth
pssumed, garrulously. GIVE got lots
IL rags slowed away in the garnet,
hat I've been keeping until the right
person comes along. II you don't
mind being hindered, I'll 60 and
Father 'em up"
a roguish twinkle showed itself in
Max Delaney's eyes, as the woman
disappeared in the direction Of the
upper regions.
my pack only contains the kit OF
strolling artist" he said, smilingly.
But here comes the real Simon
Pure as a ~freckled-faced man, with
scraggy, sandy moustache, ascend
I'd the steps, bringing an armful OF
hnware and some old-fashioned steel
Fards. II shall abdicate in his favor"
Daisy's cheeks were burning hotly,
but she caught up her print sunbon-
let. and bringing a tumbler from the
pantry-shelf, led the way to the well,
p the shadow of some lilac-bushes at
The rear Of the house.
Max drank the cool water she prof
fefred, as though it had been am
pr0sia. On returning the empty glass,
as gaze happened to fall upon the
PIN that fastened Daisyss collar. It
Vas q cameo of considerable value
! portrait finely and artistically cut;
aut II did not look out of place, though
aeF dress was of common Bingham.
\ beg your pardon!" he said, eager
y. But may / ask where you got
That broachr'
e was my mothers" Daisy replied;
mat Is why / IiAe to wear it."
Oh-an heirloomi Can you tell me
anything of its history? ~
Very little. My mother priced it
nlghly. The likeness is that of some
f~elatiyea great-aunt, I believe.
What was your mothers maiden
namef"
Ethel Mclean
ny gazed at the girl curiously. He
Nealds have said more, but Mrs. Went
MoFtnts shrill voice sounded at that