Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-02-27
A HAPPY MISTAKE.

You know VINO mean. LICK WA
pale with Jealousy and wrath.
II presume that can go with whom
| choose" answered Daisy, haughtily.
80 you can; and l want you now
to make your choice; but tell you,
once for all, that II you throw me over
for that Fenwick you will be done
with me forever"
What right have you to sp,ak to
me In that tone? l am not your slave,
and I shall 60 with Doctor Fenwick
to the picnic"
Every WE'LL" he said shortly, and
turning on his heel. walked OF In the
direction Of the barn.
As Daisy entered the cool dining
room Miss Maria was standing 1t the
window With her arms aklmbo, gaz-
ing after Dick.
THAT boy" she aid solemnly, that
boy amt himself. shouldn't be sur
prised II he's driven to do something
desp'rate," aud she looked resentfully
1t Daisy.
you don't eat anything, Daisy"
kindly said Uncle Edward, who never
saw much Of what was going on right
before his eyes. maybe you think
the weather's too warm for hot rolls
and cakes9 Well, take some iced milk
and berries. Why, bless me! What's
tha mater with the child"
Daisy had burst Into tears.
"Please, uncle-aunt-excuse me-"
che said, and hastily left the room.
She did not 20 upstairs, but out Of
doors where ghe could relieve her
heart by sobblng unseen and unheard.
Passing through the garden and the
orchard, she followed the little foot
path which led to q pretty strip Of
woodland, where In a cool ravlne ran
Z narrow but rather deep stream be-
tween messy banks
There had been a little rustic bridge
leading to the hillside beyond, but this
had been lately washed away, after a
heavy rain wasn't that Dick, his
arms folded, with his eyes bent upon
the deep pool which the rocks had
Just here pent In?
A sudden fear seized Daisy. Surely,
surely, Dick could not be thinking Of
drowning himself. She stood still and
breathless, watching him.
Presently he started, as II from q
revery, and with his lips compressed
into a firm look Of resolve, picked up
a coll 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, loklng up into Its
thick foliage as II for convenient
branch to which to attach 1t.
For a moment she felt paralyzed,
but as she saw Dick carefully make
a moose on ona end Of the rope, and
prepare to climb the tree, the spell
was broken. She rushed forward with
a wild shrek and threw her arms
about him.
"Oh Dick-dear Dlck-dOn't do
such a dreadful thing. Don't hang
yourself, Dick-for my sake, don't.
Oh, forgive ME, dear Dick, and I'll
never tense 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
don't care to live"
~Dont talk so dreadfully. Dick! I
I do love YOU
ANSWER me truly, Daisy. DO you
really love me?'
yes" sobbed tn, girl "Indecd I
do, Dick Please throw away that
dreadful rope"
"Not yet, Daisy Do you love me
above everybody else in tia world"
'Yes- oh, yes
"And you will marry me- Daisy"
Eyes, | will, Dick; indeed I wlllw
Dick flung the coil of rope into a |
thlcket Of laur'l on the other side Of
the stream. and drawing Daisy to him,
kissed her solemnly.
Remember you have promised to
be my wife, Daisy"
Yes" sh, answered meekly. And
so. hand In hand, they returned
through the orchard and the garden
to the house.
Uncle Edward was sitting on the
top step Of the porch content dly
smoking his pipe.
"Well Dick" said he, checrfully,
"have you fixed that tree with the
rope all r.ady to pull It down in the
right direction"
mo" answered Dick, quietly. "I'll
attend to It tomorrow"
well. don't forget II, 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
mp into Dicks face.
"Ycn have deceived me-" she said.
Indignantly.
mo, Daisy. I haven't; you deceived
yourself. dear. and I'm very glad Of
Il. I assure you"
"Clad." said Daisy. reproachfully,
and with her face all crimson with