The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-02
a LOST COUNT.


and as tickle as a March wind-the
brightest, giddieSt girl in our village,
yet withal wise, with strange femi-
nine wisdom. Frolicsome, demure,
gay. serious. full of irony of sympathy.
of raillery, of sentiment-she had
moods as many as 2 humming birds
hues.
Thomas loved her and courted her,
and so did I, and so did every other
young man who dared to hope in the
least for her favor. And she was i'm
partial, almost indiScriminate, with her
smiles As time passed, however, her
choice seemed narrowing, until it ap-
peared that it was between Thomas
and me. He was the more desirable
match, being both gifted and we'll to
do. but something made me hope,
though not without misgivings, that
she preferred me.
I determined to declare my heart
and know my fate. Many times l
sought opportunity to do SO, but she
that 1 could scarcely be sure she did
it purposely. How long she would
have forestalled me cannot guess, but
for chance that drove me to des-
perauon. Passing her home one bright
warm day in May 1 saw Thomas with
her among the flowers. They stood
closely together, and he was speaking
rapidly 1 thought intensely, while
her eyes were downcast. AS I drew
near she saw me, and, leaving Thomas,
ran toward the gate, calling to me:
Come in, Arthur. and see my
flowers! My pansies are the finest you
ever saw!'
Thank you. Daisy. Another time
I'm in hurry this morning. Good
morning, Thomas"
Too bad you can't stop" she per-
sisted Thomas and 1 are having
lovely time
Thomas didn't look it If he was. I
passed on with burning heart, and
when last saw them he was standing
with her at the gate. I decided then
that Il must not lose any further time.
The very next morning I would make
my attempt. Would she receive this
as she had the avowal of Thomas?
The next morning found me with her
in the garden with the flowers. The sur
roundings of bright blossoms and mel
low spring sunshine and azure skies
and lisping leaves was an ideal one for
a declaration of love.
Daisy" said. II have long wanted
to tell you
"Oh, now. Arthur, don'tI Please
don't-there's a good man! Why do
you men always are sentimental in
posy garden?''
Il must tell you, Daisy. 1 love you.
I GU are to me what the sun is to the
flowers. 1 cannot live without YOU
l tried to take her hand, but she skip
ped away and stood on the opposite
side of one of her loved pansy beds
What a grotesque illustration" she
cried "A great strapping six footer
hkens himself to little blossom and
compares small black gypsy of girl
to the great big blond sun! How
ridiculousi"
But, Daisy I urged, whether the
Illustration is a good one or not it's a
fact that my heart and life are yours
and that 1 cannot live without you"
And if I say no you'll be telling some
other girl the same thing in just a little
while; talk about girls and make be-
level
..R,1t x-o,, lxpo1,- chic So 80 ,,,o1-o -
lieve Daisy. knew what Thomas was
saying when I passed yesterday
How Discerning
And as I thought of it yesterday
knew 1 could not live without you. I
knew if you accepted him L could never
be happy another day in my life if
should live a hundred years.
Yet you call him your friend?''
Yes. and a fine man. But I want
you for myself"
Thomas is most as silly as you are |
He talked just the way you are talk
ing row. Really. you are unoriginal. |
1t seems q girl cannot be friendly with |
you men without having to listen to |
such stupid talk
But it is true. How can we help |
loving your"
have nice time with Daisy, and not |
De foolish and sentimental. AS 1 do |
about the boys" she added, archly.
leaped the flower bed and stood |
beside her. She had not taken her /
eyes from my face, and I remembered |
that yesterday when Thomas spoke /
with her her long lashes had con-
cealed her eyes. But as she looked at
me, while there was a sparkle OF
amusement in her dark orbs, there |
was earnestness, to. and though her
words We're inconsequential at best, I
did not despair
The most beautiful picture in my
memory is that of Daisy among the
movers, as she stood that morning
seriously she said, with a gravity
[ had never before heard in her voice,