The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-01-14
DAISY
PAID WITH
KISSES
By MILDRED cooDRIDGE

ITO Roscoe Dalton, Of course. Why
you're settling down like a crushed
victim. Father Will break your hear
before he gets through with his self
willed ways. Look here, If you wont
act with some pluck I'll stir up some
thlng" scolded Daisy Newcombe.
ITS thinking of mother that makes
me hesitate" murmured Bertha, and
then she dropped her fair face into
her hands and went on crying.
''They call me Tomboy Daisy" So
liloquized her sister as she left the
room. "Well, III do something that
will make them talk, this time. I'll
begin it by sending telegram I'll
wind 1t up by keeping sour-faced, mean
old Silas Banks away from our house
tomorrow, If l never do another
thlngl"
Impetuous, fiery Daisy ran down
the stairs, pulled on thick leggings
and donned her warmest attire, for 1t
was winter, with snow piled four feet
high along the walks. She flung her
self out Of the house. She was good
deal younger than her sister, in fact,
just fifteen, but she had the soul of
a woman and the nerve Of real hero
me-
Daisy went to the little railroad de-
pot and indited a brief message. 1t
was to Roscoe Dalton, a hundred miles
away, and 1t read: IF you care any
thing for Bertha come quick, or some
one else will get her."
Then Daisy turned her eye and ear
toward the big snow-clad hill rising
up from the village common. She
could see the young crowds with whom
she romped the merriest tobogganing
she could hear their gay shouts. Her
lips set firm, her cheeks flushed, her
bright eyes sparkled with determine
ton, and she thought hard.
"Pll do It'll" she declared. IF Ros-
coe will only come we can beat Silas
Banks yet"
Daisy proceeded to the hill. A dozen
of her girl friends hailed her, but she |
was all business and had only care
less nod for them this time. She pro-
ceeded over to one side of the broad
expanse, where dozen boys were
erecting snow fort. She was enthu-
siastically hailed as the captain gen.
eral of the sport in anticipation, but
she waved back an eager group, ready
to surround and worship the girl IA
vorite of their set.
go back to your work, all of you,'
ordered the imperious little beauty
''all but you, Ronald Grey. You just
step aside with me. I've got some
thing particular to say to you"
Handsome but sensitive Ronald
Dbeyed her, flushing with mingled en-
Darrassment, pride and devotion.
what Is it, DalsyY' he asked, de-
ightedly.
"You like me. Ronald, don't your
Like you l."
"Oh, yes, know-what the boys all
,ay. Well, I'm going to prove II you
10. VIII you do something special for
neY
"Wfll II Daisy" pronounced Ron
Id breathlessly, I'D die for you'll"
"You needn't do that, but you can
vim me as your best friend and sis t
err" I
ave got one of those already" ex-
,lained Ronald miserably. z
Don't be silly, but listen carefully. Il
lou remember Roscoe DaltonY ]
ooh, yes, Daisy" c
"He loves Bertha and she loves him. n
lie went away to make a mark In the v
World and come back and marry her." d
"I'll do that, too" said Ronald, val I
rously, IF you'll only" t
Lets see how far you'll help me t
ust now before we talk nonsense" n
hallenged the little coquette sharply. o
Well, tomorrow is holiday. Old b
Has Banks is coming over to spend c
he day with us. Father Is bound
nat Bertha shall marry him. If he t,
cts here and Roscoe doesn't come to ii
pirit Bertha away, she will become ii
ngaged to the meanest, surliest old r,
User in the county. Now"-whisper. o.
Ronald thrilled at the close contact b
I those delicious lips. Then his
YES frightened as the plot was dis
osed. Finally he laughed and
luckled.
"Oh, you dear smart darling grill" III
e cried In his enthusiasm. you're d
pure a brick 70 and tried to kiss her, NJ
nd Daisy gave him slap In the face W
n his pains. II
"All right" he bobbed gleefully, W
rou're the kind that gets sorry after W
citing mad" LII
I'm not mad" declared the polite al
aisy. Real heroes get their reward al
ter really doing something" In
"We1 do something for you, ha 81
Il Wen carry out your plan to the al
,t-hol holl Daisy, count on the be
ovid. Silas Banks won't spend any
,liday at Brookyille tomorrow"
Silas Baqks lived twenty miles
way on I. lonely old farm, Isolated :,
ID with one route only to Brookvllle. >.
lis eros ssd a rocky, billy stretch, >.
d with the road well choked up with p
ow he set out early with his clumsy ~
bsled and crow-bait steed to reach
e home of his bride expectant. Je