Year: 1868

Charlie Raymond was engaged 10
bright little beauty, and he we'll knew
that he was envied by many of his friends
when he won Daisy Allen-for she was
the belle of the society in which she
moved, and many heart ached because
she could not return their love.


How often had she caused Charles
heart to ache by her variable moods AT
times he had thought he could almost de-
tect a touching tenderness in her voice
when speaking to him, while again she
had seemed so Indifferent to him, bestow-
ing her smiles upon others, until it almost
drove him frantic with jealousy, and
made him doubt if she ever even gave
him thought; but at last his love was
rewarded, and he considered himself the
happiest of mortals when Daisy consented
to be his bride; and, since their engage
ment, she had been all he could wish
caring only for him, and showing in every
way and to all others that she had given
up all coquetry.


He did not think that he was what
most women would admire, or know that
Daisy often contrasted his tall and splen-
didly proportioned form with those of
some of the effeminate fops that futtcred
around her-that to her his broad 'shoul-
ders, manly and noble bearing, seemed
expressive of protection. and commanded
her respect and admiration. His eyes
we're darker than her own, and more
thoughtful, Earnest while his hair was
dark brown, slightly waivy; and although
he was considered handsome by most all
of the ladies, envied for his height by
gentlemen, he had not the slightest idea
of it--he was entirely free from conceit;
but he had other faults-he was very
r-a"vvi1--.~-'--s
subdued the feeling by her devotion to
him alone. She did not love him less for
it-on the contrary, she reasoned it was
a proof of his love for her. -'-


One day Charlie was summoned away
on business-he was to be gone only
short while; yet he knew be would suffer
from his jealousy of Daisy during his
absence When he was taking leave of
her, thought entered his mind, and he
said:


Daisy, you may think me selfish and
|exacting, but will you promise me not to
accept any invitations to any parties or
places of amusement in my absence, or
to allow the attentions of any gentleman.
I will soon be back, and will write you
daily-only promise me this; it will be
such consolation while away from you" :"


II will, Charlie . she replied. II
promise all you ask. You do not doubt
me p =.


"No; butif you should prove untrue
to your promise, [ would lose all conf
dence in you and never forgive you"
And so, after an affectiouate parting,
they separated.


Daisy missed Charlie very much, and
looked eargerly in each letter for an an
nouncement of his return. He had been
gone nearly two weeks, when one day her
sweet little face dimpled into smiles as
she read that he would be with her in a
few days-the following Thursday.


"Only two more days until ! see him
for this is Tuesday thought Daisy.


But her happiness would have been
still greater had she known that even then
Charlie was making preparations to re.
turn-for his business affairs had taken a
sudden and unexpected turn, so that he
could leave much sooner than he thoug ght


"How anxious he was to see Daisy
and that evening he would surprise her
The train hardly bore him home fas
enough" he thought. ~


When he reached the city he hurried
home. barely taking time to brush th'
dust from his clothes, and not even stop
ping to take any refreshments.


Taking car, he soon reached the ele
giant residence in which Daisy resided
AS he sprang up the steps, his heart bea
rapidly as he pictured her surprise ant
Joy upon seeing him. The front doo
was soon opened by John, the footman
who, upon recognizing Charlie, smiled
and said:


Miss Daisy is not home. She wen
out after tea, and did not leave wore
when she would be back"


s'Not at home p be re-echoed, il