Daisy did not receive many letters except on business, and as these

usually came in the morning she did not think to ask if the postman had

left her anything; and so it was not until her mother had retired and

she was about going to her own room that she saw a letter lying on the

hall-stand. Miss Barker, who had instigated the letter, had never

written to her more than once or twice, and then only short notes, and

she did not recognize the handwriting at once. But she saw it was

postmarked Cuylerville, and a sick, faint sensation crept over her as

she wondered who had sent it, and if it contained news of Guy. It was

long since she had heard of him--not, in fact, since poor Tom's death,

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and she knew nothing of the little girl called for herself, and thus had

no suspicion of the terrible shock awaiting her, when at last she broke

the seal. Miss Barker had written a few explanatory lines, which were as

follows:

"DEAR MISS MCDONALD--Since saying good-by to you last June, and

going off to the mountains and seaside, while you like a good Samaritan

stayed in the hot city to look after 'your people,' I have flitted

hither and thither until at last I floated out to Cuylerville to visit

Mrs. Guy Thornton, who is a friend and former schoolmate of mine.

Here--not in the house, but in town--I have heard a story which

surprised me not a little, and I now better understand that sad look I

have so often seen on your sweet face without at all suspecting the

cause.

"Dear friend, pardon me, won't you, for the liberty I have taken since

knowing your secret? You would, I am sure, if you only knew what a dear,

darling little creature Mr. Thornton's eldest child is. Did you know he

had called her Daisy for you? He has, and with her blue eyes and bright

auburn hair, she might pass for your very own, with the exception of her

nose, which is decidedly retroussé. She is three years old, and the most

precocious little witch you ever saw. What think you of her making up a

bundle of shawls and aprons and christening it Miss McDolly, her name

for you, and talking to it as if it were really the famous and beautiful

woman she fancies it to be? She is your 'sake-name,' she says, and

before I knew the facts of the case, I was greatly amused by her talk to

the bundle of shawls which she reproached for never having sent her

anything. When I asked Julia (that's Mrs. Thornton) who Miss McDolly

was, she merely answered, 'The lady for whom Daisy was named,' and that

was all I knew until the gossips enlightened me, when, without a word to

anyone, I resolved upon a liberty which I thought I could venture to

take with you. I suggested the letter which I inclose and which I wrote

exactly as the words came from the little lady's lips. Neither Mr.

Thornton nor his wife know aught of the letter, nor will they unless you

respond, for the child will keep her own counsel, I am well assured.




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