Daisy's Necklace, and What Came of ItAldrich, Thomas Bailey
General
Daisy's Necklace, and What Came of It
Aldrich, Thomas Bailey
Fiction
Mortimer, leaning on the sill of the window, is looking at Daisy, who
stands a little in the background, with that kissable white hand of hers
shading the sun from as dangerous a pair of black eyes as ever looked "no"
when they meant "yes." She is watching a speck of a boat, which is dancing
up and down on the waves like a cork. Mortimer has just brought a telescope
to bear on the distant object, and we, with that lack of good-breeding
which has characterized all romancers from time immemorial, will look over
his shoulder. The delighted occupant of the boat is that audacious fellow,
Tim, who has taken a trip up to Ivyton from the great city, to spend a week
with "Mr. Mortimer." It may be well to say that Tim--Timothy Jones, Esq.,
Mr. Reader--has ceased to have a proclivity for the "machine;" and
now-a-days, the City Hall alarm bell never disturbs his equanimity. Indeed,
he is so metamorphosed by time and a respectable tailor, that the gentle
reader stands in some danger of not recognizing him at all. Hence the
above formal introduction. Just notice the set of those cream-colored
pants, falling without a wrinkle over those mirror-like patent leathers,
and the graceful curve of that Shanghai over the hips! Just notice! And
more than all, that incipient _moustaché_, which only the utmost
perseverance on the part of Tim and _Mr. Phalon_ has coaxed out into
mundane existence!
The writer of this veritable history has a great mind to drown Tim for his
impudence; but as that young gentleman has a good situation in a
Front-street commission-house, he refrains, for a capsize a mile from land
would considerably interfere with Young America's prospects.
IV.
CAPTAIN EDWARD WALTERS sits on the door-step of the old house; and through
a curtain of honeysuckle vines, which he draws aside, is watching the
fawn-like motions of
"A six years loss to Paradise!"
Is it little Bell come back again? It is very like her. Walters thinks so,
as the child runs from flower to flower like a golden-belted bee, and a
mist comes over his fine eyes, and he can scarcely see his grandchild for
tears.
His lips move, and perhaps he is saying: "Little Bell! Little Bell!"
And he thinks of the angel whom he left years ago, playing on the
_partarré_, in front of the gate. He hears her clear, crystal laugh, and
sees her golden ringlets floating among the flowers, and cannot tell if
they be curls or sunshine!
The child in the garden resembles the dead Bell as one white lily does
another. She has the same wavy tresses, shading the same dreamy eyes, with
their longing, languid expression. Her form has the _abandon_ of childhood,
with a certain shadow of dignity that is charming. She is very fragile and
spiritual; and it seems to us as if Heaven, in moulding the child, had
hesitated whether to make her an Angel or a Flower, and so gave her the
better parts of each!
Let us take one more look at her sweet young face--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account