Dainty's Cruel Rivals; Or, The Fatal Birthday Read online

  CHAPTER III.

  THE HAPPIEST DAY SHE HAD EVER KNOWN.

  Olive and Ela sighed with relief, hoping something had happened afterall, to keep Dainty at home; but they would have been horrified if theyhad guessed that Ellsworth had not telegraphed his aunt, choosing tosecure a trap at the station, and have a _tete-a-tete_ drive over theroad with winsome Dainty.

  They had started even now, the young man driving a light buggy, withDainty's trunk strapped on securely at the back. They went at aleisurely pace, for which he accounted by saying lightly:

  "I hope you won't mind because we have to travel slowly. The road isrough, and the horse slow--what we call in the country a 'courtinghorse,'" smiling at her with quizzical dark eyes that made Dainty blushlike a rose. "Do not be frightened. I will try to remember that I haveknown you but a day," he added, softly; and they were silent for awhile, while Dainty's eyes drank in the sunset beauty of the mountainscenery.

  "What a glorious view! I never before saw anything so beautiful!" shecried.

  "Would you like to live in West Virginia?" he asked, eagerly.

  "Oh, I don't know!" trembling somehow at his pointed tone, and adding,quickly: "I--I couldn't be happy anywhere without mamma!"

  And yet she knew in her heart that this day of separation from all thatshe had hitherto known had been the most ecstatic of her whole life,filled with thrilling sensations that emanated from the attentions ofthe man by her side.

  "Oh, there are looks and tones that dart An instant sunshine through the heart; As if the very lips and eyes, Predestined to brave all our sighs, And never be forgot again, Sparkled and smiled before us then!"

  Every glance and tone of Love Ellsworth subtly conveyed the impressionthat she was already dear to him, and that but for the fear of alarmingthe shy girl he would have declared his love at once, demanding herheart in return.

  What wonder that the day had flown fast to both, and that the driveseemed all too short when, in the purple haze of twilight, they drove inat the gates of Ellsworth, and saw three ladies sitting on the porchwatching them with what lively dismay the reader can well imagine.

  "I fear you are tired from your tedious journey; but perhaps we can giveyou a novel ride in an airship while you are at Ellsworth. I have aclever neighbor who is inventing one," said Love, as he helped her fromthe buggy and led her up the steps to his aunt, under the fire of threepairs of disapproving eyes.

  "Your niece, Miss Chase, madame," he said, presenting Dainty to heraunt, with a smile that maddened Olive and Ela, it was so tender.

  Mrs. Ellsworth gave her a cordial greeting, saying kindly:

  "I can see that you are not tired from your trip, but I will take you toyour room to freshen up a bit;" and only pausing to present Love toOlive and Ela, she hurried her away, while he began to make himselfagreeable with a secret, comprehensive amusement at the situation.

  Mrs. Ellsworth led her niece up a splendid, wide oaken staircase, andalong a large corridor to a beautiful room, a symphony in blue andwhite, where a maid was already lighting the wax candles in the polishedsilver candelabra on the dressing-table.

  "Sheila will help you to unpack and make your toilet for dinner," shesaid, adding, as an after-thought: "You need not trouble to make anelaborate toilet, as there will be no one but ourselves, but to-morrowwe will have some guests, among them several young men worth yourwhile."

  The tone was significant, as if her step-son did not count at all, andDainty's heart sank as she turned away, leaving her alone with SheilaKelly, the Irish maid.

  "Shure, ye have but twinty minutes, miss, to make yer _twilight_, sobest give me yer kays, and let me unpack whilst ye bathe," she said, inbroadest brogue.

  Dainty had conceived an instant aversion to the coarse-mouthed,sly-looking Irish girl, so she answered, quietly:

  "You may bring me some flowers for my corsage--some of those pink rosesI saw as we drove in--while I unpack the trunk myself."