The Argosy — page 343: what you’re looking at

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322 A Guide from Dreamland. Daisy,” said Mrs. Crawford, for that was the lady-artist’s name. ‘So you shall stay here for to-night. It is too late to go home now, and we will find a nice little bed for you somewhere. ‘To-morrow we will see what is to be done. Eh, Mildred?” “Ves, dear, that is night,” said Miss Stokes, the younger lady; ‘‘the lassie is sure to be tired.” And so, to Daisy’s wonder and delight, she was consigned to the care of Mrs. Martin, the housekeeper, and soon found herself lying in a cosy bed with soft, downy pillows, and her last recollection was of Mrs. Crawford’s sweet face bending over her, bidding her good-night. And her dreams were rose-coloured. Mildred.” “Well, Eva?” Mrs. Crawford was sitting in an arm-chair and her sister was facing her. They had been talking about the little girl they had just put to bed, and Mrs. Crawford’s face bore a thoughtful expression, as if an idea had just struck her. ‘Well, Eva?” ‘T have been thinking, Mildred, of what a lonely life you and I lead. Since my husband died, you know, I have often spoken of adopting some pretty, gentle little girl Well, Daisy is pretty and gentle, isn’t she P” | ‘‘Ves,” replied. Miss Stokes, smiling. ‘I guessed what was in your head, Eva, ever since I noticed that thoughtful look in your eyes.” ‘Do you approve the idea, then ?” ‘Why, yes, with all my heart, if the uncle consents. I am rarely deceived in my first judgment of a character, and I believe Daisy to be a really good, lovable child.” ‘And it seems as if Providence sent her to us; don’t you think s0P” ‘Yes it is strange. But strange things do happen, and one is tempted to believe in dreams sometimes.” ‘Well, we must speak to her relations ; and if they are willing, and her own heart says Yes, why she shall stay and be our little girl.” So the next day the Grays, who had not known what to think of Daisy’s absence, were rather astonished when they saw two such srand ladies enter, holding Daisy by the hand. Mrs. Crawford briefly related the events of the preceding evening, and explained the object of her visit. John Gray, who was quite sober for once, and thought of his promise to his dying sister, hummed and hawed a good deal at first ; and Mrs. Gray vehemently opposed the scheme, saying the child was useful to them; but at last Mrs. Crawford succeeded in convincing them that it would be for the best; and so they finally consented, and signed a paper which Mrs. Crawford had had ready for use. After the ladies and Daisy had left, Gray and his wife were Gomichbooks.co m