Poor Daisy! if she had only confided in Eve––reckless, impulsive, 117 warm-hearted, sympathetic Eve––it might have been better for her. “No matter what you might hear of me in the future, no matter what fate might tempt me to do, promise me, Eve, that you, of all the world, will believe in me, you will not lose your faith in me.” The sweet voice sounded hollow and unnatural. “There are dark, pitiful secrets in many lives,” she said, “that drive one to the very verge of madness in their woe. If you love me, pray for me, Eve. My feet are on the edge of a terrible precipice.”
In after years Eve never forgot the haunted look of despair that crossed the fair face of Daisy Brooks, as the words broke from her lips in a piteous cry.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The announcement of Mrs. Lyon’s sudden and unexpected death caused great excitement and consternation the next morning at Glengrove.
“Oh, dear!” cried Gertie, “how provokingly unfortunate for her to die just now! Why couldn’t she have waited until after our birthday party? Of course Rex wouldn’t be expected to come now; and this whole matter was arranged especially for him; and my beautiful lilac silk is all made, and so bewitchingly lovely, too!”
“What can’t be cured must be endured, you know,” said Bess; “and now the best thing to be done is to send a note of condolence to him, extending our deepest sympathy, and offering him any assistance in our power; and be sure to add: ‘We would be very pleased to have Birdie come over here until you can make other arrangements for her.’”
“Have Birdie here!” flashed Gertie, angrily. “I actually think you have gone crazy!”
“Well, there is certainly a method in my madness,” remarked Bess. “Aren’t you quick-witted enough to understand that would be a sure way of bringing Rex over here every day?––he would come to see his sister––and that is quite a point gained.”