“It is my sister who wants a companion,” he said. “She lives in the South––in Florida. Do you think you would like to go as far away as that?”
“Yes,” said Daisy, mechanically. “I should like to go to the furthest end of the world. It does not matter much where I go!”
How little she knew where fate was drifting her! Rex had not told her his home was in Florida; he meant to tell her that on the morning he was to have met her.
“It will be a long, wearisome journey for you to undertake, 80 still I feel sure you are brave enough to accomplish it in safety.”
“I thank you very much for your confidence in me, sir,” said Daisy, simply.
“Tut, tut, child!” exclaimed the old man, brusquely. “That innocent little face of yours ought to be a passport to any one’s confidence. I don’t think there’s any doubt but what you will get on famously with Maria––that’s my sister Mrs. Glenn––but she’s got three daughters that would put an angel’s temper on edge. They’re my nieces––more’s the pity, for they are regular Tartars. Mrs. Glenn sent for my daughter Alice to come down there; but, Lord bless you, I wouldn’t dare send her! There would be a raging quarrel before twenty-four hours! My Alice has got a temper of her own. But, pshaw! I ought not to frighten you, my dear; they could not help but love you.”
And thus it was Daisy’s fate was unchangeably settled for her.
“There is one thing I would like you to promise me,” she said, timidly, “and that is never to divulge my whereabouts to any one who might come in search of me. I must remain dead to the world forever; I shall never take up the old life again. They must believe me dead.”
Argument and persuasion alike were useless; and, sorely troubled at heart, the apothecary reluctantly consented. Poor little Daisy impulsively caught him by both hands, and gratefully sobbed out her thanks.
The arrangements were soon completed, and before the gray dawn pierced the darkness of the eastern sky poor little Daisy was whirling rapidly away from Elmwood.