Not a muscle of Pluma Hurlhurst's face quivered, but the woman uttered
a low cry, shrinking close to her side.
"Save me, Pluma!" she gasped. "I did it for your sake!"
Basil Hurlhurst slowly put back the curtain, and stepped into the
room, clasping his long-lost daughter to his breast. Daisy's arms were
clinging round his neck, and her golden head rested on his shoulder.
She was sobbing hysterically, John Brooks, deeply affected, following
after.
Like a stag at bay, the woman's courage seemed to return to her, as
she stood face to face after all those years with the husband whom she
had so cruelly deceived--and the proud-faced man who stood beside
him--whose life she had blighted with the keenest and most cruel blow
of all.
Basil Hurlhurst was the first to break the ominous silence.
"It is unnecessary to tell you we have heard all," he said, slowly. "I
shall not seek redress for your double crime. Leave this locality at
once, or I may repent the leniency of my decision. I hold you
guiltless, Pluma," he added, gently. "You are not my child, yet I have
not been wanting in kindness toward you. I shall make every provision
for your future comfort with your father," he said, indicating John
Brooks, who stood pale and trembling at his side.
"Pluma, my child," cried John Brooks, brokenly, extending his arms.
But the scornful laugh that fell from her lips froze the blood in his
veins.
"Your child!" she shrieked, mockingly; "do not dare call me that
again. What care I for your cotton fields, or for Whitestone Hall?"
she cried, proudly, drawing herself up to her full height. "You have
always hated me, Basil Hurlhurst," she cried, turning haughtily toward
him. "This is your triumph! Within the next hour I shall be Rex Lyon's
wife."
She repeated the words with a clear, ringing laugh, her flaming eyes
fairly scorching poor little Daisy's pale, frightened face.
"Do you hear me, Daisy Brooks!" she screamed. "You loved Rex Lyon, and
I have won him from you. You can queen it over Whitestone Hall, but I
shall not care. I shall be queen of Rex's heart and home! Mine is a
glorious revenge!"
She stopped short for want of breath, and Basil Hurlhurst interrupted
her.
"I have to inform you you are quite mistaken there," he replied,
calmly. "Mr. Rexford Lyon will not marry you to-night, for he is
already married to my little daughter Daisy." He produced the
certificate as he spoke, laying it on the table. "Rex thought her
dead," he continued, simply. "I have sent for him to break the
startling news of Daisy's presence, and I expect him here every
moment."
"Pluma," cried Daisy, unclasping her arms from her father's neck, and
swiftly crossing over to where her rival stood, beautifully, proudly
defiant, "forgive me for the pain I have caused you unknowingly. I did
not dream I was--an--an--heiress--or that Mr. Hurlhurst was my father.
I don't want you to go away, Pluma, from the luxury that has been
yours; stay and be my sister--share my home."
"My little tender-hearted angel!" cried Basil Hurlhurst, moved to
tears.
John Brooks hid his face in his hands.
For a single instant the eyes of these two girls met--whose lives had
crossed each other so strangely--Daisy's blue eyes soft, tender and
appealing, Pluma's hard, flashing, bitter and scornful.
She drew herself up to her full height.
"Remain in your house?" she cried, haughtily, trembling with rage.
"You mistake me, girl: do you think I could see you enjoying the home
that I have believed to be mine--see the man I love better than life
itself lavish caresses upon you--kiss your lips--and bear it calmly?
Live the life of a pauper when I have been led to believe I was an
heiress! Better had I never known wealth than be cast from luxury into
the slums of poverty," she wailed out, sharply. "I shall not touch a
dollar of your money, Basil Hurlhurst. I despise you too much. I have
lived with the trappings of wealth around me--the petted child of
luxury--all in vain--all in vain."
Basil Hurlhurst was struck with the terrible grandeur of the picture
she made, standing there in her magnificent, scornful pride--a wealth
of jewels flashing on her throat and breast and twined in the long,
sweeping hair that had become loosened and swept in a dark, shining
mass to her slender waist, her flashing eyes far outshining the jewels
upon which the softened gas-light streamed. Not one gleam of remorse
softened her stony face in its cruel, wicked beauty. Her jeweled hand
suddenly crept to the pocket of her dress where she had placed the
vial.
"Open that door!" she commanded.
The key fell from her mother's nerveless grasp. The detective quietly
picked it up, placed it in the lock, and opened the door. And just at
that instant, Rex Lyon, with the letter in his hand, reached it.
Pluma saw him first.
"Rex!" she cried, in a low, hoarse voice, staggering toward him; but
he recoiled from her, and she saw Stanwick's letter in his hands; and
she knew in an instant all her treachery was revealed; and without
another word--pale as death--but with head proudly erect, she swept
with the dignity of a princess from the scene of her bitter defeat,
closely followed by her cowering mother.
Rex did not seek to detain her; his eyes had suddenly fallen upon the
golden-haired little figure kneeling by Basil Hurlhurst's chair.
He reached her side at a single bound.
"Oh, Daisy, my darling, my darling!" he cried, snatching her in his
arms, and straining her to his breast, as he murmured passionate,
endearing words over her.
Suddenly he turned to Mr. Hurlhurst.
"I must explain--"
"That is quite unnecessary, Rex, my boy," said Mr. Tudor, stepping
forward with tears in his eyes; "Mr. Hurlhurst knows all."
It never occurred to handsome, impulsive Rex to question what Daisy
was doing there. He only knew Heaven had restored him his beautiful,
idolized child-bride.
"You will forgive my harshness, won't you, love?" he pleaded. "I will
devote my whole life to blot out the past. Can you learn to love me,
sweetheart, and forget the cloud that drifted between us?"
A rosy flush suffused the beautiful flower-like face, as Daisy shyly
lifted her radiantly love-lighted blue eyes to his face with a coy
glance that fairly took his breath away for rapturous ecstasy.
Daisy's golden head nestled closer on his breast, and two little soft,
white arms, whose touch thrilled him through and through, stole round
his neck--that was all the answer she made him.
John Brooks had quietly withdrawn from the room; and while Basil
Hurlhurst with a proudly glowing face went down among the waiting and
expectant guests to unfold to them the marvelous story, and explain
why the marriage could not take place, the detective briefly
acquainted Rex with the wonderful story.
"I sought and won you when you were simple little Daisy Brooks, and
now that you are a wealthy heiress in your own right, you must not
love me less."
Daisy glanced up into her handsome young husband's face as she
whispered, softly:
"Nothing can ever change my love, Rex, unless it is to love you more
and more."
And for answer Rex clasped the little fairy still closer in his arms,
kissing the rosy mouth over and over again, as he laughingly replied
he was more fortunate than most fellows, being lover and husband all
in one.
The announcement created an intense _furor_ among the fluttering
maidens down in the spacious parlors. Nobody regretted Pluma's
downfall, although Basil Hurlhurst carefully kept that part of the
narrative back.
"Oh, it is just like a romance," cried Eve Glenn, rapturously; "but
still we must not be disappointed, girls; we must have a wedding all
the same. Rex and Daisy must be married over again."
Every one was on the tiptoe of expectancy to see the beautiful little
heroine of a double romance.
Eve Glenn, followed by Birdie, found her out at once in the study.
"Oh, you darling!" cried Eve, laughing and crying in one breath, as
she hugged and kissed Daisy rapturously; "and just to think you were
married all the time, and to Rex, too; above all other fellows in the
world, he was just the one I had picked out for you."
Rex was loath to let Daisy leave him even for a moment. Eve was firm.
"I shall take her to my room and convert her in no time at all into a
veritable Cinderella."
"She is the pretty young girl that carried me from the stone wall, and
I have loved her so much ever since, even if I couldn't remember her
name," cried Birdie, clapping her hands in the greatest glee.
In the din of the excitement, Pluma Hurlhurst shook the dust of
Whitestone Hall forever from her feet, muttering maledictions at the
happy occupants. She had taken good care to secure all the valuables
that she could lay her hands on, which were quite a fortune in
themselves, securing her from want for life. She was never heard from
more.
* * * * *
Eve Glenn took Daisy to her own room, and there the wonderful
transformation began. She dressed Daisy in her own white satin dress,
and twined deep crimson passion-roses in the golden curls, clapping
her hands--at Daisy's wondrous beauty--kissing her, and petting her by
turns.
"There never was such a little fairy of a bride!" she cried,
exultantly leading Daisy to the mirror. "True, you haven't any
diamonds, and I haven't any to loan you; but who would miss such
trifles, gazing at such a bewitching, blushing face and eyes bright as
stars? Oh, won't every one envy Rex, though!"
"Please don't, Eve," cried Daisy. "I'm so happy, and you are trying to
make me vain."
A few moments later there was a great hush in the vast parlors below,
as Daisy entered the room, leaning tremblingly on Rex's arm, who
looked as happy as a king, and Basil Hurlhurst, looking fully ten
years younger than was his wont, walking proudly beside his long-lost
daughter.
The storm had died away, and the moon broke through the dark clouds,
lighting the earth with a silvery radiance, as Rex and Daisy took
their places before the altar, where the ceremony which made them man
and wife was for the second time performed.
Heaven's light never fell on two such supremely happy mortals as were
Rex and his bonny blushing bride.
Outside of Whitestone Hall a motley throng was gathering with the
rapidity of lightning--the story had gone from lip to lip--the
wonderful story of the long-lost heiress and the double romance.
Cheer after cheer rent the air, and telegraph wires were busy with the
startling revelations.
The throng around the Hall pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the
pretty little bride. Young girls laughed and cried for very joy.
Mothers, fathers, and sweethearts fervently cried: "God bless her!"
All night long the bells rang from the church belfries, bonfires were
lighted on all the surrounding hills. A telegram was sent to a
Baltimore marble firm countermanding a certain order.
All night long the young people danced to the chime of merry music,
and all night long the joy-bells pealed from the turrets of Whitestone
Hall, and they seemed to echo the chorus of the people. "God bless
sweet little Daisy Lyon, the long-lost heiress of Whitestone Hall!"
THE END
LAURA JEAN LIBBEY'S BOOKS
BOUND IN CLOTH.
If you like to read fascinating love stories we are sure you will want
to read this popular author's writings, and call your special attention
to the following list of her best books.
THE ALPHABET OF LOVE.--A thrilling romance portraying the strange
adventures of a beautiful young girl.
A BEAUTIFUL COQUETTE.--Sought by many but finally won by a strong,
masterful love.
THE CRIME OF HALLOW E'EN.--Surrounded with the mysticism of that
occasion, relating the adventures of the Heiress of Graystone Hall.
DAISY BROOKS.--The story of a perilous love.
DAISY GORDON'S FOLLY.--The world lost for love's sake. Concealment of
her love affairs wrought great havoc.
DORA MILLER.--"There's nothing half so sweet in life as love's young
dream."
FLIRTATIONS OF A BEAUTY.--A fascinating story of a lovely belle's summer
romance at Newport.
A FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE.--And what followed a mother's statement to her
daughter's lover: "I would rather see my daughter dead than give her to
you."
GILBERTA THE BEAUTY.--A romance of a girls' fashionable boarding-school.
HE LOVED, BUT WAS LURED AWAY.--In love and war the _occasion_ is
everything, but when true love enters the heart it conquers.
JUNIE'S LOVE TEST.--Sorely tried and deceived by circumstances, even to
the extent of divorce proceedings, intense and whole-hearted love is
finally rewarded.
LITTLE LEAFY.--The cloakmaker's beautiful daughter. A romantic story of
a lovely working girl in the City of New York.
LITTLE ROSEBUD'S LOVERS.--A South Carolina story of a cruel revenge.
The above books contain 200 to 300 pages each, printed on best grade
antique wove book paper, with beautiful lithograph inlay in 10 colors,
and will be sent by mail, postpaid, upon receipt of price 50 cents, or
any 3 books for $1.00. Ask your dealer for them, or send your order
direct to us.
J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
57 Rose Street, New York.
LAURA JEAN LIBBEY'S BOOKS
BOUND IN CLOTH
If you like to read fascinating love stories we are sure you will want
to read this popular author's writings, and call your special attention
to the following list of her best books.
LITTLE ROMP EDDA.--A story of the great World's Fair at Chicago, and
what befell a mischievous maid.
LYNDALL'S TEMPTATION; Or, Blinded by Love.--A story of fashionable
life at Lenox. To Love and Be Loved is the Grand Dream of Life.--The
Hand of Fate.--What Might Have Been.--I Must Forget You, Dear.--The
Tragedy.--Who is Guilty? Do You Regret the Past?
A MASTER WORKMAN'S OATH; Or, Coralie the Unfortunate.--A love story
portraying the life, romance and strange fate of a beautiful New York
working girl. Love at First Sight.--A Marriage In Haste.--To Learn to
Forget Will Be Bitter.--The Abduction.--Fate Marks Her Destiny.--The
Rival Lovers.
MISS MIDDLETON'S LOVER; Or, Parted on Her Bridal Tour. A story of
London. The Banker's Niece.--It Would Have Been Better Had She
Died.--A Convict's Bride.--Fate Settles the Matter.--The Serpent
Enters the Garden of Eden.--The Price of My Lady's Secret.--A Great
Temptation.--I Would Not Forgive Her.--Without Love the World is a
Desert.
PRETTY FREDA'S LOVERS; Or, Married by Mistake.--A thrilling romance of
a beautiful young school girl. The Spoiled Darling.--Mad Folly.--My
Promised Bride.--Freda's Fate.--The Quarrel.--The Smoke of
Scandal.--The Elopement.--Forgotten.--Humbled.--Freda's Test and
Flight.--Learned to Love Me at Last.
WHEN HIS LOVE GREW COLD.--A love story full of trials and struggles of
lover and loved one.
WILLFUL GAYNELL.--A romantic story of the life and love of a lovely
working girl. A Rescue.--The Grand Ball.--The Duel.--The Heiress.--An
Abduction.--Defiance.--A Thrilling Adventure.--Vengeance.--Temptation.--
Gay Decides Her Fate.--The Rivals Meet.--Would You Break Our Betrothal?--
Gay Found at Last.
The above books contain 200 to 300 pages each, printed on best grade
antique wove book paper, with beautiful lithograph inlay in 10 colors,
and will be sent by mail, postpaid, upon receipt of price 50 cents, or
any 3 books for $1.00. Ask your dealer for them, or send your order
direct to us.
J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
57 Rose Street, New York.
THE BIG NOISE! THE LOUD SCREAM! THE TALL HOLLER!
You Will Laugh, You Will Yell, You Will Scream at
THE BLUNDERS OF A BASHFUL MAN,
The World's Champion Funny Book.
READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!
It eradicates wrinkles, banishes care, and by its laughter-compelling
mirth and irresistible humor rejuvenates the whole body. Whether you
are a bashful man or not, you should read
THE BLUNDERS OF A BASHFUL MAN.
In this screamingly funny volume the reader follows with rapt
attention and hilarious delight, the mishaps, mortifications,
confusions, and agonizing mental and physical distresses of a
self-conscious, hypersensitive, appallingly bashful young man, in a
succession of astounding accidents, and ludicrous predicaments, that
convulse the reader with cyclonic laughter, causing him to hold both
sides for fear of exploding from an excess of uproarious merriment.
All records beaten as a fun-maker, rib-tickler, and laugh-provoker.
This marvellous volume of merriment proves melancholy an impostor, and
grim care a joke. With joyous gales of mirth it dissipates gloom and
banishes trouble.
YOU WANT IT! YOU CANNOT DO WITHOUT IT!
Better Than Drugs! Better Than Vaudeville!
A WHOLE CIRCUS IN ITSELF!
The Time, the Place, the Opportunity is Here!
BUY IT NOW!
THE BLUNDERS OF A BASHFUL MAN contains 170 solid pages of reading
matter, illustrated, is bound in heavy lithographed paper covers, and
will be sent by mail, postpaid, to any address on receipt of price, 25
cents. Address orders to
J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
P.O. Box 767. 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK.
THE MODEL LETTER WRITER.
A comprehensive and complete guide and assistant for those who wish to
become perfect correspondents. This book contains Sample Letters of
Compliment, Inquiry, and Congratulation; Letters of Recommendation,
Letters of Business, Advice and Excuse, and gives Rules for
Punctuation, Postscripts, and Styles of Addressing, etc.
It also contains love letters, giving the correspondence between a
young man and a young lady, on love, courtship and marriage, and
should prove indispensable to all young people.
You cannot afford to be without this book, as you do not know at what
time you may have to write a particularly important letter. If you
have a book of this kind on hand to consult, it may be the means of
bringing to a successful end matters of great moment, and upon which
may depend your entire future happiness, well-being, and success in
life.
The book contains 128 pages, is bound in paper covers with handsome
illustration in two colors, and will be sent by mail, postpaid, to any
address upon receipt of 25 cents in U.S. stamps or postal money order.
Address all orders to
J.S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
P.O. Box 767. 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK.
LAUGH! YELL! SCREAM!
Read It! Read It! Read It!
A BAD BOY'S DIARY
By "LITTLE GEORGIE,"
The Laughing Cyclone.
THE FUNNIEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN!
In this matchless volume of irresistible, rib-tickling fun, the Bad
Boy, an incarnate but lovable imp of mischief, records his daily
exploits, experiences, pranks and adventures, through all of which you
follow him with an absorbing interest that never flags, stopping only
when convulsions of laughter and aching sides force the mirth-swept
body to take an involuntary respite from a feast of fun, stupendous
and overwhelming.
In the pages of this excruciatingly funny narrative can be found the
elixir of youth for all man and womankind. The magic of its pages
compel the old to become young, the care-worn gay, and carking trouble
hides its gloomy head and flies away on the blithesome wings of
uncontrollable laughter.
IT MAKES YOU A BOY AGAIN!
IT MAKES LIFE WORTH WHILE!
For old or young it is a tonic and sure cure for the blues. The BAD
BOY'S DIARY is making the whole world scream with laughter. Get in
line and laugh too. BUY IT TO-DAY! It contains 276 solid pages of
reading matter, illustrated, is bound in lithographed paper covers,
and will be sent by mail, postpaid, to any address on receipt of
price, 25 cents. Address all orders to
J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
P.O. Box 767. 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK.
THE HOUSEWIFE'S TREASURE!
THE HOME-KEEPER'S DELIGHT!
PEERLESS! UNEQUALLED!
THE EVERYDAY COOK BOOK
saves money, saves labor. Makes cooking pleasurable, easy and
delightful. Without previous experience or instruction, by the aid of
this magic volume, the busy housewife can quickly learn to make
hundreds of savory, appetizing, nourishing dishes, plain or fancy,
dainty or substantial.
Easy! Practical! Economical! Concise!
THE EVERYDAY COOK BOOK
is the Aladdin's lamp that converts the kitchen into fairy land, and
the stove, oven and range into magic producers of appetizing and
delicious edibles.
TWO THOUSAND FAVORITE RECIPES
for cooking every known variety of food. Dishes that tickle the
palate, satisfy the appetite, aid digestion, promote health and
prolong life. The magic portal to a world of toothsome delights.
IT TELLS YOU HOW! IT SHOWS YOU HOW!
Makes Poor Cooks Good Cooks!
Converts Drudgery into Pleasure, Toil into Delight!
It Tells You What to Eat! When to Eat! How to Eat!
What to Buy! When to Buy! How to Buy!
Every recipe has been thoroughly tried and tested, and pronounced by
numerous housewives to be _par excellence_, not only as to pleasant
results, but also in regard to the _small cost_ involved. Also
contains scores of immensely valuable household hints and information
on every subject of interest to the cook, housewife and home-keeper.
A Cook Book and Home Encyclopedia All in One!
Invaluable for the Kitchen! Unequalled for the Home!
You Want it! You Cannot do Without It! Buy It Now!
The book contains 200 pages, size 7x5 inches, is bound in heavy paper
cover, and will be sent by mail, postpaid, upon receipt of only 25
cents in stamps or silver.
J.S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
P.O. Box 767. 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK
TWO HUNDRED OLD-TIME SONGS.
This volume contains the _words and music_ of choicest gems of
the old and familiar songs we used to sing when we were young. It has
been arranged with great care and we have no hesitation in saying that
it is the best book of the kind published. Read the following
Partial Table of Contents. The book contains 130 songs besides
the ones mentioned here and would cost $50 in sheet music form.
Annie Laurie.
Auld Lang Syne.
Angel's Whisper, The.
Black Eyed Susan.
Billy Boy.
Baby Mine.
Bell Brandon.
Bonnie Dundee.
Ben Bolt.
Bingen on the Rhine.
Comrades.
Comin' Thro' the Rye.
Caller Herrin'.
Do They Miss Me at Home?
Don't You Go, Tommy.
Flee as a Bird.
In the Gloaming.
John Anderson, My Joe.
Katie's Letter.
Little Annie Rooney.
Larboard Watch.
Life on the Ocean Wave, A.
Low Backed Car, The.
Mollie, Put the Kettle On.
Meet Me by Moonlight.
Nancy Lee.
O, Boys Carry Me 'Long.
Oh! Susannah.
Our Flag is There.
O Had I Wings Like a Dove.
Old Oaken Bucket, The.
O Come, Come Away.
Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.
Rock Me to Sleep, Mother.
Sparkling and Bright.
There was an Old Woman.
'Tis the Last Rose of Summer.
Willie, We Have Missed You.
Wait for the Wagon.
Oh Dear! What Can the Matter be.
Oh Why do you Tease Me.
Oh, Would I Were a Bird.
Oh, Would I Were a Boy Again.
Over the Garden Wall.
Pilgrim Fathers, The.
Pat Malloy.
Pauper's Drive, The.
Paddle Your Own Canoe.
Robin Adair.
Robinson Crusoe.
Rose of Allandale.
Star Spangled Banner, The.
Saint Patrick Was a Gentleman.
See Saw, Margery Daw.
Sing a Song of Sixpence.
See, the Conquering Hero Comes.
Stop Dat Knockin'.
Sally in Our Alley.
Scots, What Ha'e Wi' Wallace Bled.
Sword of Bunker Hill, The.
Spider and the Fly, The.
Shells of Ocean.
Steal Away.
Take Back the Heart.
Three Fishers Went Sailing.
Ten Little Niggers.
'Tis the Last Rose of Summer.
Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay.
Thou Art Gone From My Gaze.
There is a Green Hill far Away.
There was a Jolly Miller.
This book of 176 pages containing the above entire list of songs and
many others, _words and music_, will be sent by mail postpaid upon
receipt of price. Paper Cover, 25 cents. Address all orders to
J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING CO., 57 Rose Street, New York.
OLD WITCHES' DREAM BOOK
AND
COMPLETE FORTUNE TELLER.
You dream like everyone else does, but can you interpret them--do you
understand what your dream portends? If you wish to know what it
means, you should buy this book, which contains the full and correct
interpretation of all dreams and their lucky numbers. This book is
also the most complete fortune teller on the market.
We give herewith a partial list of the contents:
Dreams and Their Interpretations.
Palmistry, or Telling Fortunes by the Lines of the Hand.
Fortune Telling by the Grounds in a Tea or Coffee Cup.
How to Read Your Fortune by the White of an Egg.
How to Determine the Lucky and Unlucky Days of any Month in the Year.
How to Ascertain Whether You will Marry Soon.
Fortune Telling by Cards, Including the Italian Method.
The book contains 128 pages, set in new, large, clear type, and will
be sent by mail, postpaid, to any address upon receipt of 25 cents in
U. S. stamps or postal money order. Address all orders to
J.S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
P.O. Box 767. 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK