The Parson O' Dumford Part 83

"Don't touch me," cried Tom, pa.s.sionately, as he shook her off. "I can't bide it, Daisy. I loved you once, but you threw me over for that bit of a b.u.t.terfly of a thing."

"Oh, this is too much, and at such a time," cried Daisy. "Here, Jane, Jane. Let me go by."

"No," said Tom, catching her wrist, as she made for the interior of the house. "You shall not go to join him again. I'll tak' thee home to thy father."

"Not yet, Tom, not yet. I'm not going to him. Here, Jane, Jane, quick.

Where is Mr Richard?" she cried, as the maid came back.

"Dal thee!" cried Tom, as he threw her arm savagely away. "This before me!"

The girl looked at her and shook her head.

"Where is Mrs Glaire or Miss Pelly?"

"Out," said the girl, "at Mr Purley's."

"And Mr Richard?" cried Daisy imploringly. "Quick: it is for his good," while Tom, who heard her words, stood gnawing his lips with jealous rage.

"I don't know," said the girl. "He's gone away."

"Oh, this is dreadful," said Daisy, looking bewildered. "Tom, will you not help me? I have been home, and cannot find father or mother. I come here and I cannot find Mr Richard."

"Howd your tongue, la.s.s, or you'll make me mad," cried Tom. "But Daisy, my bairn, listen," he cried, softening down. "You know I loved you.

Come wi' me, and I'll find you a home somewheers. You shall never see me again, but I shall know that I've saved you from him."

"Tom, where is my father?" cried Daisy, indignantly.

"Listen to me, Daisy, 'fore it is too late," pleaded the young man.

"Let me tak' you away."

"Will you tell me where my poor father is?" cried Daisy again. "If you can't believe in me, I will listen to this shameful talk no more."

"Shameful talk!" said Tom, bitterly.

"Where is my father?"

"Drove mad by his child," cried Tom, speaking now in tones of sorrow.

"Gone by this time wi' a lot more to blow up the wucks."

"I won't believe it yet," cried Daisy. "It can't be true. My dear father would never do the like."

"It's true enew," said Tom, "and I should ha' been theer trying once more to stop him, only I see you, and, like a fool, tried to save thee again."

"Tom," cried Daisy, who was giddy with dread and excitement, "tell me that this is some terrible mistake."

"Yes," he said, bitterly; "and I made it."

"What shall I do?" gasped Daisy. "Oh, at last, Mrs Glaire--Mrs Glaire, what have you done?"

"You here!" cried Mrs Glaire, who now entered with Eve from the doctor's, the latter turning pale, and sinking into a chair.

"Yes, yes," gasped Daisy, sinking on her knees, and clinging to Mrs Glaire's skirts; "I came--I was obliged to come back. My father, my--Oh no, no, no, no!" she sobbed to herself, "I dare not tell them; I must not tell. I--I--I came--"

"Yes," cried Mrs Glaire, angrily; "you came, false, cruel girl. You came back to ruin all our hopes of happiness here--to undo all which I have striven so hard to do."

"But, Mrs Glaire, dear Mrs Glaire, I have tried so hard," sobbed Daisy, grovelling on the floor, but still clinging to Mrs Glaire's dress that she tried to drag away. "You don't know what I've suffered away in that cold, bitter town, wi'out a word from home, wi'out knowing what they thowt o' me, for I kep' my word. I never wrote once, though I was breaking my heart to write."

"But you came back--and now," cried Mrs Glaire.

"Yes, yes, I heard--danger--so horrible, I was obliged," panted the girl.

"You heard that?" said Mrs Glaire.

"Yes, yes," cried Daisy; "and I came to try and save him fro' it."

"Of course," cried Mrs Glaire. "Where is your promise?"

"Aunt, aunt," sobbed Eve, "she is fainting. Pray spare her."

"Spare her!" cried Mrs Glaire. "Why should I? Has she spared us? Go, girl, go; your presence pollutes this place."

"No, no," cried Daisy. "You mistake me--indeed you do, Mrs Glaire. I did not come back for what you think."

"Then why did you come?"

"I cannot--dare not tell you; but where, where is Mr Richard?"

Tom Podmore turned aside, and moved towards the door.

"How dare you ask me," cried Mrs Glaire, "after the promise you made?"

"Don't ask me that," wailed Daisy, struggling to her feet, and wringing her hands wildly. "I can't find father. I must see Mr Richard. Harry said he hadn't left the town. Is he here?"

"No, girl," said Mrs Glaire, turning away, "he is not here."

"Where is he, then? Oh, Mrs Glaire!" cried the girl, "for your own sake tell me. On my knees I beg of you to tell me. It is life and death. I came to save. Miss Eve!" she cried, turning on her knees to her. "You love him; tell me where he is. I know--yes, I know," she cried, eagerly; "he must be at the works."

Eve started and turned away her head, to bury her face in her hands.

"Yes," cried Daisy, excitedly. "He must be there."

She turned hurriedly to go, when Tom Podmore caught at her cloak.

"Stop!" he cried excitedly. "You canno' go theer."

Daisy turned upon him angrily, and tore off her cloak, leaving it in his hands as she dashed off through the dark with the young man in pursuit.

"Undone!" moaned Mrs Glaire. "Undone. Oh, Eve, my poor stricken darling, and after all I have tried!"