St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-28

y
since it could be Of no avail to form a
: previous acquaintance, she preferred
to defer their meeting until the hour
T. Of the ceremony
! She had just written reply Of this
character and sat moodily rejecting
upon its probable effect, on the mild
/ June day when our tale commences
Certainly, if she had allowed the sweet
influences of nature to act upon her
feelings, her reply had been kinder, il
not less cold The air that hoated
through her open window, was freight
ed with warmth, and sunshine, and all
healing halms. The bob.O.link, under
her easement, carollcd his golden song
from the locust tree, laden with bloom:
and every sound and sight about her
spoke of beauty and of love.
4 sound of carriage wheels rapid
ly approaching, and finally stopping
before the high gate which divided
the lawn from the roadside, caused
her to start from her rcvcrie and look
anxiously from the window. A fe-
male figure sprang quickly from the
carriage and ran lightly up the gravel
path. Blanche hesitating but mo-
mcnt, recognized her friend, Clara
Hughes, the dearest companion of her
grlhood, and in moment, with a
glad cry of pleasure, she had bounded
down the staircase, and was embrac-
ing her with the warmcst expressions
of welcome. She gave rapid orders
to her servants concerning the care OF
Miss Hughs carriage and servant, and
then leading her into her own cosy
sitting room, she rejoiced anew over
her unexpected arrival.
"You will stay with me month at
least" she began eagerly ;" your face
will be like sunshine in this great,
desolate house,
"No, Blanche" responded Clara,
81 have only stolen day from friends
at home | must return tomorrow
Tomorrow !" replied Blanche,
with a look of keen disappointment.
"Why do you torment me with such
a visit =? -
"Don't take back all your welcome,
said Clara, with smile. 1t is true
| must return tomorrow, but you arc
going with me. Your year of mourn
ing has expired, and think you have
imprisoned yourself long enough
Another year like this would rob yor
of your beauty too. You are going
back with me to stay until August"
81 cannot go," said Blanche, hen
habitual expression of gloom return
ing. lou forget that August is my
bridal month"
And pretty bride you'll be, with
these pale checks and great, heavy
! eyes" answered Clara, ,,mirthfuIly. IL
should be ashamed to he your brides,
maid. And after all don't have much
faith in this marriage that you make
= yourself SO unhappy about. If yor
, could only see WIN Norwood now
, he is a noble fellow, just suited tC
= yonr peculiar taste---'
y look of impaticncc from Blanche
made Clara pause moment.
But listcn," she continued, "yo,
know we have purchased new sum
mer house on the banks of Lake C
Just twenty miles from here. Jack
j drove me from there this afternoon
and will carry us back tomorrow ii
season for dinner. My good parents
in order to make my first summer IL
the country a merry one, have invitcC
a whole housciull of guests, a grant
company and need only you to fin
ish my enjoyment. There are thu
Camerons, whom you like, the Stuarts
two fine girls with their brother, a
perfect Chesterfield, Norwood, Willie
Cameron's friend, an artist, talented
we'll read"
"And what would it all matter t.
me ?" interrupted Blanche the shad
ow of my boughten husband woulC
t come between me and every pleasan
, companion"
"No, Blanche-he shall not spoi
| your last summer of girlhood-yo,
= shall be the gayest and brightest a
: you used to be. Happy, too, withou
b care for the future Dear Blanche
e come home with me !"
h "I WILL Clara !" suddenly respond
g ed Blanche, with flash of her oil
pride. al will have one month {
l. liberty, of real happiness. We Wi
O go back together
n "Spoken like my own brav
5 Blanche" said Clara, gayly. " Let Il
begin this moment to make you ready.
a ave will obey the sound of the tea
!. bell first-you need refreshment atte
t your long ride"
!. "That is true, and l caught
v glimpse of strawberries as | passe
;, the dining-room."
, The two girls with arms entwinet
r descended the stairs, but their mes
G was a hasty one, so eager were bot
d to arrange Blanches wardrobe an
; in few moments they were up in he
own chamber, busily inspecting th
: various merits of silks, laces and jew
# els.
!. A headache prevented Miss Hue
:. ton from meeting the company in Mr.
J. Hughes parlor until the evening I
d the next day But, at last, Clar;
d having placed the last rose in tt
j. glistcning black hair, and smoothc
;. for the twentieth time the lustrou
is folds of Blanches purple silk, too
is her proudly by the arm and Led he
down to the drawing-rooms. Thong
~ the buzz of conversation ceased for
ID moment, and every eye instlnctlvel
:. was fixed on the beautiful heircs
=. Blanche neither paled or blushed, bl
.. went through the irksome ceremony
i. introduction with calm dignity whiC
II more than one young girl envied he
n An hour later, while she stood co
Il versing with young Stuart,who SCENE
of eager to make her acquaintance,
/, stranger entered the room, and wit
S out noticing her, passed through in
to the music room. Murmurs of " All
is here is Norwood !" Where h;
G. Norwood stayed so long ?" reache
a her ear and informed her of the stra
at gers name.