Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-23

fashion. Before some Of the most frequent-
ed stores are drawn UP cguipages of the
newest and most costly device, the silken-
coated horses chatting With heat and ,impa-
tiGncc, While their owners languidly eX-
anime the modes which obsequiOus attend
ants Of the stores display before them,
Lower down in the great city, where fash
ion never goes, the working population
pursucs It's accustomed occupations.
Swarthy negroes manipulate large bundles
of WOOL Boards, ladders, and flour bar
rels, strew the sidewalk wildcat the water
side the click of h thousand hammers.
and the cheefy 'ho-yonof the sailor, float
dreamily upon the heavy air.. grfa. ari: y
One, of, the handsomest equlpages on
Broadway, OH this particular afternoons is
that to which young man walks nbriSkly
from store. This young man is q. trifle
bronZed; but, although it is three Years
since we last saw hin, we ltlve no difficult
ty in recognizing Charles Markham. See!
he has beautiful bouquet which he has
just purchased, in his hand, and, as he steps
lightly into the carriage, he looks bright
and gallant as of yOre. He looks strangely
around from his seat, as they rattle by sneY
buildings aud fresh stores, but smiles pleas.
lRntly. as he recognizes some old familiar
landmark. Soon the carriage stops, and
Mafkham, bouquetlin hand, and his heart
beating high with hope, once again rings
at Mr.. EgertQn's door. He is ready to stamp
with impatience because they do not 9pen
the door at once, and Whenit is opened, he
lis equally ready to spring atone bound up
whole flight Of stairs. 1870. 49,.
"Softly, sir, if you please" says the
servant, whose face is new to Markham
and then, in a whisper, "Miss Blanche is
very ill.,"
Alas for the bright hopes which you
have treasured so fondIy these threP, long
weary years, Charles Markham! The per-
severance you have practiced the bright
dreams you, have INDUCED in; the hard
work you have undergone to raise yourself
to position meet to claim Blanche Eyer
tOn-alas for themtail; for she you love
sOywell and truly is sick, nigh unto death.
No wOLder you stagger in the hall, and
clap your hand to your Heated forehead
in. sudden agony, for the golden antcipa-
tions you have indulged in are to come to
naught! '''' .."' ..'' ..
In a room up stairs, from which the
bright sunlight was excluded, lay Blanche
EgeTton. Her beautiful face, pale rs mar
Bile, was Wearily reposing on the pillow.
over which her long brown hair strayed
unkempt and uncared for. Her eyes were
closed; she appeared to be dreaming, for
occasionally smile, beautiful in its flick
ering brightness, pissed over her wan fea-
tures. One little hand, soft and white
whittier than snow'but for the blue veins
which could be seen meandCring under the
transparent skin-lay upon the cOverlet; the
other was placed under her head. Around
the bed wereilier father, whose face was
buried in his hands. and whose whole frame
shook with Unsurpassed emotion, and two
medical gentlemen, who glanced sadly at
their beautiful patient. They said it was
consumption of which she was dying, bat
in reality twas that tmuch-ignOred disease,
a broken heart,
As Charles Markham entered the room
| the perfume of the he had brought
! struggling family with the thick atmos-
phere of the sick room-Mr. Egertnn raised
| his head, but only to return it to his hands
once more, and sob more biu erly. The
youngman advanced to, the bed-side, but
wasiso overcome by the fearful change in
| his betrOthed, that he shrank back, and
covering his face, wept bitterly. Down by
the bedside lie knclt, and took the little
| hand in his own. The mOvement,awakenot
| the delicate sleeper who raised her eyes tC
| his, and once more smifed-this time sc
sweetly that he was sure she secOgnizet
| him. 'n. ..l. soi f.E -
dearest Blanche," said Charles, in q
choking voice, while the big tears rolleC
from his f;lcc-"my own darling Blanche, J
have come back, rich and prosperous, tC
make you my own wife. See, darling,
have brought you some flowers. You uset
to be so fond of thcm.' ..
Again she opened her eyes and smil,
hovered for u moment about her partct
! lips. rr'rE- a.a.. .fI..... .r..... # ..,r
Dearest, y cried her lover, passionately
''you must not die! You will get better
darling, and come with me into the beauti
flll country; you shall gain health ant
strength among the green fields and trees
My own darling Blanche, will you come?'
The impaSsioned words of the youn:
man aroused the dying girl sOfar that 81
pressed the hand helheld hers i'll and faint
ly whispered, Coming, coming g---" bu
a moment after she turned wearily to tn
wall, and her head dropped again on th
| coverlet. "lA .aI
"Blanche,n cried her distracted father, 81
is Mr.. Markham! He has come home t.
make you his wife! You win 60 will
him, On, yes, go with him You have my
consent, dear; youhave my consentm
.' l ---i .s1#.iWu.n r..