Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-11-07

jealous already, Gilbert!
taunted the girl, flushed and rosy
with the triumphs of her beauty:
and the irresistible instincts of
coquetry. She colored crimson
"Of course, you'll do as you
please, Blanche only warn you.
lit is a choice between Walter Biz.
mingham and me. You dance
with him again at your own risk!'
i At the same instant young Blr,
mingham came up.
"May l have the pleasure of
this polka with you, Miss Penroy?"
And Blanche, defiant and will
full, and a little piqued, answered;
"Yes."
And glided away with her
plump hand on Walter Birming-
hams shoulder. Gilbert had no
business to be so unreasonable
His grave, stern face, rather
startled her as she came once more
to the rustic seat of twisted boughs,
when the string bandmusic was 81
lent, and Mr.. Birmingham had
gone to bring her a glass of iced
lemonade.
"Gildert! why do you look so
cross p
"Because l have reason. | am
sorry you pay SO little attention
to my wishes, Miss Penroy"
She drew herself up haughtily.
"You are beginning to dictate
early sir"
"Have l not the right?'
Nothing of the sort, Mr.. Ever
ing"
"Be it SO, Blanche he said in
voice that. betrayed how deep
the arrow ranked in his bosom.
81 give up the right now and
hencefarward."
Blanch was startled. She would
have said more, but Walter Bir-
mingham was advancing towards
her, and when next she had leis-
ure to look round, Gilbert was
gone from her side.
"What have l done p she
thought, in dismay. ''Fll see him
this evening and coax him into
a good humor once more. He
surely can't be vexed at me for an
idle word like that"
"Ah, little Blanche, is not the
we'll considered sentance that does
all the harm in this world-it 81
the idle word!
"Such a charming day as we
have had, Mrs. Traine." said
Blanche, as she came up the steps
of the hotel piazza, as smiling and
radiant as if the worm, remorse,
was not gnawing at her heart
"That, of course" said the
blooming matiron, who was read
ing in an easy chair under the shad-
ow of the vines. "But what sent
Mr.. .Ereving away in such a hurry?"
"Sent him away ?"
"Yes-by the evening train
He came home, packed his things,
and drove away as if there was
not moment to lose. l am very
sorry; we shall miss him SO much"
Blanche went slowly up stairs
and sat down by the window,
looking out at the purple glow of
the evening landscape as if it
were featureless blank. So he
was really gone away; and by her
own folly she had lost the priceless
treasure of Gilbert Ereving's love.
Sand ! cannot even write to
him, Tor do not know his address
she thought, with clasped hands
and fearless eyes. Well, it is my
own fault, and must abide by the
consequences as best may"
Blanche Penroy went home
from the gay Summer lounging-
place sadder and a wiser woman;
and the November mists' dropping
DER the brick-and-morter wilder
ness of her New York home, and
never seemed half SO dreary to
her as they seemed now!
81 suppose shall be an old
maid," thought Blanche, walking
up and down the fire lit darkness
of her twilight drawing rooms,
with her dimpled hands clasped
behind her waist. 81 never care
for any one now as I cared for
for Gilbert; and I daresay | shall
keep a cat, and grow fond of
green tea, and scandal, and sew