Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-07-29
The Storp Teller.
Knowing Ones Own Mind.
by MARGARET MEETT.

"Therc can be but one answer, MIR. Stuy-
vesant-I beg that you will not think it ne
cessary to pursue the subject, and the speak
er, Blanche Courtenaye, turned her pretty
head rcsolutely away with rather too studied
disdain upon her features.
"Assuredly not, Miss Courtenaye; it
seems that l have already been too long the
sport of your caprice"
He paused for moment, and resumed
with rcpresscd emotion.
"I had thought, Blanche"
"Thought," interrupted Miss Courtenaye,
"thought, suppose, that Mr.. Frank Stuy-
vesant's irresistible smiles had had their
proper effect, so that he only had to make
known bis wishes to be promptly accepted.
Now this was SO nearly what he thought,
that Mr.. Stuyvesant had nothing to do but
take up his hat and depart, with outward
composure, but extreme inward detection.
Blanche stood for moment where he had
left her, then walked quickly up and down
the room.
"He thought | was to be easily won,
she said, under her breath. 81 am thankful
for the strength of mind which enabled me
to overcome that foolish fascination. Poor
Frank! he loves me, believe, but he has
not the intense and concentrated nature
which must win my love He wanted me
to think it over, he said, as il / did not
know what was dong-fancy not know
ing ones own mind.' aud her color rose at
the bare idea of such imbecility.
She stopped before the mantle, unlocked
tiny gilded caskct which stood there, and
took from il little faded lunch of violets.
She gazed long and thoughtlully ON them,
then tossing them abruptly upon the burn
ing Goals, left the room.
Truth compels me to state that Miss
Courtcnaye was much spoiled, but not, by
any MEANS as cross and unreasonable
always as we have seen her to-day. The
only daughter of wealthy parents, with not
wish ungratifed, she was disposed to un-
derrate those very satisfactory possessions,
and imagined that perfect happiness resided
only in q dminutive house, kept, however,
with that Exquisite taste and simplicity
which we all know is so easily attained
even with the most limited income. Blanche
wished for, of course, the necessary accom-
psniment of hero, poor. proud, but OF an
"intense and concentrated nature"
Poor Frank, unfortunately, had none oi
these desirable cndowments, as his misfor-
tune was to be rich, and of an unusually
bright and happy temperament, not in the
least resembling the sombrc indindua
whom alone Blanche considered worthy O.
young girls fancy. :,
"Mr. Stuyvesant paid a long call, sale
Mrs. Courtenaye, as her daughter took hei
seat at the lunchcon-tablc.
Yes" replied Blanche, shortly
g What a universal favor,c he seems te
be-" continued her mother; $50 different
from that uninteresting Goddard.
Mr.. Goddard was a man after Blanche
own heart, melancholy and romantic enough
to please any young lady who had seen
Booth play Hamlet.
"Mr. Goddard is man of decision and
character, while Frank SIuyvesant thinks o.
nothing but his ties and his curls, repliee
Blanche.
It was rather an effort Ia abuse Frank
and ungrateful, 10 say the least.
Mrs. Courtenayc glanced curiously at hel
daughter, but said no more and Blanche
went off to prepare for her usual long after
noon walk.
Mr.. Stuyvesant and Miss Courtenaye were
no recent acquaintances. They had me
during the autumn, at one of those fascina
ting country houses, which are such well
known snarcs to unsuspccting youths ant
maidens; that careless mingling of light
hearted idlers, the informal breakfast, fol
lowed by lounging morning. All th'
walks, rides, and drives, which fill up th'
hours, possess fatal allurcments.
These country amusemcnts had not FAILED
to work their charm upon our two youni
people. Among the groups scattered owe
the lawn, lazily enjoying the midday autum
nal sunshine, you would be sure to see tw'
yery much absorbed individuals under SOM
spreading evergreen, or frost-touchod pop
lar. Blanche Invariably crowned with scar
10, monle.loavcs. or deoked with fantasti
rar,onds the snoil Of the mornings ramble
o. 10 a modcon riding. marty scamperin
s, ,ho ,;I,s and dolcs ,hc Two horse
It'll, horrdod .hreast horc the same ioy
ors n.;r
month If this unres,raincd intercours
,.a n.ssod whom Miss Courtenave returne
~ hnr ci,v home and Frank to the dcligh,
If Wall street An things v ould probably
horo conc on smoothly and successful
,han lad no, lin evil genius Of lovers ster
nod IN taking the form of Banchc's MANN,
and sundry well-meaning aunts.
These anxious relatives met her with
sor;os of smiles and mods. and hints, to Ii
eaaet that dear Blanche was really going /
make sensible choice at last Not one
those Tcnnysonic, Byronic, good-for- -naugl
sort of men, for whom she had an unfortul
ate prediction, but good, duliful SON