The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-01-15

ANUAkY, 10 1907
was to graduate at commencemen
Hour after hour wore away sgreea.
bly,, till at last the clock struck I've,
and Blanche started in dismay.
She was two miles from home,
and had no time to lose. Her new
acquaintancees urged her to remain
and they would send word 10 her
aunt where she was; but the girl
understood her position better than
to comply with such . request, how
ever kind in itself.
Promising to return the borrowed
garments in . few days. she express.
ed many thanks for Miss Clara S
kindness, and took her leave. As
she stepped into the front verandab,
to her surprise . carriage was in
waiting. The brother handed her
in and ordered the driver to Mrs.
Wilbur's.
They were soon in sight Of the
grounds Of her aunt's mansion, but
Blanche urged the propriety Of
walking the last quarter Of . mile
unattended. This arrangement was
readily consented to aud thanking
the gentleman for bis politeness.
the tired girl walked up the back
lane, entered the kitchen door, and
rushed up stairs before any body
had time to notice her. Hurriedly
arraying herself in one of her own
dresses, she walked down the front
stairs and met her aunt at the tea
table. They took their repast,
silently. As the allusion to Clar-
ence Gray in the morning had caus-
ed Blanche to rush from the house
and remain absent during the day,
her Aunt thought best not to speak
of him.
The next morning their breakfast
passed a. silently as their tea the
night previous; the determined girl,
half pouting, half sad, slipping her
tea and twirling her tea spoon.
As soon as the cloth was removed
Blanche took her botany and
wandered in the direction of the
mansion she had discovered the day
previous, though she firmly resolved
not to gs near it. Some wild flow
ers were gathered, and she seated
herself on 4. log, to sepcrate the
petals Of the calyx and the petals Of
the carolla. The stamens were
counted and Blanche had given the
plant its locality in accordance with
Linnaeus, and Was about deciding
upon Natural Order and Genus, &C.
cording to Jussieu, when she heard
footsteps. Looking up, there stood
Charles Clifford, the gentleman
whose acquaintance she had formed
the previous day. I'LL.
He had started to 60 over to Mrs.
Wilbur's to call upon her, but 6nd-
ing her on the way analysing flowers,
concluded not to 90 any farther
From Mr.. Clifford's polite request,
there was an arrangement for them
to review their botanic lessons for
IN hour each day, in the shade Of
. maple tree that stood near them.
The young college student was in
love and Blanche was not less faci-
mated. '1~
Three weeks elapsed and the
young people were engaged, though
each resolved upon winning aunt
Rachel's consent to their union if
possible. #a'. ..t f."r
my sister will call upon you to-
morrow, Miss Merton-she wonders
every day why you do not some
over. You may expect her without
fail, SO be on your guard, and look
beautiful, just as you do now.
Blanche blushed and looked down
feeling indescribsbly happy, till the
though. came rushing over her that
her aunt would never consent to
her marrying any one but young
Gray, = young gentleman whom she
had never seen, and of course car
ed nothing for. =
Il there anything equal to being
compelled to drag out . lifetime
with one We cannot love, while
those most dear to ~ are unfortu-
nstely tied to some one else :?
Blanche grew giddy with her
thoughts, and for moment rseled.
then hurrying to her own room,
closed the door, sank upon her
couch and bathed her pillow in
tears.
The next morning, - she entered
the breakfast room, the very first
words that greeted her, were /:
blanche, Blanche, you must
have your new morie antique made
made up Immediately. Mr.. Gray
has come home and will dine with
Us in ; few days. I have just re-
oeived . note from him saying that
we may expect him soon.
For q moment tho color rushed
into her face, then faded as it came.
till she was colorless. Tho poor
girl now realized that her aunt
would never consent to her marry
ing Charles Clifford, intelligent and
fascinating IS be truly was, and
the heir Of rs large : property 81
Clarence Gray could have. How
dark the world looked to her-life