Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-07-29


fingers refused to pay their due attention;
her embroidery got into snarl her book
was stupid beyond measure; and she could
find no other occupation than that Of listen
ing nervously for the door-bell, which rang,
however, only to admit her father. At last
came sharp pull Blanche looked up
eagerly as the drawing-room door opened,
but it was only her brother Jack who
entered.
"Ho, Blanche !" he cried, patting her
shoulder, "you look pale, little girl. Shall
l take you to drive tomorrow with my
blood-grays!"
"Oh, do, Jack! We will go to Central
Park"
"And call for Lillian Dashwood on the
way" added her brother.
"Violets, Lilian?" cried Blanche, the next
morning, ,suspiciously stopping to bend over
q Sevres dish as she followed her brother
through the parlor of her cousins house.
Her pretty cousin greeted Jack first
Blanche was sure it was to avoid answering
her.
During the drive she mused bitterly on
the Inconsistency of man, and the utter folly
of looking for truth, or enduring affection
from one of the masculine gender.
"Of course, he gave her the violets, and
it was only month ago that they were all
for me, my especial flower, he called them.
Not that it makes the least difference to me
to whom MIR. Stuyvesant gives his attentions
but one likes to believe in persons pro-
fession." Then her conscience asked her if
should cease to care for her. When they
were at Rushbanks she had certainly show
ed an undoubted preference for his society
above all others; amt then, when he told his
was there left of the young girl of-bis i'm
agination No wonder that he had turned
for consolation to the gentle creature now
sitting before her. Lillian looked unusually
pretty: the cold air enhanced her brilliant
bloom, and her golden locks almost sparkled
in the sunshine. She was talking animated
ly to Jack, and Blanche thought jealousy
how those blue eyes might have looked into
Frank Stuyvesant's, and charmed him into
forgetfumess Of her own brown cheeks and
chestnut eyes.
They were returning now, just passing
the reservoir into Fifth Avenue, when the
spirited horses took fright at several eager
equestrians, and plunged and reared franti-
cally. In one moment the light dog-cart
was overturned, and Blanch thrown violent
| ly out, stunned for the moment. When she
opened her eyes well-known arm supper
| ted her, a well-known face bent over her,
and Franks voice called to her in passionate
accents.
/ Coloring deeply, she hastily disengaged
herself from his arms, aud without giving
/ him look, hurried toward her cousin.
Jack had taken good care of Lillian, fol
she was standing by, laughing, and shaking
| tho dust from her profusion of fair hair
which tambled over her shoulders in def
ance of comb and hair-pins. When Blanche
turned, Mr.. Stuyvesant was looking on,
with an Indifferent face, at the rightiny ol
| the dog-cart.
"Let me help you," he cried, laughing al
Lilian's futile attempts to straighlcn severa
sadly bedraggled plumcs-and he bent for
ward aud whispered something which mad,
Lillian blush and toss her head.
'Come, Frank, jump in old fellow, and
let me show you how my grnys can ster
out, " said Jack Courtenayc, helping his cous
in to her scat, whilst Blanche sprung in
scarcely touching Mr.. Stuyvesant's assisting
hand. Frank glanced a, Blanche, but sht
turned away her head.
81 thank you no, not to-day" and lifting
his hat walked rapidly away.
They drove quickly home, Lillian thinking
it famous adventure; Blanche absorbed il
the recollection she had seen, of ardent eyes
30 close to her face, and brown curls almes
touching her own darker locks.
The following day was Sunday. In th'
afternoon Blanche stole off alone to Cavalry
church. The evening prayers quicted he
restless heart, and stilled for awhile her self
rcproaches. The service was ended, thu
echoes of the sweet voices had died away
Blanche made her way down the aisle, feel
ing at Peace with all the world. When sh,
reached the door, she started back dismayed
for there was an ominous patter on the stone
steps, and torrents of pitiless rain struck ter
ror to the hearts of umbrellaless-w -worshipers
Blanche had hardly time to think of tn
probably fate Of her little pink bonnet, whel
some one stepped forward and formally of
fered his escort and umbrella. Her hear
bounded she knew the voice and form, bu
she merely bowed, and put her hand within
the profiered arm.
Together they stepped out of the vestibul
and on to the street, and silently the firs
block was passed. For her life Blanch
could think of nothing to say. She stole
glance at her companion, but enceuntere
such sparkling eyes, that she did not dar
look again. When they reached her ow
door, Miss Courtepaye contrived to say.
81 am very much indebted to you." Fo
which Mr.. Stuyvesant bowed and departed
81 tell you, mother, Lillian Eastwood
turning out regular beauty" said Jac
Courteneye, at breakfast, next morning, il
dolently stretching his arm to reach roun
j oftoast.
Mrs Courtenaye adjusted her brcakfas
cap before she replied
"Such a com plexion and such hair woul
make any one pretty. Lillian has, beside
all that, great good sense. do not thin
any foolish notions will interfere with hi
acceptance of a good offer, if she has one.
"Frank Stuyvcsant seems to be pretty ia
gone-don't you think so?' said Jack, turr
ming suddenly TO his sister.
Blanche felt in her heart despairing a
, sent, but she answered quite steadily III;
they were well suited
/ Jacks remarks were interrupted by III
entrance Of the servant with little pin
f billet, which he laid by Miss Cour,enaye
plate.
/ Error, Lillian said Blanche auswcIiu
/ her mothers questioning look, "askiu
, Jack and me 10 pass quiet evening wit
!, har no mn ono hut herself 10 nj home =