Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-03-04

distant cousin, formally and briefly snnounc'
ing her death, which had taken place In one ol
the West India Islands some months since: but
of which the melancholy news as the letter
ran had only been just received 1t was not
entirely unexpected, as Mrs. Aarchmount had
for some years been slowly falling out of the
world, a victim of hereditary consumption.
Leaving one child, a son." slowly repeated
Blanche, leaning her cheek on her hand, and
looking down into the fiery qufver OF the white
hot Goals. poor little fellow. he must feel
nearly as desolate and lone as do! only have
one advantage" -......
aIhave a suficiency Of this worlds goods.
and this orphan child must be thrown penniless
and alone on his own resources, for If rernem-
Der Alright Mrs. Marchmount forfeited all the
wealth other first marriage by the second alli-
ance with that poverty stricken lawyer whose
death plunged her into such bitter mourning
That was a genuine love match, yet how much
grief and trouble 1t brought with ii, leaving
one child, a sonr Why should not adopt the
stray waik and make it a business of my life to
cherish. and comfort him! have no object in
existence; here is one that Providence has
pointed out to me-"
Once more she rang the bell, with fresh color
glowing in her cheeks, and q new light in her
eyes. = ga 2 a-A~+ 5N- -N
Bring In my writing case Immediately, San
derson, and get ready to take a letter to the
post office as soon as possible
The cid servant obeyed, wondering at his mis-
tress' unwonted energy, and yet well pleased to
see some of her old animation returning.
1t was very simple and unconscious letter
that Blanche Penroy wrote to her far away
cousins executors from the fullness other heart.
az shall never marry now" she wrote, land it
seems to become my plainly indicated duty to
undertake the care Of this orphan child of my
cousin Mrs Marchmount. With your approval,
therefore, 1 propose to adopt him, and endeavor,
as far as in my power to supply the place of his
lost mother. You may at first deem me too
young to undertake SO grave and serious a re-
sponsfbility; but was nineteen last month,
and am very much older in thought and feeling
than my years or course, at my death, the
child will inherit the property which was LEFT
me by my dear deceased parents"
81 hope my cousins executors are like the
nice, whiteheaded old lawyers one reads about
In novels" said Blanche to herself as she folded
the little perfumed sheet of pink paper. and
not cross old fogies, talking of expediency and
appropriateness; for do 80 much want some
body to love and care for;- and somehow I've
ssrt ofpremonition that this little fellow will be
nice and rosy and loveable. 1 think I'll teach
him to call me Aunty."
Just q week subsequent a prim legal note was
received from Messrs. Alias and Corpus, the de-
ceased lady's executors, stating that they saw
no valid objection to Miss Penroy's very lauda-
BILE projects-and that in accordance thereto the
child of the late Mrs. Marchmount would arrive
at Miss Penroys residence on the following
Saturday, r=. z--E= ~ 4
"Saturday--and this Is Friday = said Blanche,
with a new brightness dancing to her hazel
eyes. "Oh. how glad Ishall be! Sanderson, tell
Mrs. Brown to have the blue room fitted up i'm
mediately for Master Marchmount, and you
had better go yourself to the depot. with the
carriage. at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon to
meet him." s.
"Yes, ma'am," replied sanderson somewhat
stolidly. The apparation of a great unruly boy
tramping with muddy boots on the velvet car
pets and haunting the house with ball and mar
bles, and lung-splitting halloes. did not possess
the charm to Sanderson's eyes, that 1t seemed to
his mistress And even the patient Mrs. Brown
remarked, with the species of evaporation,
that r-Ef
"she didn't see what put this freak into Miss
Blanche's head"
Saturday was a day Of hail and tempest. and
by five O'Clock the drawing rooms were lighted,
and the crimson silk curtains closely drawn, to
exclude the stormy darkness without. Six
times within the last fifteen minutes had
Blanche looked at her watch, as she stood by the
nre waiting to hear the approach ofthe carriage.
She was dressed in rich China blue silk dress,
with pearl pin and ear drops, and a little point
lace at her throat and the clear rosy tint on her
cheeks. She was unconsiously, very beautiful.
) "Here's little gentleman, Miss" said San
derscn, with a.half suppressed sound between a
laugh and snort.
Z But instead of q child seven or eight years
old. q tall handsome young gentleman, some
thing over six feet with a black mustache, and
merry hazel eyes brimming over with mirth.-
For an instant Blanche stared at him as n1she
could hardly credit the evidence of her own
senses.
, "Gilbertr N--e@
Exactly. You wanted TO adopt me. and here
am"
Z "No but, Gilbert -"
= Yes, but Blanchew sra
"You are not Mrs. Marchmount's sonr
-"I am-by her first marriage. Although j am
by no means the penniless infant you suppose.
as all my fathers wealth. comes to me, II am
quite willing to be adopted-particularly as you
are not married to Mr.. Birmingham"
Blanche struggled between tears and laughter,
uncertain which could best express her feelings,
but Gilbert Evering drew her gently towards
him. raB AfH FsEE
."Ifyou adopt me, dearest. it must be for life.
Nay, do not hesitate-our happiness has already
been too much at the mercy oftrifes. You will
not retract your offer?"
swell, after all,'' said Blanche, rather de-
nurely, sysuH be Q good little boy, and mind
altyour 4unty tells youf An wanted was
some onst % love and osre Cor, and-.z
"And shall dov1Ey well in hatczRacdty. IN ?"
"Yesn -
sanderson. who bad heen listenins diligently
at the door, crept down stAiul to inform Mrs.
Brown that athey were soina 70 have new
master" * -