The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-06-16
SELECTED STORY.
Adopted.


sTt,s very strange" unused Blanche Pen
ROY, slowly weaving together the wreath of
scarlet autumn leaves with which she was
decorating her broad brimmed straw hat.
81 know so little about him, 1 have only
known him ten days, and yet, when he
spoke of leaving Elm Point, last night, it
seemed as if all the sunshine had gone out
of the world Oh Blanche, you naughty
little Blanch !" she added, leaning forward
and apostrophising the fair face mirrored
in the glen stream at her feet. as it pos
side that you have allowed your
self to fall in love with that tall, dark eyed
fellow 2"
The roses mounted up into her cheeks as
she wondered within herself whether Gilbert
Evering cared for her. st
81 wish knew" she muttered aloud.
'sKnew what 2" demanded calm voice,
and Mr.. EYering seated himself on the log
beside her-a straight, handsome man,
with brilliant black eyes, regular features,
and deep color glowing through his olive
skin.
Blanche demurely looked up at him.
She was not to be taken by storm thus
easily.
wish knew whether it will rain to-mor.
row, for l want to wear my white India
muslin at our pic-nic.n
sob the picnic! l had forgotten that
when I spoke of leaving tomorrow. Of
course, though, my presence or absence
would make no very great difference"
Somehow that scarlet and brown spotted
maple leaf required great deal of extra ad-
justment just then. .....-.... .....
Blanche, shall l 60 or staya"
"Just as you please" -I.
'No Just as somebody else pleases. Yes
or no9 And l forewarn you that yes means
a grest deal.n g-. .-
allow much does it mean nowg" ques-
toned Blanche, half archly, half timor-
ously. S-E@ JOY '
Everything"
''Then you may stay"
'My Blanche, my little white daisy" he
whispered, bending his stately head over
the slender hand that lay on the autumn
leaves. And Blanche felt that in the golden
stiffness of that October dell she had turned
over new page in her life.
She was very happy, and alrthat day she
seemed to be cropping through the mysteries
of a dream. But with the morning came
other feelings Alasl that shadow should
always follow sunshine in this world of ours.
81 am not disposed to be unreasonable,
Blanche said Gilbert, in whisper, as he
arranged her white lace shawl for her
amid the merry tumult of the picnic
ground "but I think you have waltzed
quite often enough with that puppy, Bir-
mingham."
"Jealous already, Gilbert 2" tainted the
girl, flushed and rosy with the triumphs of
her beauty and the irresistible instincts of
coquetry. She colored crimson.
"Of course you will do as you please; only
warn you Blanche, it is choice between
Birmingham and me. You dance with him
at your own risk
At that instant Walter Birmingham came
up, and respectfully asked, IF he could
have the pleasure of polka with Miss Pen
royw III u. ! I'D
And Blanche, defiant and willful, and a
little piqued, answered:
"Yes."
And she glided away with her plump
hand on Birmingham's shoulder. Gilbert
had no business to be SO unreasonable.
His grave, stern face rather startled her
as she came back to the rustic seat of
twisted boughs, when the dance was fin
1shed and Birmingham had gone to bring
her an iced lemonade, 81
"Gilbert, why do you look so cross ~
Because l have a reason. 1 am sorry
that you pay SO little attention to my wishes,
Miss Penroy." es -
She drew herself up haughtily.
You are beginning to dictate rather too
early, sir"
"Have not the right ?" lfa
Nothing of the sort, Mr.. Evering.prsJ
"Be it so, Blanche,ni he said in a voice
that betrayed how deep the arrow ranked
In his bosom; II give up the right, now
and forever.n = flf liza =
Blanche was startled. She would have
SAID more, but Birmingham was advancing
toward her, and when she next had leisure
10 look around, Gilbert was gone from her
side. g ri f1s.at- n, = - -. -
what have I done 2" she thought in dis
may. "Fll see him this evening and coax
him into a good humor once more. He sure
ly can't be vexed at me for an idle word like
that .-os s-I5- :
An, little Blanche, 1T is not the well con-
sioered sentence that does all the harm in
this world; it is the idle word. q"
such charming day as we have had,
mrs. Traine," said Blanche, as she came up
the steps of the piazza, as smiling and ra-
dlant as if the worm of remorse was not
gnawlng at her heart.
''That, of course said the blooming
matron, who was reading in an easy chair
under the shadow of the vines. 'sBut who
sent MT. EVenng away in such hurry 2"
"Sent him away ~
s"Yes-by the evening train. He came
home, packed up his things. and drove
away as if there were not moment to lose
am very sorry. We shall mics him so
Blanche went slowly up stairs and sat
down by her window, looking at the purple
glow Of the evening landscape as if it were
featherless blank. So he had gone away,
and, by her own folly, she had lost the price'
less treasure of Gilbert Evenings love.
u cannot write to him, for I do not
know his address" she said, with clasned
hands, Well, it is my own fault and 7
must abide the consequences as best NAV .,
blanche Penroy went from the CAV sum
meF lounglng place sadder and wiser