Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-11-17

1t is very strange" uttered
Blanche Penroy, slowly weaving to-
gether the wreath of scarlet autumn
leaves with which she was decorat-
ing her broad -brimmed straw hat.
f" Yes, it is very strange" went on
Miss Penroy, musing with herself;
{" know SO little about him: have
only known him ten days-yet when
he spoke about leaving Elm Point
last night, it seemed as if all sun
shine was going out of the world
for me. o, Blanche! naughty,
naughty little Blanchiew she added,
leaning forward and apostrophizing
the fair face mirrored in the glen
stream at her feet; sis it possible
that you've allowed yourself to fall
in love with that tall, black-eyed
young Southerner? Ten days ago
l had never seen him-and noww
The roses mounted up in her
cheek as she wondered within her
self whether Mr.. Evering cared for
her.
"I wish I knew she muttered
aloud.
ssKnew what?' demanded calm
voice, and Mr.. Gilbert Everipg took
up bunch of grasses on the log,
and coolly seated himself beside
her-a straight, handsome man, with
brilliant dark eyes, rather irregular
features, and a deep color glowing
through his olive skin.
Blanche demurely looked at him
she was not to be taken by storm
thus easily.
"Whether it would rain to-mor-
row for our picnic. 1 want to wear
my white India muslin"
90! the picnic. 1 had forgotten
that when 1 spoke of leaving to.
morrow. Of course, though, my
presence or absence will make nc
great difference"
Blanche was silent. Somehow
that scarlet and brown-spotted ma
pie leaf requireda a great deal of ad,
justment in the ribbon of her hat.
"Blanche-shall GO or stay"
"Just as you please"
"No, just as somebody else
pleases. Yes or no? And 1 fore,
warn you, yes means a great deal. y
"How much does it mean?" ques-
toned Blanche, half archly, hall
timorously.
Livery thingp
"Then you may stay"
"My Blanche-my little white
daisyr' he whispered, bending his
stately head over the slender hand
that lay on the autumn leaves; and
Blanche felt that in the golden still
ness of that October dell she had
turned new page in her life.
She was very, very happy, and all
that day she seemed to be walking
through the bright mysteries of a
dream. But with the morning came
other feelings. Alas! that shadow
should always follow sunshine in
this world of ours.
"I am not disposed to be unrea
sonable, Blanche" said Gilbert, in q
whisper, as he arranged her white
lace shawl for her amid the merry
tumult Of the picnic ground; "but
l do think you have waltzed quite
enough with that puppy, Birming
him.
"Jealous already, Gilbert?" taunt
ed the girl, flushed and rosy with
triumphs Of her beauty, and the ir
resistible instincts of coquetry. She
colored crimson.
"Of course, you will do as yor
please, Blanche; only warn you, i
is a choice between Walter Birming
ham and me. You dance with hin
again at your own risk"
At the same instant young Birm
ingham came up.
MAY l have the pleasure of thil
polka with you, Miss Penroy?''
And Blanche, defiant and wilful
and a little piqued, answered "Yesr
and glided away with her little han(
on Walter Birmingham's shoulder
Gilbert had no business to be un
reasonable.
His grave, stern face rathe
startled her as she came once NOR,
to the rustic seat of twisted boughs
when the string band of music wa
silent, and Mr.. Birmingham hat
gone to bring her glass of icet
lemonade.
Gilbert, why do you look St
CROSSE"
Because / have reason. l an
sorry you pay so little attention t.
my wishes, Miss Penroy."
She drew herself up haughtily.
You are beginning to dictat
early, sir"
Have l not the right?"
Nothing of the sort, Mr.. Ever
ing
BE it so, Blanche" he said, in
| ,-a,aa that How, laa,, tho N