The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-09-22
''ADoPTED."

roy, slowly weaving together the wreath OF
scarlet autumn leaves with which she was
decorating her broad brmmed straw hat.
| eyes, it is very strange" went on Miss
Penrov, musing with herself II know SC
little about him-I have only known him ten
davs-yet when he spoke about leaving Elm
Point last night. it seemed as if all the sun
shine were going out of the world ior ne.
O. Blanche! naughty, naughty, little
Blanche :" she added leaning forward and
apostrophsing the fair face mirrorea in the
clear stream at her teet
as it possible that you've allowed yourself
to fail in love with that tall, black-eyed
Southerner? Ten days ago had never seen
him, and now !"
The roses mounted up into her cheek as
she wondered within herself whether Mr..
Evering cared for her.
II wish / knew!' she muttered aloud.
"Knew WHAT" demanded calm voice,
and Mr.. Gilbert Everng took up bunch OF
grasses on the log, and coolly seated himself
beside hcr--a straight handsome man, with
brilliant dark eyes, rather irregular features ;
and 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 tomorrow, for
our picnic | want to wear my white India
muslin y
80! the picnic l had forgotten that
when | spoke of leaving tomorrow. OF
course, though, my presence or absence will
make no great difference"
Blanche was silent. Somehow that scarlet
and brown spotted maple leaf required q
great deal of adjustment 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 forewarn you, yes means a
great deal"
.'liow much does ii mean?" questioned
Blanche, half archly, half timorously
Every thing"
Then you may stay !"
''My Blanche-my little white daisy" he
whispered, bending his stately head over the
slender white hand that lay on the autumn
leayes And Blanche felt that in the gold
en- stiffness of that October dell she had turn
ed a new page iii 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'm not supposed to be unreasonable,
Blanche,' said Gilbert in Il whisper, rs he
arranged her white lace shawl for her, amid
the merry tumult of the picnic ground, "bnt
| do think you've waltzed quite often enough
enough with that puppy, Birmngham'' y
''Jealous already, Gilbert" !" taunted the
eirl, flushed and rosy with the triumphs of
her beauty, and the irresistible instincts of
coquctry. She colored crimson,
"Of course. you'll do as you please,
Blanche; only warn you, it's a choice be-
tween Walter Birmingham and me. You
dance with him again at your own risk y
At the same instant young Birmingham
came up.
MAY I have the pleasure of this polka
with you Miss Pcnroy?"
And Blanche, defiant and wiful, and n
little piqued, answered:
eyes y
And glided away with her plump hand on
Walter Birmingham's shoulder. Gilbert had
no business to be SO unreasonable!
His grave, stern face rather started her us
she came once more to the mystic seat OF
twisted boughs, when the string band music
was silent, and Mr. Birmingham had gone
to bring her :, glass Of iced lemonade
.Glbert, why do you look so cross ?'
sRecausc | have reason. | am sorry you
pay SO little attention to my wishes, Miss
Pcnroy."
She drew herself up haughtily.
"You are beginning to dictate early, sr "
"Havc | not the right ?"
"Nothng of the sort, Mr.. Evcring."
"Be it SO Blanche" he said in a voice that
betrayed how deep the arrow ranked in his
bosom. 81 give up the right now and
henccforWard."
Blanche was startled She would have
said more. but Walter Birmingham was ad-
vancinc toward her, and when next she had
leisure to look around, Gilbert had gone
| from her side.
"What have | done ?' sho thought in dis
may "Ill sec him in the evening and coax
him into Il good humor once more. He
surely can't be yeXed at me for an idle word
like that"
All, little Blanche. it is not the well consid
cred sentence that does all the harm in this
world-it is the idle word.
.sSuch charming day rs we have haC
Mrs. Traine," said Blanche, rs she came W
the steps of the hotel piazza, as smiling an(
radiant as if the worm, remorse. was mo-
gnawing at her heart.
THAT, of course" said the blooming
matron, who was reading in an easy chain
under the shadow of the vines. but wha
sent MT. I.NcrlllS AWAY III StcH II HuIIy
"Sent him away%'
eyes, by the evening train. He came
home, packed his things and drove away as
if there was not a moment to lose. l an
very sorry; we shall miss him so much"
Blanche went slowly up stairs and So
down by her window, looking out at tn.
purple glow of the evening landscape as if i
were q featurelcss blank. SO he was reall,
gone away, and by her own folly she had los
the priceless treasure of Gilbert Evering'
love.
"And cannot even write to him, for dc
not even know his address," she though
with clasped hands and fearless eyes. ''Well
it's my own fault, and must abide the con
sequence as best l may
Blanche Penroy went home from the ga,
summer lounging place sadder and wise
woman; and the November mists droopin!
over the brick and mortar wilderness of he
New York home, had never seemed half St
dreary to her rs they seemed now
Il shall now be an old maid," though
Blanche, walking up and down the fireligh
darkness of her twilight drawingrooms
with her dimpled hands clasped behind he
waist.
81 never cared for any one now rs / care
for-for Gilbert; and dare say shall! kee
a cat, and grow fond of green tea and scan
dal sewing circles! All, well-a-day! lf
cannot last forever ~