The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-06-07
CHAPTER VI.
TIE PARTY.

Samp, according to orders received
the night previous, had saddled Jetty
and Beppo, Harry's fine sorrel, and had
them standing before the door awaiting
their riders just as the golden sun made
his appearance above the tops Of the
surrounding hills. After seeing Blanche
safely restored TO her grandparents, So
nora had promised her she would ride
over bright and early to see how she
felt after so unexpected a bath. Clar-
ence had offered to accompany her,
which she accepted with pleasure, for
she thought she should then have an
opportunity Of knowing exactly the
state Of his heart with reference to
Blanche-and it was better TO know at
once than TO remain in anxiety.
'Good morning, Sonora" was the
first greeting, as she met Clarence on
the stoop, all ready for his ride.
Lovely indeed she looked as she stood
upon the steps ready to mount, with her
little silver-mounted whip in one hand,
while with the other she held up the
skirt Of her elegant riding habit, dis
playing the neat little gaiter. The sun,
as it shone upon the dark green cloth
and cOquettish little velvet cap, formed
q striking contrast to her fair, open
countenanee and rich brown curls,
hanging around her Shoulders like q
mantle.
"Good morning. You see / am wait
ing, like dutiful knight" said Clar-
ence, as he assisted her upon her horse.
Then, mounting his own, the two start
ed of in q graceful canter.
They met old Mrs Marsh at the door
hanging out Blanche's pet canary to en-
joy the morning air. She informed
them that her granddaughter was quite
well,with the exception of a cold, which
she had taken the previous night.
'But come into the house and take
breakfast with u.s." and the dear old
lady led the way, while the two fol-
lowed.
I'VE will come in a few moments, /"
said Sonora; ''and 1 will leave you,
grandma, to entertain Mr.. Pierpont,
while I run up stairs to see Blanche and
Oracle. We have promised to yeturn to
breakfast"
VERY well, though l have almost
forgotten how to entertain young gen.
tlemen. However, I will soon learn, .
said the old lady, smiling as she took of
her spectacles, and seating herself in tn,
old-fashioned easy chair, added, "Graei,
has a severe headache, and has not We
arisenn
Clarence thought, as he looked upoi
her, that he had never seen a finer spec
linen of old age in his life than Mrs
Marsh, and he thought about right, on
readers would say, had they seen heT
Her full, matronly form was arrayed il
a morning dress of brown and whit
gingham, over which was tied q hand
some black silk apron. a piece Of bobi
net lace was folded neatly about he
throat, and crossing upon her bosom
was tucked beneath the waist OF he
dress and fastened by the tiniest littl
pearl broaeh, the gift of by-gone days
Her silver locks were combed neatly
upon her forehead and covered by one o
the l'IelIlest caps, whose snowy ribbon
scarcely rivaled her own fair skin. \,
wonder that Blanche loved her dea.
grandma.
'Come out upon the piazza. ,, said IN,
old lady, ''and examine the fowers
You will find some very rare ones
They are Blanche's pride, dear cbiidr
and She sighed as she spoke.
''Ihey are elegant indeed,p said C,,o,
ence, as he looked upon maeni3cer
carnatiOn, just bursting into bloom
"What would this earth be were If n
void of flowers? ?n
"Dreary enough" said Mrs. Marsh
she broke a lovely moss-bud from /,
stem, and handing it to him, said. ,
never see a bud of this kind but il brin,
to mind my own youthful days. A gel