Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-21
"ADOPTED."
A TRUE STORY.

"Irs very strange" muttered
Blanche Penroy, slowly weaving
together the wreath of scarlet au-
tumn leaves, with which she was
decorating her broad-brimmed hat.
She made q beautiful picture, sit
ting there all alone in the mellow
glow and color of the October
woods, a crimson shawl dropping
from her shoulders, and the snn-
shine lighting up her bright autumn
curls with glittering threads OF
gold, while upon the fallen trunk,
that formed her impromptu seat, lay
a tiny branch of ferns and autumnal
flowers. She was transparently fair,
with purple veins in each waxen
temple and faint pink bloom on her
cheeks, while her eyes, large and
brown, seemed to look with the
brave, tender expression of child.
yes, it is very strange" went on
Miss Penroy, musing with herself,
81 know so little about him. have
only known him about ten days, yet,
when he spoke about leaving Elm
point last night, it seemed as if all
sunshine was leaving the world
for me-" go, Blanc1e naughty,
naughty little Blanche ~ she added,
leaning forward and apostrOphiz-
ing the fair face mirrDred in the
stream at her feet: 'i> it possible
that you have allowed yourself to
fall in love with a tail, black eyed
man. Ten days ago ] had never seen
him-and nOw?"
The roses mounted to her cheeks
as she wondered within herself
whether Mr.. Everiug cared for her.
Il wish l knew" she muttered
aloud.
"Knew what:' demanded calm
voice, and Mr.. Gilbert Evering took
up the bunch of flowers and coolly
seated himself beside her-a tall
handsome man, with brilliant draE
eyes, rather irregular features, and
a deep glowing through his olive
skin.
Blanche demurely looked up al
him; she was not to be taken by
storm so easily, and asked:
''Do you think it will rain tO-mor,
row for our picnic? l want to wear
my white India muslin"
90, the picnic. l had forgotten
that when l spoke of leaving to,
morrow. OF course, though, my
presence or absence will make NJ
difference"
Blanche was silent. Somehow tina
scarlet and brown spotted leaf re
quired a good deal of adjustmen
in the ribbon of her band.
blanche, shall l go or stay!"
GAS you please, Mr.. EveriBg, Il
be sure"
mo, as somebody else pleases
Yes or no? And l forewarn yoI
that yes means a good deal"
"IIOw much does it mean?" ques
toned Blanche, half archly, hal
timOrOusly.
"Everything -
"Then you may stay
''My Blanche, my little daisy - ht
whispered, bending his stately heaC
over the slender hand that lay OIL
the autumn leaves. And Blanch,
felt that in the golden stiffness o
that October evening she had turn
ed a new page in the book of hel
life.
She was very, very happy, and al
that day she seemed to be walkin,
through the bright mysteries of I
dream. But with the morning came
another feeling. Alas! that shad
ows should always follow sunshine
in this world of ours.
'I'm not disposed to be unreason
able, Blanche, said Gilbert, in {
whisper, as he arranged her whit,
shawl for her, amid the merry tn
multi of the picnic ground, "but
do think you've waltzed quite otter
enough with Mr.. Cunningham"
jealous already, Gilbert?" taunt
ed the girl, flushed and rosy rec
with the triumphs of coquetry. She
colored deeply.
"Of course you'll do as you please
Blanche, only l warn you it's only
choice between Walter Birmingham
and-you dance with him again a
your risk"
At the same instant Mr.. BIrming
ham came up.
May have the pleasure of
polka with you, Miss Penroy?"
And Blanche, defiant, wilful an,
a little piqued, answered ''yes."
She glided away, with her han,
on Walter Birmingham's shoulder
Gilbert had she thought, no busines
to be so unreasonable.
His grave, stern face rather star
| tied her, as she came once more L
the rustic seat of twisted boughs
when the band was silent and Bir
mingham had gone to bring her
glass of iced lemonade.
"Gilbert," she said, "why do yor
/ look so CROSSE"
because l have good reason.
am sorry you pay so little regard L
my wishes, Miss Penroy."
She drew herself up haughiily.
''You are beginning To dictat
quite early, sir"
"Have l not the right:"
''No, Mr.. Eyering."
"Be it so, Blanche" he said in
voice that betrayed how the arrow
ranked in his bosom. 81 give u
the right now and henceforth."
Blanche was startled. She wOul
have said more, but Walter Biz
mingham was advancing towar
her, and when she next had lcisur
to look around, Gilbert had gon
] from her.
''What have l done?" she though
| in dismay. ''Pu see him this even