Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-05-11

WY 0uVusV uVs suVPs Su0 osIsy WSu,
and make il the business Of my life to
cherish and comfort him : have no oh.
ject in existaucs; hero is one that Provi.
"It, very strange" muttsred Blanche
Penroy, slowly weaving together the
wreath Of scarlet autumn leaves with
which she was decorating her broad
brimmed STRAW hat. = r 'aeo4D'
She made beautiful picture, sitting
there oil alone 10 the mellow glow and
color Of the October woods, . crimson
shawl dropping from her shoulders, aud
the sunshine lighting up her bright auburn
curls with glitteriug threads Of gold, while
upon the fallen trunk that formed her
impromtu seat lay tiny branch of ferns
aud autumual flowers. She was transpar-
emily 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 q child. Z
"Yes, it is very strange" went on Miss
Peuroy, musing herself" I know SO lit.
tie 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-" "Oh, Blanche-naughty, naughty
little Blanche" she added, leaning for
ward and apostrophiziug the fair face mir
rored 10 the stream at her feet; "is it pos
sible that you have allowed yourself to fall
10 love with tall, black.eyed young man ?
Ten days ago had never seen him-aud
now 2"
The roses mounted to her cheeks as she
wondered within herself whether Mr..
Evering cared for her.
9" wish knew" she muttered aloud.
"Kuew what" demanded calm voice,
and Mr.. Gilbert Everiug took up the
bunch Of flowers and cody seated himself
beside her--a tall, handsome man, with
brilliant dark eyes, rather irregular fea-
lures, and deed glowing through his olive
skin. cE
Blanche demurely looked up at him !;
she was not to be taken by storm so easily,
aud asked: 'l' ,atel
Do you think it will rain tomorrow
for our picnic? I want to wear my white
Iudia muslin !"
Oh, the picnic. I had forgotten that
when I spoke of leaving tomorrow. Of
course, though, my presence or absence
will make no difference. ff
Blanche was silent. Somehow that scar.
let and brown spotted leaf required good
deal of adjustment 10 the ribbon of her
hat.band.
Blanche, shall I 60 or stay"
Gas you please, Mr.. Everiug, to be
sure"
mo, as somebody else pleases. Yes or
no. And I forewarn you that yes means
a good deal."l
"How much does it mean ?" questioned
Blanche, half archly, half timorously.
"Everythingr
"Then you may stayw
+. "My Blauohe-my little daisyv' he
whispered, bending his stately head over
the slender hand that lay on tho autumn
leaves. Aud Blanche felt that in the
golden Stiffness Of that October evening
she had turned a new page ia the book Of
her life. .y'a 9Tlii.f ynaMqr
She was very happy, aud all that day
she seemed to be walking through the
bright mysteries Of a dream. But with
the morning came another feeling. Alas
that shadows should always follow san-
shine In this world Of ours. ltsesp1sfl
I'm not disposed to be unreasonable,
Blanche. " said Gilbert, ID whisper, - lie
arranged her white shawl for her, amid
the merry tumult Of the picnic ground,
"but do think you've waltssd quite oftsn
enough with Mr.. Birmingham r.
"Jeslous already, Gilberti" tainted
the girl. flushed aud rosy rcd with the
triumphs Of eoquetry. She eolorsd dssply.
"Of course you'll d. = youl please,
Blanche; only I warn you it's only .
choice between Walter Birmiugham asd
mo. You dance With him again, str your
own risk" e 9tig'flef1 llsa4
Atths Same instant Mr. Birmisshan
came mp ,sI 4 ss;b4 s5-r ~g
"May have the pleasure Of : polka
with you, Miss Pesroyi" 9iasss IN
And Blanche, defiant, vilfal, and . III.
tls piqued, answered "yss." q
She glidsd away with her hard o. Wal
tor Birwieshau's shoulder. Gilbert had,
she thought 10 busiusse 70 b % uurea.