Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-04-26
[Esos APfLzToE's soUREAEl
WHAT CASE or THE FIRE.
BY MRS. DENNIseN.


his trim little oarry-RlL Aunt Hannah WAS sick,
he said had been ailing for week, and she
wanted me. 5..5.f .t.5 4.l
"But what shall do with my guest p asked,
standing out there In the sunshine, ankle-deep
In red clover.
"Your guest 1 didn't know you had one"
"Yes, my old friend, Blanche Heath don't
you remember her7"
"Blanche Heath / think do" he said hesi-
tAtingly, curious, amused expression in his
face and the color came to his check ''that
wild little thing who rode Deacon Hides hsrse
that time-oh, yes, yes"
but, Uncle Dash that was ten years ago."
said, ''she was wild then, rather. Well you see
can't leave her, and can't send her home"
"Bring her to the parsonage you must come,
you know; Haunah has set her heart upon 1t. ;"
shook my head, Blanche had baen my visi-
tor only fer two days, and had invited her for
month. Would she go to the parsonage 7would
she remember--and here 1 laughed to myself;
II suppose must" said at last "and I'll
see what l can do with Blanche"
San right; I'm of to town. Az half-past
three sharp"-he took out his great moon-fa 1ed,
silver watch-"I'll be back, be ready then pray
don't keep me waiting"
went into the house in some little trepida-
ton. Would Blanche accompany me5 To leave
her by herself was out of the question.
There had been q time-at least had fancied
so-when q word, q look, from Uncle Dash had
set her pulses bounding, but feared she bad
never been Rfavorte of the rector. He had
only seen the Wild thoughtless girl, who sat un.
der his ministrations because II WAS the thing to
attend church and behave deoorously while
there. She vexed him with her merry, thought
less ways; her ready laugh and gay attire vas
dstasteful to him; the laugh, because it was so
often out OF place; the Dress because he was 4
man of sober notions, but Aometmes thought
he liked her witching dark eyes, and innocent,
It seemed he did remember her ride on the
deacon's horse, @ slow, stupid ANIMAL too old
for active work. Blanche had caught him once
in the deacon'e pasture, and after dressing his
ears, name and tail, in the most ridiculous fash
ion, with bunches OF grass and bowers, and long
rings of pine shavings, she had sprung upon
his back, herself in fantastic attire, long red
scarf tied about shoulders and waist her broth
ers straw hat on her head, and urged the crea-
ture into trot. Old Rosinante became fright
ened at last, 1t put speed in his lean bones, he
began to run. and she clung to him, terrified and
screaming until the beast stopped short, right
In front OF the rector's study window. Ofcourse,
the whole household was there to see and 1t was
scene for q painter. Poor Blanche came
home crying with vexation and declaring
that she hated ministers of all sorts. they
never make any kind Of allowance for the fun
In ones nature In fine, she was so thoroughly
mortified that she did not so inside the church,
door for weeks
AS entered the sunny little parlor, smiling
over the recollection, Blanche turned round with
questioning glance How the golden CLEANS
rippled all over her hAir~-that fine red-brown
one rarely sees save in old paintings-and her
eyes were sweeter and graver than before
Twenty-eight was more beautiful than eighteen
'If were man should fall in love with you
this minute" said, going toward her, and kiss
ing her ON the forehead.
"If you were man, don't think you'd kiss
me that way" she answered, laughing, "but who
was It you were talking with"
"Uncle Dash"
rosy flush crept along her cheeks.
"0h," she said, saucily, " the Rev. Dashaway
Merriheld, have good cause to recollect him ;
he,doubtless, considered me the one black sheep
in his flock"
II don't believe it," said, quietly.
"0h, but he did, and don't wonder at II eth.
err when look back. Do you remember the
day he found my Sunday-school exercise, and
what had written on the back ? l do to this
day. 1t was Dash, Dasher, Dashed, Dashover
Dashunder, Dashaway Merriheld.' Upon my
word, saw the corners OF his mouth curl when
he read il, black as he looked-but what busi-
ness had he with such a ridiculous name? l know
ho almost hated me for it in fact, hated my
self, fer had set the whole class in gigge
and you couldn't go dozen steps after that
any day in the week. but you would hear some
hateful boy rattling ove at thet top of his lungs
Oh / don't blame him in the least for dslikiDe
me am sure have thoroughly despised my
self for it ever SINCE Why didn't he come in 2
He was In hurry, my dear. spoke OF you
and he remembered you VI could hardly speal
for Iaughing-"in connection with Deacon Hide
horse"
"oh, my goodness yes,of course he remem
bered that" For a moment Blanche looked
disconnected the soft flush mounted to he
temples, and she pulled her thread earnestly I'll
II broke.
"That was the one thing didn't care to b
perpetusted in anybody's recollection" she sai'
In a low voice. ~ never like to think OF 1t, no
Of the look he gave me that night But it was q
ridiculous Old Rattlebones in the moonlight
whisking his decorations as II delighted at hav
ing brought retribntion upon my devoted head
l. with that hideous straw-hat dangling over m
shoulders, my curls flying, and everybody in tn
house at the window looking at me; was i
such rage and old Grace the cook called m
little heather. Annie. did you ever hear Q
the old minister who was rebuked for levty
He said he hoped he loved the Lord, h
thought he did, but he was afraid the funn
part Of his nature had never been converted
That's my precisely. What ridicuou
time it was and your unole-wel, no matte
what he said l havn't forgotten, though pei
haps he has. However, it settled me for tim
didn't it ?"
II think you were somewhat more settled Al
ter that" said, laughing5 at her quaint po
trayRl but have an invitation for you, an
from Uncle Dash, too"
IAN invitation ?"
"Yes you are to go to the parsonage wit
me Aunt Hannah is sick"
''And why am / asked there z"
''Why. Aunt Hannah needs me, and I'm nj
going to leave you here" -
"Igo to the parsonage Indeed will not I
atay and keep house by myself"
you must go with me always had my wi
with you, and I'm not going to give up now
besides, Uncle Dash bade me bring you, and
have always obeyed him as if he were my fat
er."
I'D like to see myself obeying /" she sal
with spice of old spirit it's no use, Anne
won't CO."
Her cheeks orimsoned, and she began to sc
as il her life depended upon the completion
the work in hand. Ae for me, cuddled doV
beside her, and put my arm about her neck, a
coaxed her till she gave reluctant consent a.
we went upstairs together to put away the Il
things we needed in travelling-satchels.
I'VE csn come over to Daisy Lodge eas
enough when we need any thing more," 81
pressing down the top Of an old cedar CHI
where keptI what little silver had.
81 shall need something very soon, then" 81
Blanche. I'm not going to stay at the parsona
to be haunted by the ghost of old Deacon HID
horse"
She laughed, but her cheeks were afame, a
her lips trembled. How was to know tn
down deep in her trunk, in dainty crims
case smiled the lineAments OF my handso
uncle, and that the miniature was painted II
memory, she not having seen him in all IN
ten years
Al three we were ready, all but hats
shawls. could see that BlanchewAs Ill et east
ahe sat knitting on the faded green loung