Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-27
The wilhered bouquet
BY ANNA SHIELDS.

a gay party of young people were
playing croquet upon the smoothly sha-
ven lawn of Godfrey Stanmores aristO-
cratic country seat. The shining wa
tiers of the Hudson rolled at the foot of
the lawn, and many hard hit ball
sprang over the light iron fence, to float
merrily down the sunny ripples to free
dom Over the heads of the players
stately trees met TO shade them from the
July sun, and wherever the eye could
reach, flowers were spread in rich pro-
fusion.
Ethel Stanmore, only child and heiress
of this stately estate and the superb
house that lifted its marble behind her,
was leader and chief promoter of all gay
meetings for miles around Stanm0re. 1T
was her ingenuity that contrived out
door theatricals and tableaux, with natu-
raj scenery for background and wings.
1t was Ethel who made up the most de-
lightful picnics and the gayest of par
ties. She was always discovering coZy
little hooks for luncheOns, tiny half-hid-
den waterfalls for artists, berry patches
for the girls, and brooks for the boys.
Nobody had such ferneries and aquari-
ums, such MOSES and hanging baskets,
as Ethel. She was pretty too, in a
graceful, winning form, and she was
lively, good-tempered, and little bit of
a coquette. Uniting with all this the
fact that she was the only child OF a
wealthy New York merchant, it is not a
matter for astonisbment that Ethel was
belle, flattered, courted, and vain of her
pretty face and power to please.
Suitors were certainly not wanting to
Al lan
tie lady fitted from one pleasure to an
other, certain of attention and devotion
wherever she moved.
As she knocked the croquet balls
about on the sunny July afternoon Of
which | write, one of her most devoted
cavaliers, playing against her, was evil
IDENTIFY much absorbed in studying the
effect of green. and gold, as illustrated
by the little beautys ribbons and cuTls.
He was tall young man, of the Eng
lish type of manly beauty, broad chest
ed, strong limbed, and curling brown
hair and large blue eyes, and mouth
uniting strength and sweetness in rare
degree, as his disposition united mans
power with the spirit of boy.
He could meet Ethel Stanmore upon
equal ground of position, wealth and
birth, and very promising filtration
had sprung up between the two. Look
ers-on wondered if this was to be a
match, or only one of Ethels amuse-
ments, and Harold Goldy himself SET
his teeth hard at some of the careless
coquetries that BODIED i'll for the success
of his suit.
With all the strength of nature that
was sincere and earnest, in spite of sur
| face merriment, the young man loved
1 the pretty blonde, reading the sweetness
of her disposition, and the sterling good
| qualities of her heart and mind, as yet
untried Ay any of lifes rough disci-
pline.
He waited, hoped and trusted that he
| could win the heart he coveted, and he
sued for it with patient, manly devotion,
willing to give all homage to the weak.
er one, yet never cringing if sorely tried
| by Ethel's careless manner.
The game was over and another was
being formed, when Ethel pleaded fa-
tigue and ran into the house, leaving
Harold fast bound by the mallet he had
taken, believing she would be his part
ner. In the wide, cool drawing room
the young girl threw herself into deer
arm chair, and was half asleep before
she detected figure half hidden by the
window curtains.
Aunt Grace I" she cried, springing
forward, 81 did not know you had re-
| turned from town"
1.-TWO hours ago, dear"
''Why, aunty, you have been crying
| You have heard bad news !"
''No, dear, no news of any kind.
ssAnd you have my boquet in YOU
hand" said the young girl in wonder
ing voice. 81 thought you did not like
tea roses.
'I found this on the table.
eyes; Harold brought it to me, and
tossed it down there when we went t.
play croquet | have had to dodge Har
old all day, auntie," she added, laugh
ing; she is bent upon making pro
posal, and am not ready for one.
''Oh, Ethel, my dear child, do MOI
trifle with him. If you do not love hlm
dismiss him at once. Human heart:
were never meant for playthings, anc
you may find, too late, your own bruised
and bleeding. | know the temptation
youth. beauty and wealth are to care
less nature, for L was like you twenty
wears ago. Sit here, darling, and / viii
tell YOU why | was weeping over you
| bouquet OF tea roses
Ethel took low seat beside her aunt
| to listen, and after moments pause
Grace Stanmore spoke:
81 was about your own age, Ethel
nearly nineteen, when / met Georg'
Holmes, a young artist, whose nam'
now has attained worldwide celebrity
He was even then known as an artist O
great talent and promise, and society
opened her doors wide to receive MN
/ scarcely know how to describe him t'
you. Shy in manner, he could be won
i by interest in his subject, to compiet'
self forgetfulness that would betral
him into positive eloquence. with
gentle courtesy and modesty, he was ye