Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-05-09
THE WITHERED BOUQUET,
BY ANNA SHIELDS.

foot of the lawn, and many hard hit
ball sprang over the light iron fence,
to float merrily down the sunny ripples
to freedom. Over the heads of the
players stately trees met to shade them
from the rays of the July sun, and
wherever the eye could reach, flowers
were spread in rich profusion.
EthelStanmore, only child and heiress
of this stately estate and the superb
house that lifted its marble walls be-
hind her, was leader and chief pro-
moter of all gay meetings for miles
around Stanmore. It was her inge-
nuity that contrived outdoor theatri-
Gals and tableaux, with natural scenery
for background and wings. It was
Ethel who made up the most delightful
picnics and the gayest of parties. She
was always discovering cozy little
hooks for luncheons, tiny half-hidden
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 q
graceful, winning form, and she was
lively. good-tempered, and a little bit
OF coquette. Uniting with all this
the fact that she was the only child Of
q wealthy New York merchant, it is
not a matter for astonishment that
Ethel was Il belle, fattered, courted,
and vain OF her pretty face and power
to please.
Suitors were certainly 10: wanting
to encourage this vanity, and the gay
little lady fitted from one pleasure to
another, certain OF attention and de-
| vOtlOn wherever she moved
II
about, on the sunny July afternoon of
which l write, one of her most devoted
cavaliers, playing against her, was
the effect OF green and gold. as illus
trated by the little beautys ribbons
and curls. He was a tall young man,
of the English type OF ma;ilv Beauty.
| broad-cheSted, stTong-limbed. with
curling brown hair and large blue
eyes, and a mouth uniting strength
and sweetness III q rare degree, as his
disposition united & mans power With
the spirit of boy.
He could meet Ethel Stannnor;. upon
equal ground of position. wealth and
birth, and very promising 1iirta,ion
had sprung up between the two
Lookers-oG wondered if this was TO be
a match, or only one of Ethel's amuse.
mcnts, and Harold Goldy himself set
his teet,a hard at soma of The careless
coquetries that boded II for the sue
cess of his suit
! With all the strength OF 4 nature
that was sincere and earnest, IN spite
of surface merriment, the yolsng man
| loved the pretty blonde, reading the
sweetness Of her disposition, and the
sterling good qualities of her heart
and mind, as get untried by any OF
Efe's rough discipline
He waited, hoped and trusLea that
he could win the heart ;,s coveted, and
he sued Ior 1t VITA patiens, manly de-
yotion. wiling to give all homage TO
| the weaker one, vet never criEr:.~ il
sorely tried by Ethels careless man
| ner.
The game w:as over and another w.ls,
being formed, when Ethel pleaded
fatigue and ran into the house, leaving
Harold fast bound by .Ae ,nai:.,t IL
| had taken, believing she would b.. his
partner. IN the wide, cool drawing
room the young girl threw herself into
a deep armchair, and was half asleep
before she detected 4 figure half hid
! den by the window curtains.
Aunt Grace T. SHE cried, s'ringing
forward :; did not know you had
retained from town"
WY "2trns n2ntie .a s.,,. s's,a hive been cry.
! ing, Iou have heard bad news ~
| " No dear, no news of any kind"
:" And you have my bouquet in your
hand" said the young girl, in won
| dering voice. 81 thought you did not
| like tea roses.
Il found this on the table"
"Yes Harold brought it to ale, and
L tossed it down here wl.o., we went to
play croquet. lsave had 30 dodge
Harold all Gay, arlntie," she added,
laughing she is bent upon making
| proposal, and an not ready for cne."
'fOh, Ethel, my dear chila, do not
trifie with him. II yoe do not love
| him, dismiss hiEu at once. Human
| hearts were never meant orpIaythings,
and vo, may find, too late, your own
bruised and bleeding. I know the
temptation youth, beauty and wealth
are TO a careless nature, for | was like
| you, twenty years ago. Sit heco. ttar-
ling, and l viii tell yoa Why was
weeping over your bouquet of tea
| roses"
Ethel tock a low scat beside her
aunt, to listen, and after moments
pause Grace Stannlofe spoke
Il was about your own age. Ethel,
nearly nineteen, when / met George
| Holmes, 81 young artist, whose nalna
| now has attained worldwide celebrity.
| He was even then known lsan artist ii
! great talent and promise, and society
| opened her doors wide to receive ;1i:,?.
| Shy III manner, he could be won i3<- H.
terest iii his subject, to = complete
self forgetfulnessth thatwonld i,etray him
into positive eloquence. With u gentle
courtesy and modesty, he was vet
manly and dignit;ed whe,, 1.He.2s:oa re-
quired.
i was then, ILL.,, yonrseff, an Ieicass,
pettcd arst cottrted, and really believ-
ling IL my own heart that I WAS Il little
Eabove the rest Of humanity IL virtg1e q
my pretty face, my accomplishments
and my wcli-hlte,} purse. [ had SUI
tors and friends. and f:cted awav their
respect in more than ore case. It gave
me pleasant sense os power t. lcaG
my lovers on to pTopoS4., and then
hopes bv :, r.sf:;sal. 4 pa.try ami l.
tion tnat Lros. glit It's punishment.
|. For it was not I2any weeks afser I
met hIm, that found i loved Seorge
Holmes with III vke strength OF ny
heart, Ro Eeves tiattored NE, yet q
word or hook OF approval from him
would please ,.ao as no honeyed speech
had ever done before. Uewas respectful
To me, as @ woman, hsst never paid
subseryient homage 30 my position or
wealth l ti.ink he knew that I was
not all the vain butterfly of fasliion
Others believed he. ana tka thought Of
this aroused all tha5 Na= true in my
nature. In lis. presence I dropped
my vanitI. .nts eoiuetry, and tried *
, reos his own mental powers and pure
Ehigh-toned conversation. He taugh
ne some Of the delight 2 knowledge O
art gives to the sight of = fine ,r,ss:4i,siElE
or piece of sculpture. IIe srained III.
eyes for me till e,eGy flower, every sun
4 set, eveeJ sight II nature acquired {
!. ne@. beauty.
). He guided me through hlgsAeswatk
r of iitnratJJrs than 7 had ~. tHn1Y1tPi