Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-12-03
THROUGH THORNS.
A Genuine Thanksgiving.
By ELEANOR kirk.

By ELEANOR kirk.
81 sometimes wish I hadn't a dollar
in the world"
The speakers tones were impa-
tient, and her dark, luminous eyes
flashed fire and dropped tears at the
"Exactly! I don't wonder at it ~
said young gentleman, raising from
the sofa, where he had been partially
reclining, and, to all appearance, very
much at bis ease. ~ think ] shonld
wish the same thing, if were in yonr
place." he continued, carelessly. "Pon
honor, Miss Blanche, I sympathize
with You thoroughly. 1T must be
hard to say No. to so many; and
then, I suppose, you hate to call them
all fortune-hunters. 1t must be a
dreadful bore - and the young mau
yawned and looked at his watch.
"You are not golug?" his compan-
ion enquired, as he stepped toward
the door.
ayes, must. am already full
halfhour behind time, and my next
patient is two miles away. Don't
fret too much, Lady Blanche. There
is nothing in life worth many tears ~
"'rbat is the remark Of g cynic, Dr.
Dryton."
GAN the better for that. Your dis
ease is a radical one, and needs radi-
cal treatment, and after a while VIC
shall have y radical cure. showing
itself by charming little womanly
freaks, such as a Irritation now and
then
'God forbid.'' was the earnest re
ply. "Rather sickness all the days
of my life than such cure as that"
''Au revoir, then! If the illness
was only in my line, I'd have you
well in a jify; but who can minister
to a mind diseased, especially when
the cause springs from superfluity
OF funds"
The words were playfully spoken,
and the whole attitude Of the man
seemed the very person,fcation of
frank friendliness; and the eyes Of
his companion tell under the intense
glance which seemed TO pierce her
very soul, and without a parting
word she sought her own room, and
gave full v,nt to her emotion.
Blanche De Berri and John Dray.
ton were diStantly ralatpd hut had
been acquainted only a short time
Blanche was born in England and
educated in Paris. Her father, just
before his death, had written to his
cousin, Mrs. Drayton (John's mother),
requesting that she would take charge
of his daughter. This letter was cor
daily responded to, and a few
months afterward found Blanche De
Berri an inmate of the pleasant home
Of her fathers old friend.
Mrs. Drayton was very glad of her
society. She had but one child, and
be was so devoted to his profession
that she saw very little of him; and
consequently an educated, attractive,
sweet-ten!pered lady companion was
an exceedingly valuable acquisition.
Miss De Berri had been with her
friends two years when her story opens
and though she had not formally
on account Of her mourning-entered
society, she had, nevertheless, made
many acquaintances, and, as it ap-
pears, had been annoyed by more
than one formal offer of marriage.
Mrs. Drayton had very innocently,
but indirectly, mentioned the fact Of
her proteye's large fortune, and
Blanche attributed the pa, tiality in-
dicated by these gentlemen entirely
to this cause.
"She's rather down in the mouth,
tonight, l take it," said John Dray-
ton to his mother. as he buttered a
huge slice of bread.
1t was an hour past dinner-time,
and the ladies, obeying the Doctors
commands never to wait for him, had
eaten alone.
"How can you, John?" replied the
mother, as strain of Mendelssohn
foated in from the drawing-room.-
81 never knew how to be unjust be-
fore; and, another thing, l never
knew you could be coarse until she
came to live with u.s."
"Coarse, is it, mother? l guess you
are right there! But that girl had a
queer effect upon me; she has brought
to the surface hundred traits nev-
err knew l possessed, principal among
which | might name"
"Name what?" as the speaker
paused mischieyously.
II wont mention it, mother. 1t is
on the dis list, and is very Intimately
related to-to disgust. Shocked
again?" as his companion moved her
chair away, and busted herself in an
other part Of the room. II guess I'll
dro,n II ond hoar hor nlav - continued