The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-12


"Why should she watch Langthorne,
pray % asked Blanche, securely.
"Heaven knows! fancy she hates him,
perhaps because doesn't make eyes at Isabel
la Do you mind how she always wedges
herself in when we are off for picnic, no
matter whose clothes are jammed? | went
to the last one, in spite Of neuralgia, just
to oblige her to stay behind. There was
| Just room for one more, and she was all
ready with her bonnet on. How she must
have blessed me She's as good as play ;
and wonder Captain Despard doesn't see
through her she throwing Isabella at his
head all the time"
"Aud he returns a kiss for a blow, eh,
| Clara?" and then Blanche snufed out the
candle. Blanche had headache next day,
which confined her to her room. Clara
Clew, the Turner'S, Captain Despard, and
Mrs. Vexer had gone up Mount Washington.
Langthorne had joined a hunting party the
previous day, and was after bear whose
tracks they had found on Mount Hayes, or
Mrs. Nexer would never have consented to
leave Isabella, who offered a cold as an ex-
cuse for not making one of the excursion
lists. When they came clattering home,
singing through the twilight, Blanche crept
down stairs to welcome them. 1t must be,
she thought that Langthrone had returned
and was waiting for her on the piazza. How
beautiful the far stars were, palpitating
above the Pilot range, and the mist on
Mount Surprise shining like hoar-frost !!
What an illuminated page in her history
had this summer at Gorham furnished But
Miss Aurora and her sister Truth were alone
on the piazza, lending helping hand to
their returning guests.
"Where is my daughter, Miss Aurora ?"
was Mrs Vexer's first cry.
"My daughter, oh, my daughterw quoted
Clara Clew, ssile.
"Niss Isabella? Oh, Brown carried her
and her bag over to Shelburne this afternoon
directly after dinner in the sundown," an-
svered Miss Aurora
"To Shclburne And her bag. With her
cold"
''She wanted to meet friend there, she
said ; and she asked me TO tell you not to
look for her back tonight, so that you need
MT worry -
"Needn't worry, indeed - and Mrs. Vex-
er moved away in dudgeon.
ooh, sharper than a serpents tooth p put
in Clara Clew. "Pray, Miss Truth, hasn't
Mr.. Langthorne killed his bear yet? should
think it had nine lives. | anticipated bear
steak for breakfast"
! 81 guess you needn't worry about him.
He came back about four this afternoon, and
there was a telegram that came for him
about an hour after Miss Vexer left and I
helped him pack his things, he was in such
a tearing hurry, and he took the down train.
Oh, you here, Miss Deshler? How's your
head? Won't you have some tea?"
'Im all right, thanks" said Blanche.
isn't Mr.. Langthorne coming back %
pur sued Clara.
'He didn't say, and didn't ask him." an
swered Miss Truth, jocosely. 81 dare say
Miss Deshler there can tell you. He paid
his bill, and we shan't have to send for him
unless you request it, Miss Clara"
(Which 1 shall do when the moon turns
to green cheese" said Clara.
But all at once the lovely outlines of the
hills, the stars that leaned earthward, the
mists that glimmered upon the slopes, were
blurred and blotted by the tears that gather
ed in two dark eyes.
you and are widowed tonight" sale
Captain Despard, letting the flame of the
match he struck to light his cigarette shine
on her tears an instant. "Let us be misera-
BILE together The night time is for sea
son but joy cometh in the morning." he
said, solemny.
at looks exactly as if you'd refused
Langthorne," declared Clara at bed time
81 don't take any stock in that telegram
and I've always heard you were flirt." But
Blanche's face was hidden in her pillow,
and the darkness was friendly 10 her sor-
row.
Half a dozen ladies were lowering over
the cheerful blaze in the parlor next day
for the mornings were growing chilly, when
|
Vexer was straining her eyes to catch sight
of her returning daughter; Kate Turner was
counting stitches in slipper Blanche was
reading novel upside down; while Des-
pard and Clara Clew were guessing puzzles
and conundrums.
Letters for Miss Deshler, Miss Clew and
Mrs. Vexer," cried Miss Aurora.
"For mer' exclaimed Mrs. Vexcr, tear
ing it open, "and from Isabella What
does it mean ?" She ran her eyes over it has
tily, and lifted them to Blanches face which
was hidden behind sheet of paper that
trembled visibly.
81 see that you have letter. too, Miss
Deshler; presume that one explains the
other. We will exchange, if you please"
said Mrs. Vexer, loftily.
Blanche rose and staggered to the fire ;
then she seemed to reconsider and turned,
saying, Perhaps you ought in justice to
see it first, Mrs. Vexer because-because it
exonerates Mr.. Langthorne-in part; and
these are all friendly people here, or mean
to be-
"You may be surprised at my sudden de-
parture without saying adieu, my dear Miss
Deshler," it reads, "but feel certain that
you are enough my friend to give me oy at
the successful manner in which have out.
witted Mrs. Vexer, and won Isabellas con.
sent to our marriage, which took place here
at Shelburne only an hour ago, Allow me
to say that should have hesitated to ac
the part have during this pleasant sum
mer, had | not known, through your ole
friend, Miss Clew, of an understanding be
tween yourself and Mr. Pennon. Ions
may he wave!
Respectfully yours.
L. LAEGTHoRNE.