The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-07-02
THE CHAMPAGNE CORK.


Half o dozen, young men sat chatting
over their champagne, after a lively sup
per, with Harry Beaumont, at his.
mothers delightful Village near Rich
mond. As the hour grew late, and the
guests reluctantly spoke Of their de-
parture, the young host, at parting,
called on them to drink one more glass
to the Gloves OF their hearts,"
"And especially to your mothers
charming guests, Grace and Mary
Bloomwoodp "a added Frank Treverton,
the gayest OF the party, bowling TO Harry
Beaumont.
"And why do you omit their cousin
Blanche T asked Harry. "She is worth
both OF the beauties put together. For
any man who could put up with The
plain setting, she's Jewell"
"ls she" returned Frank, carelessly.
swell, pVe thought SO once or twice
myself. But ills pity, for she's con-
foundedly plainly, aud will never get a
husband unless by chance"
"Ihe more fools they. that overlook
her." said Harry. ~.
"Why don't you appropriate her
ySurssif, thenf asked two or three of
his companions.
"lp' exclaimed Harry. "0hl Pm in
love with beauty myself, and could
not think OF such a thing-but that only
proves Pm fool like the rest Of you"
II declare, Harry, you almost per-
suade me to take her." cried Frank. eat
all events Pd be willing to run the risk
of having happiness thrust upon me.'
Beside, 'tis a shame such a fine girl
should not have one chance for hus-
band. What say you allp Suppose we
agree that the fellow that is hit by the
cork, which Harry is. going to let fly,
shall offer himself to Miss Blanche, and
thus be made happy Tor lie in spite OF
himseltr'
"Agreedw cried some OF the party.
Others, however, demurred. Az last,
after some debate, the resolution was
carried, with the proYiso that prior at
taohment should be an exemption from
the decree.
Harry cut the wire, and the cork, after
yaullng almost TO the ceiling, de-
scended plump on the mead of the orig
inator Of the proposal,
"Dished, by Jove!" cried the luckless
hero, when ne felt the fatal tap on his
crown, while roars of laughter from his
unsympathizing companions attested
their enjoyment of the humor and JUS
Tlce Of the hat, as well as perhaps their
sense OF personal relief at their own
escape.
: well, Pm In for it," cried Frank,
after a heavy gasp. "HOWever, P.l
stand by my bargain. Pil offer myself
as per agreement, aud trust to my lucky
stars fol, a REFUSAL"
A derlsive jeer, and the universal ex-
clamation, mo hopes OF thaU-no hopes
Of thatV damped his rising spirits at
view OF his.mode OF escape.
"Why nol!' he asked, rather family.
"SAe, plain and poor-you, handsome
and rlch,' returned one ol the party,
laconically.
Frank sighed; he felt the force Of cir
Gums tanceS.
And now, reader, it is time for me 10
| let you Into secret.
Inc Whole OF the strange conversation
l have described was overheard by the
person most interested i'll it, namely,
blahche BloomWood herself; ior with
the other young ladies, Grace and Mary,
| she had gone into the conservatory ad-
joining the dinlng-room, and there, in
consequence OF the raised voices of the
young men at their supper, had recOg-
nizeu her name. The result added one
more confirmation to the truth OF the
prOYerb about "lis teners hearingno goou
Of themselves"
1t is needless to say that Blanche's
feelings OF modification and ANNOYANCE
on this occasion were severely painful.
The reader may well imagine That as the
conversation prOgres sed sue blushed-
she hid her lace-she tried to stop ner
ears, and being prevented from ma king
her escape by her companions, who
rogulshly held her still, fearing any
movement might betray them, she nnaily
sat, pale ana quiet, WhIle tears of rea
| 81 10 To
| But what of that? What if another
and yet keeAer pang mingled with the
| modification she felt at hearing her
name 30 disrespectfully mentioned
| What il, like a silly, susceptible glrl as
she was, She had been foolish enough to
| look too often aud too kindly Oh Frank
| TreVerton's open lace, till warm and
tender feeling lor him mad almost uncou-
sciously sprung up in her imprudent
heart? We are not going to accord her
any sympathy on that account-sne had
no business to look--no BUSINESS to feel.
she was pam as II pike-staH-and what
business have PLAIN women TO be look.
ing about, or nave any feeling, especially
as no one Is likely TO LOOK al Or leel any
thing for them? No, it was most repre-.
hensible in our heroine, and She has got
TO take the consequences-to receive hel
punishment, which is coming.
On the following day Frank, who was
one OF those persons who IKE tV remove
the pressure ol a disagreeable, impend
ing duty, by instantly performing ii.
called on Blanche to get throtgh the
task his folly had imposed on him. Be
sides, he snrewdly imagined tnat by
making mis- offer suddenly, without any
preliminary, advances, he greatly III
creased his chances Of a refusal.
AS Tor poor Blanche, she had passed a
sleepless night. Sue had been larassed I'd
by distressing thoughts. Surely hers
was a trial OF a peculiar kind. Sne fell
that she loved Frank-and felt as plain
" that he had never even given her q
thought; yet, by strange chance, she
saw MIN about to put himself in hel
power. She had but To accept his offer
and honor would bind him to ner. Alter
ward-eO the tempter whispered-sh,
lcouid win his heart--she would ther
have an opportunity which was now de
MED her; and if, after all, she fount
this hope vain, she would then releas,
him, and be no worse off than she Wai
now. But opposed TO this special plead
ling came her Woman's prlde-her wo
mans delicacy, which forbade her to ac
cept a feigned SUIT, OF to force hersel
on any man.
Alter such disturbed night, durinj
which every distressing thought visltet