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

conversed with Blanche, the higher h
was obliged to estimate her character
More than once, charmed by the brillian
cy OF her conversation, and the grace o
her manner, he hall-determined to defer
bis offer till he knew her better feeling
that it might possibly, one day, be made
In a very different spirit.
The morning was already far spen
ere he called up resolution TO say, "M Isl
Blanche, have called here to-day ON
most disagreeable-I mean most agree a
BILE, e,though-extraoFdip dipary-eFrand-'
A warm blush rushed to Blapche's face
she trembled visibly; and Frank went oil
with forced bravery. "MIss Blanche, ;" h,
said. II am here to offer you my han(
T." He stopped abruptly, at losi
how to round mis- periods.
Poor Blanche's heart palpitated 81
quick that she could not speak. During
the silence which followed, Frank re
covered from his embarrassment enoqgl
to notice and wonder at hers; bu
Blanche soon composed herself.
"Mr. Treverton," she said, in low
distinct voice, II shall not ask you wha
has impelled you to make your strange
offer. 1t is enough for me to be sure tha
you do not love me, and, poor and plain
though am, can not iorego Affection
in husband. l feel, too, that it was
not kind in you to -"
She could get no further, The coming
flood OF tears threatened to wash away
all her dignity. She made hastily fol
the door.
Frank well-nigh melted to tears him,
self at sight of her Impassioned sorrow,
followed her and caught her hand at the
door TO detatn her.
There was something within the hand
he seized which she left within his, as
she escaped from him, just managing to
say with conyulsive smile:
IA keepsakeW
Frank clenched his hand upon the
tri1e without thinking to LOOK at it
till after he had taken two or three turns
up and down the room, during which h e
heartily rated himself for his folly and
unKindness. and as heartily pitied poor
Blanche. When he unclosed his hand,
he saw something carefully wrapped In
silver paper. He uuiolded it, and found
"a champagne cork
1t weuld be difficult matter to de.
scribe Franks feelings as ne left the
house and walked homeward. He had
made his escape, met with the refusal
he hoped for; yet he did not seem the
lig ght-learted Fellow one might have ex.
pected. In TACT, Blancne's Intelligence,
gentleness and refinement Of manners,
still more her dignitied rejection of his
suit, had made deep Impression on
him. Perhaps, too, with mans ready
intuition on such points, he OWNED the
state OF her feelings toward him, for
men are vain creatures, and quick
enough to see, or, il necessary, 10
imagine what flatters them.
all Ia boa alFn I
she was c0gnlZant OF h. e motives which
induced him to make his unlucky offer
and her feelings under such singular
circumstances offered curious subjec
tor his speculations, especially if his sur
| mise as to her state oil mlnd was cor
rect. He therefore felt himself calle,
upon, If only as mater OF mere CT
| riOsity, to investigate the latter point:
Philosophic Investigations, however
well intended, are dangerous under Ger
| tain circumstances. This truth Franz
discovered long before his course o
study was complete. He fell so deepl,
in love as even to satisfy the require
| ments OF a PLAIN woman on that point.
Some superficial observers may thinl
| that this is not saying much. ! tell then
| it is saying great deal-since in add
| tion to the love which would satisfy th,
| requirements OF u handsome woman,
pain one demands as much more a
shall quiet her doubts ot her own pow
ers of attraction.
But. as L have said, poor Franks in
| ia uatiOn was compete. He was eve
| heard to say that the happiest momen
of his lie was that in WIN .ch Blanch
confessed to MIN that, though she dit
not choose that her fate tor Lille shouI
De decided by the popping of d chan
pagAe CORK, sne had loved him then an
| ever since.