The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1877-04-28

beauty to attract ADMIRERS, or 10 con-
uuer a husband; but this knowledge was
not sufficient to conquer her ambition.
Her utter homeliness was q continuous
source of bitterness to her. The look
ing-glass, like perfidious adviser, exer-
cised the worst influence upon her char
acter. Being the Commodore's daugh-
ter, almost all the officers under her
fathers command paid court to her.
She felt nothing but contempt for them,
as she knew the ways of the world
sufficiently to guess the real motives
of their attention yet she looked pleased,
and treated them as friends. Woe to
those who neglected paying her homage!
They were noted as rebels, and dealt
with as such.
Foremost among her acquaintances
was Lieutenant Washburn, a young man
of whom superiOrs and comrades were
equally proud. Blanche displeased him
at first sight. Frank and open-hearted
as he was, he could not disguise his feel
ing under any consideration, and ac-
cordingly, in his intercourse with her,
he kept himself within the boundaries of
a conventional civility. Blanche was
the more indignant at this GOODNESS, be-
cause of all the young men who visited
her she liked him best She could not
help admiring the independence of his
character; but by her efforts to win his
attention she succeeded only in repelling
him. One day, improving an oppor-
tunity afforded him by the conversation,
he passed the remark, while he looked
steadfastly at her, that under no circum-
stances did it become a woman to court
a man. Her pride was deeply wounded
from that moment, and she took all the
care in the world to hide her feelings.
Her love, indeed, turned to hatred. She
missed no opportunity to show disdain
for him. But the more she tried to sting
with her sarcasm, the less attention he
paid to her. Things were pushed SO far
at last that, upon one occasion, he re-
fused her what he was always ready to
give to any body-one of his sketches.
Thereupon she declared to him that she
would have a score for the one he had
refused her. In fact, by asking all the
officers for sketch of Lieutenant Wash
burns, she was soon in possession of a
numerous collection. Among those
sketches was rather comic portrait of
Captain Powers, a masterpiece of satiri-
cal drawing. When Washburn called
she told him boldly of the collection she
had made, and from that evening the
Lieutenant was seen at Mrs. HarwOod's
only when the Commodore gave his
official receptions.
Blanche's jealousy was intensely
aroused by Mrs. Horizons narrative. AS
soon as the lady had gone she shut her.
self up in her room to think. ''Perhaps
he likes her!" she muttered between
her teeth; Sand now they will eventu-
ally meet again." Visions of her rivals
happiness seemed to rise before her.
She was furious! "No!" she exclaim-
ed, pacing the floor, angrily, 81 will
not have it! They shall not meet!" A
bitter smile came over her lips as she
added, mcckingly, "Oh! Captain Pow
ers will arrange that, without doubt! l
know the mani"
To take the Captains portrait from
her portfolio; to put Washburn's name
to it in printed letters; to place it in an
envelope, and address it to the Captain,
in altered handwriting this was but
the work of a minute. Then, with. the
same -apidity, having put on her shawl
and hat, off she went to drop her pack
ct into the post-office. She felt now
as if she could wait patiently for the re-
suit.
In the evening Mrs. Horton and her
daughter arrived. At sight of Rose,
Blanche felt as if knife had entered her
heart. She saw before her a young girl
as beautiful as she herself had ever
wished to be. With hatred in her heart,
she greeted the young girl with her kind
est smile, and the latter was completely
deceived by this show of sympathy and
In fact, Rose was too sin
cere herself to suspect malignity in any
one, and was only too glad to find in this
stranger friend, if not a sister. A few
minutes sufficed to establish close init
macy between them. Rose was girl
whose faith could not be shaken by ev-
cry blow of wind; consequently, al
though disappointed at not finding her
unknown in the album, she persisted i'm
believing that he was, indeed, a naval
officer. Plans were laid for the future
They would search every
where, hotel receptions, etc., etc.
Roses hopes grew from minute to min
ute.
In the meanwhile had Edgar Wash
burn ever thought of the fair young girl
whom chance had thrown in his path?
AS he was by no means Il man to pub
lish the secrets of his heart, we are I'M
able to answer this question. Still, on
the very morning of Roses arrival in
he handed Capt. Powers Il pc
tition for two weeks leave, on the plea
of an engagement in New York. As
sured by the Captain that his wish would
not only be complied with, but that the
more important matter of his promotion
would be pushed forward, Edgar had
that day resumed his duty with a lighter
heart than usual.
Toward evening he was informed that
Captain Powers wished to see him with
out delay. He stepped down to the
Captains cabin joyfully, supposing that
this order had reference to his leave of
absence; but, upon entering, he saw at
once that storm was brewing. The
Captains countenance, usually SO calm
and friendly, was now like thunder
cloud.
Lieutenant" Captain Powers said,
sternly, shave you ever had reason to
complain of me, either as superior or
as fellOw-man?''
"Never, Captain; quite the contrary"
the young man replied, much surprised
at this question.
"Have 1, in any way, forfeited all
claims to the respect of my subordi-
nates?'
"Sir, returned Edgar, with increased
81 know not why you
put such questions to me, even in joke"
"Answer me-" resumed the Captain,
"yes or MOP"