Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-06-01

vlction, however, she dressed herself with
particular care, (for n plain woman is
more regardful of such things than
pretty one), and the silly child could not
help thinking OF possibilities. Therefore,
wber Frank was announced, as he was
shortly. she went down to the drawing
room perfectly aware of his erraDd, and
perfectly aware, too, of her answer
Frank, the elegant and perhaps too con.
fident man of the world, was evidently
not himself on the occasion. He was
manifestly confused and embarrassed. =
He spoke hurriedly of a thousand things,
passing abruptly from one subject to an
other. The composure Of his companion
gradually restored his tranquility, in a
measure /; but his agitation returned as
often as he thought of offending her dig
nifty by the blow he mediated. There
was something, too, of sensibility and
tenderness in her face, which made him
shrink from wounding her feelings. He
procrastinsted, and the longer he delayed,
Iue HloIc ItHpOsSlOle SceIleu MS tdSk LOT
the more he conversed with Blanche, the
higher he was obliged to estimate her
character. More than once, charmed by
the briliancy of her conversation and the
graces of her manner, he half determined
to defer his offer till he knew her better,
feeling that it might possibly one day be
tpuAa in a yarx, IiR.rapf e.;rif
The morning WAS already far spent ere
he called up resolution to say, Miss
Blanche, have called here to day on a
most disagreeable-I mean-most agree
able, though, rdinary-errand-
A warm blush rushed to Blanche's
face ; she trembled visihly; and Frank
went on with forced bravery. miss
Blanche" he said, " I'm here to offer you
my hand" He stopped abruptly. at a
loss how to round his periods.
Poor Blanche's heart palpitated so fast
that she could not speak. During the
silence which followed, Frank recovered
from his embarrass ssment enough to notice
and wonder at hers but Blanche soon
composed herself
Mr.. Treverton," she said. in n low.
distinct voice, =" | shall not ask YOU what
has impeled you to make your strange
offer. 1t is enough for me to be sure that
you do not love me, and poor and plain
trough am, | cannot forego affection in
husband. l feel, too, that it was not
kind Of you to-
She could go no further. The coming
Hood Of tears threatened to wash away
all her dignity. She made hastily for
the door.
Frank, wcll-nigh melted to tears him
self at the sight of imprisoned sorrow
followed her, and caught her hand at the
door 10 detain her. There was some.
thing within the hand he seized which
she left within, and she escaped from
him. just managing to say, with con-
vusve smile:
A keepsake ~
! Frank clenched his hands upon the tri-
fe, without thinking to look at 1t till af-
ter be had taken two or three turns up
and down the room, during which he
heartily rated himself for his folly and
unkindness, and as heartily pitied poor
Blanche. When he Enclosed his hand.
he saw something carefully wrapped IN
silver paper lie unfoded it and round n
champagne cork
1t would be dicmcult matter to des-
crba Franks feelings os h. la,tbo bouso
and wa.Ned homoward. He had made
ne escape met with the refusal he had
hoped for; yet he did not seem the light
hearted fellow one might have expected
In fact, Blanche's intelligence, gentle
ness and refinement of manners, still
more, her digniiled rejection of his suit
made deep impression on him. Per.
haps, too, with mans ready intuition or
such points. he OWNED the state of hen
feelings towards him, for men are vain
creatures, and quick enough to soc, i
necessary, TO imagine what fatters them
AT all events, the keepsake proved tina
she was cogniZant Of the motives which
induced him to make his unlucky offer
and her feelings under such circumstan
ces offered curious subject for specu
lation, especially il his surmise as to heI
state of mind was correct. He therefor,
felt himself called upon, if only matter
of curiosity, to investigate the latte
poin..
, Phllosophic Investigations, however
well attended, ARE dangerous under Ger
tain circumstances. This truth Franl
discovered long before his course of stud,
was complete. He fell so deeply in low,
as even to satisfy the requirements Of
plain woman on that point.
Some superficial observers may thnl
this is not saying much. tell them j
is saying great deal-since, in addition
to the love which would satisfy hand
some woman, a plain one demands n
much more as shall quiet her doubts q
her own power of attraction.
But, as l have said, poor Franks in
fatuation vas complete. He was evel
heard to say that the hsppest momen
of his life wa. that in which Blanche con
. fessed To him that though she did no
Z choose that her fate for life should be de
cided by the popping OF n champaign
: cork, she had loved him then and eve
e since.