Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-06-01
HER ONE CHANCE.


host, at parting called on them TO drink
one more glass TO the cloves of their
hearts,
" And especially to their mothers
charming guests, Grace and Mary
Bloomwood :" added Frank Treverton,
the gayest of the party, bowing to Harry
Beaumont.
:" And why do you omit their cousin,
Blanche ?" asked Harry "She is worth
both the beauties put together. For any
man who could put up with a plain set
ting, she's jewel"
" Is she ?" returned Frank, careless
ly. Well, I've thought so once or
twice myself. But It's pity. for she's
conioundy plain, and will never get a
husband unless by chance"
The more fools they that overlook
her." said Harry.
Il" Why don't you appropriate her your
self, then," asked two or three of his
companions"
II I" exclaimed Harry. "Oi I'm in
love with beauty myself, and could no,
think OF such thing-but that only
proves that I'm fool, like the rest OF
you"
" | declare, Harry, you almost pur-
susde me to take her," cried Frank. "At
all events, Id be willing to run the risk
ot having happiness thrust upon me. -
Beside, It's shame such fine girl
should not have one chance for hus-
band. What say you all ? 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 be
made happy COR life, in spite OF HIMSELF
Agreed ~ cried some of the party.
Others, however, demurred. At last,
after some debate the resolution was car
ried, with the proviso that prior at.
tachment should be an exemption from
the decree.
Harry cut the wire, and the cork, after
vauIting almost TO the ceiling, descended
plump on the head OF the originator OF
the proposal.
Disbed, by jove " cried that luckless
hero, when he felt the fatal tap on his
crown, while roars Of unsympathizing
companions attested their enjoyment ot
the bumor and justice of the fiat, as vel
, Ms perhaps :heir sense of relief at theil
own escape.
Well, I'm in for it." cried Frank
after heavy gasp. However, I'll of
fer myself as per agreement, and trus
/ to my lucky stars for n refusal"
A derislve jeer, aud the universal ex
clamation, No hopes Of that-no hope
of that - dampened his rising spirits a
view of hi, mode of escape.
Why not ?" he asked rather family
She, poor and plain-you handsom,
and rich " returned one of the party la
conically.
Frank sighed he felt the force of cir
cllmstances.
And now, reader, it is time for me to
let you into secret.
The whole of the strange conversation
| have described was overheard by tn,
person most Interested in it-namely
Blanche Bloomwood hersef for, will
the other young ladies', Grace aud Mary
she had gone into the conservatory nd
joining the dining-room and there, il
consequence Of the raised voices of tn
young men at their supper, had rccog
nized her name. The result added on
more confirmation TO .ne truth of th
proverb about !.i,steners hearing no ZOO
Of Themselves"
&c Is needless to say that Blanche
feelings OF modification and annoyanc
on this occasion were severely painful -
me reader may we'll imagine that as tn
conversation progressed she bushed-
she hid her face-she tried TO stop he
ears, ard being prevented from maxim
her escape by her companions, who rt
guishly held her still, fearing any NOV,
nent might betray them, she finally sa
pale and quiet, while tears of real agon
rolled down her cheeks.
But what of that i? What if anothc
and yet keener pang mingled with tn
modification she felt at hearing her nam
SO di.respec.fully mentioned ? What i
like the silly, susceptible girl that sh
: was, she had been foolish enough To loo
too often and too kindly on Frank Ire,
erton's open face. till a warm and tendt
feeling for him had almost unconsciousl
sprung up in her imprudent heart? w
are not going TO accord her any sympf
thy on that account-she had no bushes
To look-no business 10 feel. She WI
plain as "A pike -staff-and what bushes
have plain women TO be looking abou
, or having any feeling, especially as Il
one is likely 20 look at or feel for then
No, it was most reprehensible in our he
Dine, and she was TO take the consequel
ces--to receive her punishment. which
coming.
On the following day. Frank, who wi
one of those persons who like to reno,
hcpressure of a dissgreeable impendir
duty, by instantly performing it. callt
on Blanche TO get through the task h
folly Ind imposed on him. Beside |
shrewdlv imagined that by making h
offer suddenly. without any prelimna,
advances, he greatly increased his chan,
OF a refusal.
As for poor Blanche, she had passed
sleopless night. She had beer harass,
by distressing thoughts. Surely he
was trial of peculiar kind. She fc
: that she loved Frank and felt as plain
that he had never even given her
. thought vet. bv n stran0e cbsnce a