Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-22

her mother at breakfast. was suddenly
dashed open, and out sprang female figure
There was a wild vision of flowing skirts AMI
bair streaming in the wind, a little arm aud
hand catching at the rein and dragging at it
for half a second or so; then all at once the
animal became as quiet as lamb, and hung
It's head curiOuSly over the female igure, now
PROSTATE on the pavement. Mr.. Howe flung
up the stairs to the parlOr flOor-not the
pretty Miss Purdy; bless you, no. Mr.. Howe
might have curvetfed and pranced there on
the two hind legs Of his horse till his fate was
determined forever, So far as the pretty Miss
Pnrdy was concerned. Besides, her back was
turned to the window: she was busy re-
preaching her sister, who had just entered the
dining room, and poor Mrs. Purdy was look
ing or, when suddenly they saw the childs
eyes become distended with wild horror,
and she flew, as it were, out the wi ndow lie
was all over then in few moments, and Mr.
Howe was carrying his unconscious burden
into the parlOr. The mother rushed away for
restOratives and doctor, and Mr.. Howe in
the next few minutes went far to rivet the
chains that bound him to the pretty Miss
Purdy. They were both hanging over the
couch of poor Lily, and the occasion was Ger,
emotions of both parties. Blanche was ex-
cessively fond Of her sister in her own way,
and the pitiable condition OF the poor child
was very alarming. Blanche trembed and
grew pale and it was necessary for the strong
arm of Mr.. Howe To support her.
Don't give way, Blanche he said, calling
life. my sweet Blanche, don't give way, for
my sake-fOr all our sakeS."
Then Mrs. Purdy came into the room, and
shortly after the doctor arrived; and as soon
as the medical gentleman had declared there
was nothing very serious to fear, that it WAS
only slight conclusion OF the brain. and
with care and quiet all Won id be Well-aS
soon as Blanche was st ease about Lily, her
thoughts reverted to the tender accents and
Enthusiastically fond words of Mr.. Howe. And
the soul of the pretty Miss Purdy was rested
=
tedious wooing. would now be brought to
speedy and desirable end. The doctor went
away, Mrs. Purdy was called to some dOmes-
tic duty, and Mr.. Howe and the pretty Miss
Purdy were left there together. Mr.. Howe
was sitting quite close to Blanche, his elbow
on the arm of her chair, and his head resting
touching position for lover under the cir
cumStanceS. Blanche was quite content that
he should remain silent, feeling certain of
what was going on in his heart. All me. how
little. after all, we know of this unstable and
perfidiOuS organ! Its quipS and quirkS and
fandangOs pass all human understanding
Mr.. Howe sighed heavily, and b anche put
her hand Sympathizingly upon his arm. 1t
was pretty hand, slim and white, with rosy
nails and blue ytinS-a very pretty hand and
Mr.. Howe's other hand was dangling uselessly
at his side but he made no effort to take the
pretty little hand in his own.
Don't grieve, whispered Blanche; "please
don't. She's getting over it. See how regu-
larry she brealhes. She'll soon be well again;
Yes, but think of me- whispered Mr..
Howe, and whereas Blanche's whisper was
soft and melodiouS, his was hoarse and
broken. "OfcOurse she'll get OVERT, if moth
ing happens to put her back; but suppose,
when she is recovering, she finds out we're
engaged to be married, il II Kill her. it ii
break her heart and | shall be her murderer
Great Heaven; Blanche, you see. don't you,
that can't do it? It's the most Internally tor
menting thing that ever happened to a man
but can't marry one sister and kill another.
lflrI II rlr.n1
formal proposal for your hand, and let every
thing go by the board but our happiness
alone: but you know how Lily feels about me,
how she riSked her life for NEAL folly, of
course; could have managed the brute my
self, but Lily was teSide herself with fright,
and didn't know, poor child, what she was
what position all this places me in. man
would havetO be made OF stone to go any
farther just now
Don't, MIR. Howe-dOn't say any more"
said Blanche, in voice that sounded queer
TO herself, it was so strained and harsh. Il
should be sorry to have you feel more ridicu-
lous than you will when l tell you that you
have made great mistake all through"
Blanche paused moment to get her breath.
1t seemed to her that it almost had left her
body for while there when this man was
Blanche had never particularly loved any
body but herself, and her family as acceSSOr-
les TO herself. But she was, really capable of
a vast amount of love in this way; and, oh.
and tlamplPd upon
A mlslaker' he repeated.
Yes, mistake" said Blanche; "rather
RENAL kable one, under the circumstances. A
man should never take it prematurely for
granted thata woman will accept his offer of
marriage; In this case it was impossible. My
word is already given TO another
What" broke in Mr., Howe; engaged to
somebody else? Oh, that can't be. | can't
believe that, you know. This is all a Subter-
fuge, Blanche. Who is the man? what is his
name?'
~ can not understand" said Blanche,
coldly, now the matter can concern, you in
the least" Then, seeing look of sharp in
credulity in his face, she was stung to desDer-
alton, and mentioned the first name that Oc-
Cured to her. 1T is Mr.. Brewer" she said.
The man who holds your fathers mort
YES" replied Blanche; and then Mr..
Howe got upon his feet, and with one piercing
look of disdain upon the beautiful woman at
his side, bowed low to her. and said with her
permission he would go, but would, OF course.
call again in the course OF The day TO ask after
her sister, Then he took his leave without
glance at the poor pale girl that had caused
AS for Blanche, no sooner was he out the
door than she fell to crylng-bltterly, but I'M
der her BREATH and without any, unladylike
demonstrations. Not that she loved him,
mind; but she had been gOaded beyond en-
duTance, and without this relief of tears,
which are woman's safety-yalve, she could
not have been mistress of herself and her
plans.
All at once the poor girl on the lounge
struggled back TO consciousness, and opening
her eyes upon Blanche, was touched beyond
measure to find her in tears. 1t was really an
extraordinary thing, and Lily was not to be
blamed for taking these tears in pity to her
self. She put out her little cold hand aud
pulled the dress of Blanche, and begged her
not 70 cry.
Don't cry for me, Blanche" she said
"DOn't-pleaSe don't spoil your beautiful
eyes tor me. 1t matters little whether die
or live; think Id so much rather die if
could. 1t would be so much better for Us all
But tell me just one thing, Blanche dear,
please-oh do tell me, is he hurt?''
Blanche began TO respect Lily. There was
perSiStency about this passion of hers that
appealed to Blanche'S idea of power She
had always loved the child, in her own way
as a Purdy and part OF herself, but now she
began to respect her.
HE isn't hurt, you dear little goose" said
Blanche; "he has just left us, and will come
to see you again to day"
And was he very much out OF patience
with my-my absurdlty?' said Lily.
ION the contrary" replied Blanche, lit
quite touched the heart of his majesty aud
then such sweet gladneSS shOne in the
child s eyes, such pretty color rushed to her
cheeks, her face became so suddenly radiant
with an ineXplicabe warmth of tenderness
and emotion, that Blanche found it far from
| plain. II the couch had been crimson instead
of blue, If Lily,s hair had been arranged
gracefully, if instead Of that stiff white collar
| some soft yellow lace were about her neck,
| revelation seized the fertile fancy of Blanche,
and trlx ,tpSY N. OF hot