Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-08-14
Withered Bouquet.

SmOOtniY Y-SHdFtu itt"u VI oOdllC.
IStanmole's aristocratic country
seat.
The shining waters rolled at the
loot otAhe lawn, and many a hard
| hit bail sprang over the light iror
fence, to float merrily down tile
sunny nipples.
Over the heads Of the players
stately trees met to shade them
from. the rays of the July sun.
Ethel Stanmore, only child and
heiress of this estate, was leader
and chief promoter of all the gay
meetings for miles around.
It was her ingenuity that con-
trived oatdoor theatricals and tab.
leaux, with natural scenery tor
background and wings.
1t was Ethel who made up the
most delightful picnics and the
gayest of parties.
She was always discovering cosy
little hooks for luncheons, tiny,
half hidden waterfalls for artists,
berry patches for the girls, and
/ JItOAS i0I l->f ~ O.
Nobody had such ferneries and
aquaiia, such mosses and hanging
baskets, as Ethel.
She was pretty, too, in grace
full, winning form, and was lively,
good tempered, and little bit of
coquetse.
Suitors were certainly not want
ing to encourage this vanity, and
the gay little lady fitted from one
pleasure 10 another, certain Of at
tention and devotion wherever she
moved.
AS she knocked the croque. balls
about. on the sunny afternoon OF
which / write, one of the most de
voted cavaliers playing against
her, was evidently much absorbed
in studying the effect OF green and
gold, as illustrated by the little
beauty S ribbons and curls.
lie was q tail young man, broad
chested, strong-limbed, with curl
ing brown hair and large blue eyes,
and mouth uniting strength and
sweetness III d rare degree, as his
disposition united man g3ower
with the spirit of boy.
He could meet Ethel Stanmore
upon equal ground of position,
wealth aud birth, and very prom
Using Irritation had sprung up be-
tween them.
Lockers on wondered Il this was
to be match, CT only one of
Etbels amusements, and Harold
Goldy himself set his teeth hard at
some of the careless coquet,ies
that boded Ill for the success Of
his suit.
With all the strength of a ma
| ture that was sincere and earnest,
in spite of surface merrimeut, the
young man loved the pretty blonde,
reading the sweetness of her dis
position, and the sterling good
qualities of her heart and mind, as
yet untrled by any Of lifa's rough
discipline.
He waited, hoped, and trusted
that he could win the heart he
coveted, and he sued for it with
patient, manly devotion, willing to
give all homage to the weaker one,
yet never cringing il sorely tried
by EthePs careless manner.
The game was over, and another
was being formed, when Ethel
pleaded fatigue and ran into the
house, leaving Harold fast bound
by the mallet be had taken, believ-
ing she would be his partner.
La the wide, cool drawing room
the young girl threw herself into
deep arm chair, and was half asleep
before she detected a figure hall
hidden by the window curtains.
"Aunt Grace" she cried, spring
ing forward, Il did not know you
had returned from town"
1.-TWO hours ago, my DEAR"
"Why, auntie. you have been
crying! You have heard bad
news %
mo, dear /; no news of any
kind"
"And you have my bouquet in
your hand, said the young girl, in
a wondering voice. Il thought
you did not like tea roses"
81 found this on the table,
Eyes Harold brought it to me,
and | tossed it down here when we
went to play croquet. l have had
to dodge Harold all day, auntie,' ,
she added, laughing, 'he is bent on
making proposal, and L am not
ready for QUE
ooh, Ethel, my dear child, dc
not trife with him. If you do moi
love him dismiss him at once
Human hearts we're never meant
for playthings. aud you may fn3
too late, your own bruised arc
bleeding. | know the temptation
youth, beauty and wealth are to 1
careless nature, for [ Was like yor
twenty years ago. Sit here, Gar-
ling, and I will tell you why I wa.
weeping over your bouquet of tea
roses
! Etha1 iOok a Iou caat I,oo;l l. -