The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-10-29
SeIett STORY.
ADOPTED

sls Is very strange, muttered Blanche
Peuroy, slowly weaving together the wrath
OF scarlet autumn leaves with which she
was decorating her broad-brimmcd straw
hat
She made beautiful picture sitting
there ali alone IN the mellow glow and
color Of the October weeds, crimsoa
shawl dropping from hcr shoulders, aud
the Sunshine lighting up Der bright su-
burn eurls With glistering threads Of gold,
while upon the fallen tree trunk that
Termed her impFompta seat lay tiny
branch Of ierus aud autamnsl aoEers-
She was iranspareally fair, Eith purple
vsiss IN each vaxcn temple aud faint
pink bloom on her checks, while her eyes,
large and brown, seemed 20 lock Al you
with the grave, tender expression Of aa
infant
AYES, il IS very strange, Weat % Miss
Penroy, musins within herself 81 knoE
50 lisiie about him; have oaly kuown
him about ten days, yet when be spoke
about leaving Elm Point last night il
seemed as II al the sunshine vas leaving
the world for me. Oh, Banehe--uaagh-
ty, naughty, naughty little Blsaehs !" she
added, leaning forward, and apossropbiE
log the fair face mirrorsd in the stream
at her feet. is il possible that you've
allowed yourself to iall in love vita that
tall, blackeycd yoang man Tea days
ago YOU had never seen him--and nov
The roses noansed up ia her cheek As
she wondered within herself whether Mr..
Evering cared for hsr.
II wish | knew she mattered aloud.
"Knew what ?" demanded calm voice,
aud Mr.. Gilbert Evering took up the
buueh of flowers aud coolly seated himself
beside her--a talI, handsome man, with
brilliant dark eyes, rather irregular feat
ures, and deep color glowing through
bis olive skin.
Blanche demurely looked up at him
she was not to be taken by storm thus
easily-aBd asked
"Do you think it will rain tomorrow ?
For our picnic want TO wear my white
India shawl.
a0h, the picnic / had forgotten that
when | spoke Of leaving tomorrow. Of
course, though, my presence or absence
will make no great difference
Blanche was silent. Somehow thai
scarlet aud brown spotted leaf required
good deal Of adjustment in that ribbon Of
her hat
blanche, shall 90 or stay
"As you please, Mr.. EEering, Of course.
"No as somebody else pleases. Yes or
NJ ! Aud forewarn you that yes means
a great deal.
"HOw much does it mean ?" questioned
Blanche, half archly, half timorously,
Everything
"Then you may stay.
"My Blanche-my little daisy he whis-
'pered, bending bis stately head over the
slender hand that lay on the autumn leaves.
And Blanche felt that 10 the golden still
ness Of that October evening she had
turned q new page 10 the book Of her life !
She was very, very happy, and all that
day she seemed to be walking through the
bright mysteries Of dream. But with
the morning came other feelings; alas !
that shadow should always follow sunshine
in this world of ours.
aIm not disposed to be unreasonable,
Blanche !" said Gilbert, in whisper, as
he arranged her white lace shawl for her,
amid the merry tumult of the picnic
ground, 'but | do think you have waltzed
quite often enough with Mr.. Birming-
ham r.
jealous already, Gilbert?" taunted the
girl, flushed and rosy with the triumphs
Of her beauty, and the irresistible instincts
of coquetry.
"0f course you'll do as you please,
Blanche; only / warn you, it's choice
between Walter Birmingham and me.
You dance With him again at your own
risk r
At the same instant he came up.
"May | have the pleasure of the polka
with you, Miss Penroy?'
And Blanche, defiant, willful and lit
tie piqued, answered, ayes"
She glided away with her hand on Wal
ter Birmingham's shoulder Gilbert had
no business to be so unreasonable.
His grave stern face rather startled her
as she came once more to the rustic scat
of twisted boughs, when the band was 81
lent, and Mr.. Birmingham had gone to
bring her glass of iced-lemonade,
"Gilbert, why do you look so cross p
because l have reason. l am sorry
you pay so little attention to my wishes,
Miss Penroy."
She drew herself up haughtily.
"You are beginning to dictate early,
sir r.
ttIT T - IL :lt o,i