Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-15

Penroy, slowly weaving together the
wreath of scarlet autumn leaves with
which she was decorating her broad
brimmed straw hat.
She made beautiful picture sitting
there all alone il the mellow glow and
color of the October woods, crimson
shawl dropping from her shoulders, and
the sunshine lighting up her bright
auburn curls with glittering threads OF
gold, while upon the fallen tree trunk
that formed her impromptu seat lay o
tiny branch of ferns and sutumnal fow-
ers. She was transparently fair, with
purple veins iu each waxen temple and
faint pink bloom on her cheeks, while
her eyes, large and brown, seemed to
look at you with the grave, tender ex-
preston of an infant.
eyes, it is very strange" went on Miss
Penroy, musing within herself. 81
know so little about him; have only
known him about ten days, yet when he
spoke about leaving Elm Point last
night it seemed as if all the sunshine
was leaving the world for me. Oh,
Blanche naughty, naughty, naughty
little Blanche" she added, leaning for
ward, and apostrophizing the fair face
mirrored in the stream at her feet. "Is
itpossible that you've allowed yourself
to fall in love with that tall, black-eyed
young man? Ten days ago I had never
seen him-and nowp
The roses mounted up in her cheek rs
she wondered within herself whether
BIr. Evering cared for her.
Il wish / knew !" she muttered aloud.
"Knev whatY demanded q calm
voice, and Mr.. Gilbert Evering took up
the bunch Of flowers and coolly seated
himself beside her-a tall, handsome
man, with brilliant dark eyes, rather ir-
regular features, and deep color glow
ing through his olive skin.
Blanche demurely looked up at him
she was not to be taken by storm thus
easily-and asked:
"Do you think il will ain tomorrow.
For our picnic want to wear my white
India shawl ?"
"Oh, the picnic had forgotten
that when spoke OF leaving tomorrow.
OF course, though, my presence or alb
sence will make no great difference p
Blanche was silent Somehow that
scarlet and brown spotted leaf required
q good deal of adjustment in that ribbon
of her hat.
Blanche, shall go or stay 2
"As you please, Mr.. Evering, Of
course"
"No; as somebody else pleases. Yes
or mol And I forewarn you that yes
means great deal"
"How much does IL mean" ques.
toned Blanche, half archly, half timor-
ously.
Everything r.
"Then You may stay"
"My Blanche-my little daisyl" he
whispered, bending his stately head
over the slender hand that lay on the
autumn leaves. And Blanche felt that
in the golden stiffness of that October
evening she had turned new page in
the book Of her life !
She was very, very happy, and all that
day she seemed 10 be walking through
the bright mysteries Of dream. But
with the morning came other feelings;
alasi that shadow should always follow
sunshine in This world Of ours.
"Pm not disposed to DO unreasonable,
Blanche I" said Gilbert, in whisper, as
he arranged her white lace shawl for
her. amid the merry tumult OF the pic.
mic ground, but i do think you have
waltzed quite often enough with Mr..
Birmingham |"
"Jealous already, Gilbert 7" taunted
The girl, flushed and rosy with the
triumphs of her beauty, and the ire
sistible instincts OF coquetry.
"of course you'lI do as you please,
Blanche; only war; you, It's choice
between Walter Birmingham and me
You dance with him again at your own
risk T.
At the same instant he came mp.
May have the pleasure Of th'
polka with Jou, Miss Penroy 2
And Blanche, defiant, wiIlful and /
little piqued, answered, eyes"
She elided away with her hand O,
Walter Birmingham's shoulder. 0iIber