Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-21
The Sturp Teller.
PLAIN AND POOR.

son River party of youthful guests were as
sembled. Half dozen young men were chat
ting over their champagne after enjoying an
excellent supper. The hour grew late, and
they were discussing their departure the next
day, while their host, Harry Brinton was ex-
pressing his regret at losing such boon COM
panions.
more toast to our lady loves, and from fresh
bottle.'
sponse. "
Sand especially to your mothers charming
guests. Mary and Grace Carleton,'' added
Frank Tevis, the gayest of the party.
:.Why do you omit their cousin Blanche ~
asked Harry. SIN my opinion she is worth
both the beauties put together. For any man
who does not care for a plain setting she would
be a jewel of a wife. p
sWould she 90 returned Frank, carelessly.
"Well, 1 have rather thought so once or twice
myself ; but it is pity she is so confoundedly
plain. She will never get husband, except
by chance" ..,....... ......., .,
s'The more fools those who overlook her, d"
replied Harry. ,,,,,
tsWhy don't you appropriate her yourself Z"
asked one of his companions.
ssI ~ exclaimed Harry. n"Oh I am in love
with beauty, and cannot think. of giving her
up; but it only proves that l am fool like
the rest of you.'
81 declare, Harry, you almost persuade me
to take herr cried Frank. ''At all events,
am willing to run the risk of having happiness
thrust upon me. 1t is real shame SO fine
Girl should not have at least one chance for a
husband. Come, what say you all suppose
we agree that the fellow who is hit by the
cork Harry is going to pop shall pop the
question: to Miss Blanche and he be made
happy in spite of himself 20
'sAgreed!" cried some of the party while
Others .demurred. After a short debate the
proposition was accepted, with the provlso
that prior attachment should be an exemp-
tion from the requirement.
Harry cut the wire, and the cork, after
bouncing almost to the ceiling, fell plump on
the head of the originator of the scheme.
ssDished, by Jove - cried the luckless hero,
with a heavy gasp sHowever, will stand
to nv bargain. I will offer myself to her as
per agreement, and trust to my lucky star for
a refusal"
The humor and Justice of the fat were ac-
knowledged with hearty laughter by Franks
companions. They one and all assured him
that there was no chance for escape III that
direction.
sWhy not pn asked he, rather dolefully
because she is plain and poor. You are
handsome and rich"
Frank sighed as he felt the force of the re-
mark.
In the meantime the whole of their CONVEX
sation had been heard by the person most in
terested in it. Blanche with her cousins,
Mary and Grace Carleton, had been in the
conservatory which adjoined the dining room,
and, in consequence of the raised voices OF the
Young men at their wine, she had recognized
her own name Though not strictly polite, it
was very natural that she should listen, ,.verl-
fying the old adage. 1t need scarcely be said
that her feelings of modification and annoy
ance were very painful or that she attempted
to retire as soon as she heard the tenor OF their
remarks but her companions who were great
ly amused, held her fast, and fearing that,
resistance would make noise and Detray
their presence, she finally remained quiet,
while tears of silent agony coursed down her
cheeks.
But another and keener pang mingled with
her pain at hearing her name so diSrespectful-
" mentioned. Like silly, susceptible girl, as
she was, she had been foolish enough to look
too often and too kindly on Frank Tevis' open,
handsome cOuntenance, until warm tenuer
feeling had almost unconsciously sprung up III
her heart. Few, perhaps, would sympathlze
with her on that account, for she was undenla-
bly, plain and, in the judgment of society,
plain women have no right to expect attention,
much less affection. Therefore, it was very
weak in our heroine to fall in love, and espe-
cially with such a 'scatch'' as Frank Tevls,
and the must take the consequences. But
Blanche Carlton was, as Harry said, noble
hearted girl, and though extremely sensitive,
full of womanly pride.
On the following day Frank, who always
liked to get through with disagreeable duty
by performing it at once, sought an interview
o1, 1y tha<
ing his proposal suddenly, without sny prelim-
mary advances, his chance for refusal would
be all the better.
Poor Blanche had passed sleepless night,
harrassed by distressing doubts, and her trial
was peculiarly hard. She loved Frank, but
was fully convinced that he had never given
her a serious thought yet, bya strange freak.
he was about to put himself in her power.
She had only to accept his offer, and honor
Awould bind him to her. Afterward, so temp
ation whispered, she could win his heart, for
. could then have the opportunity now de-
y \e<to her, and, if she found that hope vain,
3 could release him and be no worse off than
sin! was at present. But her woman's pride
ana delcacy successfully combatted this spe-
cious reasoning. and forbade her to accept
feigned suit or to force herself on any man.
Her mind being made up as to her duty, she
found relief in considering the affair as a mere
jest which would be carried no further. New
ertheless, she dressed next morning with par
ticular care and taste, for plain women gener-
ally have more care for the accessories OF the
toilet than pretty ones and despite her better
Judgment she could not help thinking little
of possibilities. When Frank asked for her
she went down to the parlor, perfectly aware
of his errand, and firmly determined on her
answer, let it cost what heartaches it might.
Frank Tevis, the elegant and perhaps too
confident man of the world, was evidently not
himself on this occasion. He was manlfestly
confused and embarrassed, speaking hurriedly
of dozen things, and passing abruptly from
one topic to another. The composed manner
ure but his agitation was renewed at the
thought of offending her dignity by the unex-
pected and abrupt proposition which he medi-
tated. There was 80 much sensibility and ten
derness in her countenance that he shrank
from the idea of wounding her feelings. The
longer he procrastinated, the more impossible
seemed the task before him. As he cOnversed
with Blanche he conceived higher estimate
of her character, and was so charmed with the
brilliancy of her wit and the grace of her man
ner that he half-determined to defer his offer
until he knew her better, almost feeling that
it might possibly be made some day in a very
different spirit.
The morning was already far advanced when
he called up resolution enough to say:
Miss Blanche, l requested to see you on
most dis mean most agreeable errand,
though perhaps it may seem singular and
sudden to you."
A hot blush rushed to Blanche's cheek, and
she trembled visibly. Frank went on with
forced courage: