Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-03-16
ADOPTED"

Il
the wreath of scarlet autumn leaves
with which she was decorating her
broad-bTimmed hat.
She made a beautiful picture, sitting
there all alone in the mellow glow and
color of the October woods, a 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 tiny branch of ferns and autumn
flowers. She was transparently fair,
with purple veins ia each waxen tenn
pie, and faint pink bloom on her
cheeks, while her eyes, urge and
brown, seemed to look at you with the
grave, tender expression of an infant.
Eyes, it is very strange" went on
Miss PeRroy, musing within herself.
IL 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 Blanchep she added,
leaning forward, and apostrOphiZing
the face mirrored in the stream at her
feet. "Is it possible that you've allow
ed yourself 10 fall in love with that
tall, black-eyed young man? Ten days
ago had never seen him-and now!"
The roses mounted up in her cheeks
as she wandered within herself wheth-
er Mr.. Evering cared for her.
81 wish l knewl" she muttered
aloud.
"Knew what2' demanded a 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
irregular features, and deep color
glowing 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 it will rain to.mor-
row? For our picnic want to wear
my white India shawl"
"Oh, the picnic! L had forgotten
that when l spoke of leaving to-mor-
row. OF course, though my presence
or absence will make no great differ
.ence.
Blanche was silent. Somehow that
scarlet and brown spotted leaf required
good deal of adjustment in that ribbon
of her hat.
blanche, shall go or stayP"
"As you please, Mr.. Evering, OF
course"
mo; as somebody else pleases. Yes
or no! And / forewarn you that yes
means great DEAL"
"How much does it meanp question
ed Blanche, half archly, half timorous.
ly.
"Everythingr
"Then you may stay"
MY Blanche-my little daisyp he
whispered, bending his stately head
over the slender hand that lay on the
autumn leaves. Aud Blanche felt thai
in the golden stiffness of that October
evening she had turned new page il
the book OF her lifer'
She was very, very happy, and al
that day she seemed to be watkins
through the bright mysteries of a dream
But with the morning came othe
feelings; alasl that shadow should al
ways follow sunshine in this world q
uTs
Elm not disposed to be unreasonable
Blanchev said Gilbert, in whisper
rs he arranged her white lace shaw
for her. amid the merry tumult of tn
picnic ground, "but do think you'v
waltZed quite often enough with MI
Birmingham"
jealous already, Gilbert?" taunte,
the girl, flushed ana rosy with tn
triumphs of her beauty, and the IRE
sistible instinct of coquetIy. She col
ored deeply.
"0f course you'll do as you please
Blanche; only warn you, its a choic
between Walter Birmingham and IN,
You dance with him again at your ow
niskr
At the same instant he came up.
MAY 1 have the pleasure of the po
ka with you, Miss PenroyY
And Blanche, defiant, willful and
little piqued. answered, Yes"
She glided away with her hand o
Walter Bnmingham's shoulder. Gi
bert had no business to be so unreasoI
able.
His or We, stern face rather startle
her as she came once more 10 the ru
tic seat of twisted bows, when til
band was silent, and Mr.. Birmingham
had gone TO bring her glass of ice
lemonade.
Gilbert why do you look so cross
because have reason. am sorI
you pay so little attention to my wisl
Ve2, Miss Penroy."
She drew herself up haughtily.
"You are beginning to dictate earl
sirI"
"Have not the rightf'
mo, Mr.. Evering."
"Be it so. Blanche" he said, in
voice that betrayed how deep the a
row ranked in his bosom. 81 give I
the right now and henceforward."
Blanche was startled. She Won,
have said more, but Walter Birmin
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