New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-26
ola BLONDE MEES."

'Pr1ttyI NO. out pcnlllle w .youioCA
me blonde Mees; and hair. an nymph undu-
lated sparkling golden, magnificent
But not pretty
We'll scarcely perhaps; but voice All! not a
little filet dc voX, but voice like silver bell
clear sympathetic.
Shall like la blonde Mces"P
Like her, yes love her, no; for she has no lor-
So far had heard-overheard; let me avow my
and il MAS too tempting an opportunity! The win
dow was open was outside, laZlly ENJOYING q
dreamy sesta in the rose bowel wGen ngaiu 'nS
me; and the deep pleasant voice asking so many
questions about my insignificant self was no other
than her august nephew. the son of her only sister,
who had married an Enghshman-her favorite;
Horace Vernon. No fortune indeed repeated
softly and then, clear bell. struck up the Ola
MY face is my fortune, sir she said,
Sir, she said. sir. she said
Over and over again. with every variety OF intona-
ton, | sang the words Suddenly | ceased IN;
stinctively felt he was nearing the window ana
meditating descent III search OF the singer. Has,
tly I fed fear lent wings to my feet; blindy l
made a dash at the clipped yew hedge and iCs laby
rnthne paths, when suddenly j stumbled, ana
should nave fallen but for the arms hospitality out
stretched to save me. Recovering myself quickly i
drew back with hasty dignity and exclaimed III my
best French; Monsieur
He bowed 'Mademoiselle. are You hurtP he
said managing to infuSe much tender solicitude
into the few words. Then with quick look at
me. before l could answer. he adued Let me IN
troduce myself. j am Horace Vernon; ana you
must be Miss Engenie Eyerard. have been hearing
all about You from my aunt
| bowed and cOlored wildly. Yes! La Blond
Mees could not help retOrting with smile. .
'Ahl you overheard us T he cried With u ludlcrou
expression of dismay.
Anger and the demon of Geometry prompted me
There and then to take of my godmOther. and re-
piled in her voice: Like her, yes love her. no;
for she has no fortune
The next moment felt awkward and confused,
for had hardly realized the meaning OF the words
MIR. Vernon laughed
WELL he said, i promise
Promise whatP
TO like You
He offered me a well-shapod brown hand, into
which, after moments hesitation, put my own:
The fingers closed it 10 a protecting clasp and
! conId not but look up gratefully into the hand
some sunburnt face and the merry blue eyes gazing
down upon me, as acknowledged the compact we
were making. 80, .
that Eugene Everard, shall presently tall in love
with Mr. Horace Vernon: that he Will reclprocate
the tender feeling and thereby break his aunts
heart. and upset all her deeply-laid plans. But
the cear-Sighted reader does not know that am
turned nineteen aud have rassed those important
years in the gay town of London, where have left
an inconsolabe lover. certain Reyeren Robert
Duncomhe. whose betrothaI ring | wear on the
ortbodoX finger and whose photograph have duly
set in a large golden ocket, with the touching
Greek words A. l.. |. on one side. ana an impossible
monogram of II. ID. e. L. i'll raised hlagree work on
Robert is Of a saving nature, and has limited our
correspondence to three times week, but he never
allows a day to pass without writing, and the
budget when it does come is daily Journal OF his
uneventlul life. He wished me TO follow the same
plan. but | am not Of regular habits and nave de-
clined to do more than reply to the folloS as re-
ceive them. So much for my side. ON the other
there's certain helress with very large dot mil
lions of francsl destined for Monsieur Horace
Bunue-maman particularly impressed this upon me
when she told me she expected her nephew at
Ijuorl | have not long since arrived from Eng
land on a six months visit to Bonnie maman, other
wise La Comesse Eugene Refine Marie dlarcOuTt.
my mothers old school friend, and my eodmOhor.
] was but baby when lost both my parents.
After my father, Colonel Everard's death, liz ed
with my uncle, but misfortune seemed to claim me
uncle broken hearted drified back into an almless
state of Iva .helOrhoOd. | felt burden upon him.
Eagerly he awaited himself Of Madame d'liarcOurts
invitation to me, and promptly saw Inc of to south
ampton from whence | was shipped 10 st. Malo.
There | was met by the COuntcsss man-of-a work
Jean Pierre, ana with him crossed ever to lfnard;
v here Bourc-m aman lived in a bright. cheerful
white house, with green jalousies, standing In an
old fashioned garden. being near the beach and the
lovely bay with Its glittering sands of sparkling
black granite. Madame d'Iiarcourt gave a
hearty welcome to MaisoD MaOunie. and Perrine,
the comey. black haired brlght-eyed maid, stared
at INC approvngly, and admired my travel ing gat6
o. English alpaca as much as did her wonderful
lace cuts fixed with gold pins and her black silk
bib apron over her neat stuff gown
A month had passed rapidly, and never VIZ cred
in my belief IN my ROdmother until this fatal
morning, when experienced the truth of the old
] was nothing, absolutely nothing, to Bonnie
Inanan. All her heart was with the young man
who had only Just we'd from England, with whom
she had been discussing me as stranger. As if !
should ever seek to WIN the affections OF an engaged
man! Moreover am ] not myself eneaged8 Shall
] ell her. and make her Qnite comfortable No; |
resolve Mill not do so. but let heI feel If ever so
Yes. as we are both safe, will make myself as
fascinating rs | Horace Vernon is to marry
Nidlle Berthe dc Pontiac, and | am tn marry the
Rev Robert. so there can he no harm in little
Irritation. and shall let things take their course.
III.
Things do take their course, and a very pleasant
course it is. The days pass quickly, and have no
time TO rite Letters. The DIn3rd bathing asOn
will SOOr bc AT its height. The Partisan world, in
Guiding Mile. Berthe de Pontiac, Will be here--so
her. ! often long to ask him about her but shy
feeling closes my lips. DO | dread that her name
should break the spell Of happiness cast round my
Alas, after some weeks Of delightful enjoyment,
the spell was broken, aud by BonDe-maman.
Horace had fired my Imagination by glowing
account of fresh blackberres, the finest blacklist,
sweetest that ever seen. Working up0n .ny
enthusiasm, he promised to take me a-blackberry-
The next morning, in high glee We sailed
forth lie armed with stOut hooked stick, with a
basket. Past 4 cottage, with bright-cyed maiden
tending her pet lamb IN the kitchen, while her
mother was sitting at the spinniDg-whccl in the
morning sun. Through lanes 50 narrow. VIC had
u scramble up the steep bank to let the great white
hOrses with the numbering wagons 20 by.
Through bush. through brIar.' we went and never
a blackberry did / see. At last yentured 70 Ie-
mari mon the singular fact OF the flowers and buds
being still in full bloom. heard slight chuckle,
and looking up at my companion face, saw a mid
CLEAN OF fun on il. Wei, you must indeed be "A
coo kney born think of expecting blackberfes IN
August For a moment was put out. then Joining
IN his mernment | cOntertcd myself with the
wreath OF wild flowers he had gathered.
From this merry excursion we returned IN hlgh |
gee and good humOr, my basket laden with lo"ers,
my hat decorated with berries and brightly timed
leaves. Bonne-mainan, contrary TO her usual hos
oil there and then Ia his hotel. 1heD having re- |
moved my protector, was treated to a long lecture
on my reckless disregard Of the prophecies. We're
.ll he 1f