Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-07-19
How Blanche Got Married.

pleasantly situated on the top of hill,
small town. 1t is sparsely inhabited but the
neighhoring church, sch0ol-house and other
buildings that surround Blanche Fenton's
home, afford her sufficient amusement, for
she is busily engaged with her studies, and
is making preparations to leave her pleasant
country home for the boarding school in the
noisy village.
She is sitting now in the shade of large
tree and in her hand she holds letter; she
reads parts Of it, then hesitates and medi-
tates. Sometimes smile crosses her face
sometimes a tear falls unbidden from the
dropping lashes Blanche is blonde, tall,
well-proportioned, and as she sits gracefully
beneath the over-hanging branches she un-
consciously makes a pretty picture, and
should the writer Of her letter pass this way
just now, he woad doubtless be more in
love than ever with this country lass.
Sixteen years ago when Blanche was a fat,
frolcsome baby, scarcely year old, Mr.. and
Mrs. Ross, who had been Mr.. and Mrs. Fen
tons dearest friends for many years, decided
to leave their native state and seek their for
tune IN the Golden State. They had too,
one child, a son, a bright, black-eyed boy Of
four summers. After making the necessary
tears of regret and signing sad farewells
In course of time Mr. Fenton died and Mrs
Fenton was left with no one but Blanche
No wonder that she seemed her ALL and her
chief object was to make Blanche happy.
She has attended school, and being very
intelligent she has made rapid headway
with her studies; they have her whole at
tention. She has not given her mind to
fnolis h fapc,as l;Ga ,,,rI ha,
she, though seventeen years of age, received
much attention from the opposite sex. New
ertheless she enjoys her life and does not
worry herself over beaux. The time is ap-
preaching, however, when this fun-loying
schoolgirl, who cares for nothing except
natures outdoor gifts and her lessons must
change her gay nature for one more silent;
the careless words will change to thoughtful
ones, and the face so full Of health and
beauty will wear more thoughtful express
sion. Sixteen years ago Blanche was a wee
baby now We find her in the position de-
scribed at the beginning. The first heart
felt tear is falling that she has ever shed.
Of course petty troubles cause the tears to
flow, but the 'bitter tear, the life blood Of
the heart" is just falling. Blanche's letter
is from Frank Ross, the rosy-cheeked boy
who started for the west so long ago He
is Young man now and earnestly strives to
gain Banches affection. Fortune has smiled
iavorably upon his fathers family and he
asks for Blanche's hand and heart now, be-
fore some other admrer might win her love.
This Is the cause of that sad look which Ger
spreads her countenance. She loves no one
she does not even know what love is, and
she cannot promise to marry Frank whom
she knows so little about. She thinks her
self IN tangled web and cannot answer his
! proposal for many days. His letter is writ
ten neatly and spirit of intelligence per
vades 1t. Blanche cannot help knowing he is
well educated and refined and his picture
shows his well-formed head and manly fig
ure but she cannot, must not say ''yes" to
man sne has never seen and knows moth
ing about save through parental intimacy.
No it cannot be. Yet why is il that, though
thoroughly determined, she hesitates and
tear starts ere she writes her cool refusal
All , She knows that Mr. and Mrs Ross are
strongly attached to the fatheress girl and
would be so happy to call her their own
daughter, but no marry man who is un-
known TO her she must not-wlll not. She
thinks u the many unhappy marriages
caused by hasty decision and shudders at
the thought that hers might be one.
Frank when he receives Blanche's reply
is not discouraged but hastily takes his de-
parture and comes east as Frank Raw be-
ing well-educated he obtains a position as
tutor Of an important school. Blanche has
friends IN the same village in which he is
now residing and the following summer she
accepts an invitation to spend a month with
her relatives.
1t is Franks good fortune to secure
boarding place AT the residence Blanche is
to visit; he hears of her intended visit
and lnwardly reJolces. anxiously wondering
what her opinlon will be Of their boarder-
tutor. Blanche's cousins are in ecstasies
over Mr.. Ray and she hears much said in
his favor they consider him quite '.catch,"
etc. Frank has changed but little during
the past year but Blanche does not recog-
nlze him, having only seen his picture. He
Is absent when she arrives but at tea-tlme
she meets him, and after formal introduc-
uon-Blanche Is always cool to strangers
they proceed to the dining room. Blanche
accompanies her cousins and Mr. Ray on
many pleasant excursions, when his employ
ment permits, and the month is nearly gone
before she realizes it. Can it be that her
heart grows heavy when she thinks of re-
turnlng9 Yes it is so. The red mounts
her cheek and her eye-lids droop in spite of
herself when she hears has footstep. To-
night she IS sitting alone on the piazza
Watching the stars as they slowly make their
appearance. Her aunt and cousins are max
ing a necessary call but Blanche preferred
remaining at home. Mr.. Ray is away for
few days and is not expected back till the
following week However hp comes tO-
night and finds Blanche alone; his ewes
speak too plainly the words he is to utter,
and one cannot fail to know her answer by
her cheeks pink tinge. Presently Frank
says, "Dear Blanche, you cannot fail to
know what | wish to say. have come
to ask you question. Will you answer
yes?" Blanche's countenance speaks more
plainly than words, and Frank is satisfied
There is silence few minutes and Frank
says blanche, you refused me once, what
caused you to change your mind?" Il do
not understand you" she replied ..you have
never spoken to me on this subject before"
mo !" he answered. Il did not speak of
it but | wrote you once and offered YOU my
hand and heart, but you refused the gift as
worthless. Forgive me Blanche for deceiv- |
ing you but am not Frank Ray at all, but |
Frank Ross at your service. | determined |
that if could not win your heart as Frank |
Ross | would try and succeed as Frank Ray |
and do you think have done very wrong ?'
Blanche did not And when Frank resigned |
his position as tutor and took Blanche to |
his handsome city residence both parents |
and children rejoced.
Depends a Good Deal on the Husband