The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-05-07
The next night found him faultlessly

The next night found him faultlessly
attircd. at Mrs. Leonard's reception.
A simmer OF peach bloom satin, in
the moving mass Of humanity, attracted
him, and taking pair of sparkling
brown eyes as guiding stars, he made
his way to the side Of Blanche Sturtc-
want.
As she made room for him beside her,
she said:
Il thought you didn't like recep-
tons
II do not, as general thing" he re-
piled. but this had peculiar attrac-
ton for me-
The meaning he threw into the glance
he bestowed on her sent the delicate
rose bloom to her checks, and she
looked ten times as lovely to his fastidi-
Gus eyes.
But suddenly, while he gazed at her
pretty, flushed face, a queer sensation
seized him. He felt actually timid
about asking this beautiful girl to be
his wife-even though he had been for
years man Of the world. Somehow
he felt as though she could read his
very thoughts with those bright eyes.
do look very badly?"
Her musical voice recalled him to his
senses.
Il beg your pardon. Was l staring
ut you? Your dress is beautiful-and
you"
Thank you" she said, hnrriedly.
II fancied from the intentncss Of
your gaze you had not quite decided
whether would do or not" and she
laughed softly.
Il was in brown study" he re-
turned.
The crowd surged around them, and
two or three men looked anxiously at
the seat occupied by Weston.
Some music was playing in another
room, and when the strain had ended
he spoke again.
Miss Sturtevant," he said. Il wanted
to ask you question tonight, but the
crowd is SO great that there is not much
opportunity for confidential talks. II
will write to you tomorrow. will you
favor me with a reply?"
''Certainly.' and the brown eyes
smiled sweetly, and perhaps nncon-
sciously, at him, as he rose to relin-
quish his seat to another admirer.
"There-that was neatly DONE" was
his mental comment, mo fuss. no love-
making to undergo-nothing disagree
able. and. If the fates are kind, / shall
have one of the finest looking and one
of the richest women in c. for my
wife"
lie threaded his way carefully among
the crowd, replying to kindly greet
ing here and there, and presently found
himself in the conservatory.
But it was occupied.
Standing under tall palm. radiant
vision in blue and gold, stood Blanche
Wellington.
His face frightened as he approached
her, for anything beautiful always ap
pealed strongly to the artistic side Of
his nature. and what could be more
beautiful than this tall. queenly woman
with a crown of golden hair. and the
deep blue of violet lurking in the COO
depths of her eyes!
What an opportunity there was te
win for his own this lovely girl.
His conversation with Miss Sturtc
want, few moments ago, crossed hi.
mind. but he dismissed it with I
thought.
He could easily explain to her his
request. Thank Heaven, he had no,
committed himself!
Miss Wellington turned to him with
smile.
$50 you are here this evening. Dc
you enjoy it,"
II have not-until now
What did it matter if that sweet
speech was false, it was very neat. At
any rate it brought beautiful color to
the soft check of the maiden before
him.
lis it not beautiful in here?" she
said.
YES" fcrvently, 1t is fit setting
for YOU
Now you are fiattering me-"
Indeed l am not, am always
truthful" and he threw a world OF
| counterfeit tenderness into the dark
eyes he turned upon her.
1t was only step from that to some
| thing more-and he took it.
Holding her soft, white hand in his,
he began:
Miss Blanche, 4 am growing very
tired of a lonely life. wait some one
to share my griefs and joys. viii you
be my wife,
"Really-I-I hardly know" she be.
| gan.
| At that moment gay voices were
heard coming in their direction, and
she drew her hand away from his clasp
In another moment the lively party
were in sight, and he had only time te
| murmur: Il will write tomorrow
will you reply?'
YES" and presently the cool. re-
tired place was invaded by the merry
makers, and Laurence Weston beat 9
basty retreat.
The next day he wrote the two let
tiers he had promised--for he was q
| man of his word
To Miss Sturtevant he wrote this:
My DEAR Miss BLAScHE-I wish to apologize.
| to you for some remarks l made to you last
| aiSua, 1ua " BAY tu0b nave CuAuScu AuiuS
| concerning the matter spoke OF. 1t was real
! ly Of no consequence and beg you will moi
| give it any thought. 1t was only an idle ques
| tion, which merely amounted to nothing, and IL
the fact cause which existed for my request NJ
longer exists. Please treat the whole affair u.
| joke, and ob.ige. Yours l.. WESTON.
There" he said, as he pushed the
sheet to one side, II fancy that disposes
Of Miss Sturtevant very easily. She
| will think it was some foolish joke
will never fancy / intended to ask her
to marry me-for she thinks me con.
firmed bachelor. She is a lively, good
natured girl. and will soon forget the
whole affair Now, for Miss Yelling
tom
On another sheet Of the fine cream
note paper he always used, he wrote to
Miss Wellington thus:
My DEAR MISS BLANcHE-Had time permit
ted last night should have urged you to &C
cep. my hand and heart. But the crowd was sc
great and the opportunity for private converse