The Helena independent., 1894-07-19
AN ADOPTED BOY.

"I'm not disposed TO DO unreasonable,
Blanche" said Gilbert in whisper as
bo arranged her white lace for her, but
] do think you've waltzed quito often
enough with that fellow Birmingham.
"Jcalousf" taunted the girl, flushed and
rosy.
"of course you'n do as you please,
Blanche, only It's choice between Bir-
Ningham and me"
She drew herself up haughtlly.
You nrc beginning 10 dictate early,
sir"
"IIave not tho rlghtp
Nothing of tho sort, Mr. Evcring."
"Bc IL so. Blanche" he said. ~ give
up the right now aud hencoforward. 4"
Blanche was startled. She would have
said more, but Walter Birmingham was
advancing toward her, and when next she
had leisure TO look round Gilbert was
gone from her side
Such charming day us wo have had,
Mrs. Trainel" said Blanche ns she cnme
up the steps OF tho hotel piazza, smiling
and radiant
"That, Of course" said the blooming
matron IN un easy chair under the shadow
OF the vines. "But whnt sent Mr. Ever
Ing away in such hurryi"
Sent him awayP
''Yes-by tho evening train, Bo came
home, packed his things and drove away
rs II there wns not moment to lose
Blanche went slowly up stairs and sat
down by her window, looking out at the
purple glow OF tho evening landscape MS II
it weiu fcnturclcss blank.
"And cannot even write 60 him, for
do not know his address, she thought,
with clnsped hands and tonrloss eyes,
So Blanche Penroy went home from the
gay summer lounging place a sadder and
wiser woman. And tho November mists,
dropping DER the brick and mortar wilder
moss Of her Now York homo, had never
seemed half so drenry 10 her ny they scom-
cd now.
She rang the bell with an impatient
jerk. ....-....
"Are thcro any letters, sandersonP'
lone, ma'nm. IL camc by the evening
post,
Blanche sat down by the fire and open.
ed tho lottor
"Blacls edged and scncd-and black
scaledl So poor Mrs MOrchmont Is gone
at lastp'
Il was from tho executors Of Miss Pen.
roy's distant cousin, formally and briefly
announcing hor death, which had taken
place In ono Of tho West India island,
some months since
Leaving one child, n son." slowly TO
pcntcd Blanche, Leaning her check ON heI
hand and looking down into tho fiery
quiycr Of the white hot Goals. POOR littl,
follow lie must feel nearly Ms dcsolat,
and alone ~ do.
"Why should not ndopt the stray wnl
and mako 10 tho business OF my life e
cherish and comfort hlmi 1 have no ob
jcct In existence. Here Is ono that Provi
dcncc itself seems 10 point out 10 mo-,
II shall mover marry now" " sho wrote,
'nnd II seems TO bocofno my plainly lndl
Gated duty 10 undertake the care OF this OF
phan child of Mrs. Mnrchmont. Will
your approval, therefore, propose 90 adop
him, and cndoayor IA far IA IA In my pow
err 90 supply tho place ~ his lost mother
You may deem mo rather young TO under
take 80 grave and scrouRh "a responsibility
hut ann very, very much older In thought
and feeling than my years. I"
just weok subsequently prlm lcgn
noto was received from MeaNra. Allhs &
Corpus, the docoAsed lady oNccutors, stat
ing that "thoy saw no valid Objection 4
Miss ponroy'A very laudablo projects, Rnt
TINT, IN accordance thorcwith, tho child o
tie latc Mrs. Marchmont would arrive a