The Republican journal., 1899-01-26
The Republican Journal, Thursday, January 26, 1899


believe it, for nobody could fancy her.
She too sipid and she was ignorant, too,
cause she acted hashful. AndIshe said, too,
that she Miss Blanche) was so poor that
she s'posed she would snap you up if she
could Ike a fish snaps up bait. Miss
Blanche isn't 'sipid, is she, Mr.. les
trange?''
Had thunderbolt fallen in their midst
it would not have caused greater conster-
nation. For moment they were literal
ly sreechless Blanche's face was Grim
son and her eyes flashed and darkened
until they were almost black. Mr.. L Es-
TRANCE could have boxed the little minx's
ears with hearty good WILL but he only
said, "Lule, you did very wrong to re-
peat what you heard your aunt and cou-
sin say. Probably they were only joking.
You and 1 know that Miss Blanche is
nice young lady, do we not?" eyes; she
is awful nice; she is the very bestest
young lady in the world. She kisses me
and aunt Maude never does" Harold
continued talking pleasantly as though
nothing unusual had happened, and soon
Blanche regained her composure, although
her cheek would flush every time she met
his eye.
After the gypsy dinner they all paired
off to seek ferns and MOSES. Mr.. LES
TRANCE, as usual, sought Blanche's side.
Carrie Trevor's beautiful face was marred
by an ugly sneer as Blanche took his prof
fered arm. She walked on a short dis
lance, however, with Winnie Davenport,
vexation. ''Oh, Mr.. L'Estrange," she
called suddenly, ''you must show me
where those lovely ferns grow, like those
you gave me a few days ago. 81 will
get you some, Miss Carrie, but am going
in another direction just now, if you will
please excuse me- ''But if l will not?"
she queried laughingly. ooh, Mr.. LES
TRANCE, | want to know where they grow
so much, and l know Miss Carleton will
excuse you for a while. viii you not,
Miss Carleton?'' "Certainly," answered
Blanche coldly. 81 will not detain Mr..
l. Estrange moment. Please crafty
her wish, Mr. L'Estrange. Miss Daven-
port and L will go on togetber''
He hesitated moment. then went over
to Carries side; a look of annoyance on
his high bred face, which he could not
wholly conceal. Miss Davenport and
Blanche strolled on. taking one path and
Carrie and MI. l. Estrange another.
The two girls rambled about gathering
their baskets full of flowers and moses,
after which they sat down to rest on a
green bank beneath a wide spreading tree
whose branches on one side dropped near
ly to the ground, making good hiding
place." Winnie laughingly declared
They sat there talking busily and arrang-
ing their treasures, when suddenly they
became aware of the sound of voices, and a
couple came into view which proved to be
MI L'Estrange and Carrie. She was
talking earnestly. At first they did not
notice Of whom she was speaking, but
soon Blanche caught the sound of her own
name and would have warned them of her
presence, but Winnie held her firmly. ''Y gu
have right to know what she is saying of
you, Blanche, she whispered, 81 think she
is sly and artful." They heard Carrie say,
81 know she tried to ensnare my brother,
but of course he would never deign to no
tce an i'll bred country girl, and so she
has transferred her affections to YOU. Oh
the ambition of these country maids, what
will they not aspire top and her laugh
rang out like chime of silver bells.
Blanche waited breathlessly for Harolds
reply, and soon she heard his voice. calm
and even, but full of scorn ''Miss Trevor
| am sorry that you are SO short sighted
AS to her preference for your brothers So
ciety have failed to notice it, but L have
noticed that he has prosecuted her with
his attentions for weeks past; that they
were not agreeable to her every one save
yourself has plainly seen. And she is no
ignorant girl, Dut lady IN every sense OF
the word, and one that the highest in the
land might be proud to call wife, Carrie
bit her lip furiously. $50 she has blind
ed you, too, has she? l only wished to warn
you as friend, hut see 1 am too late.''
81 fail to see anything friendly in your
manner OF speaking, Miss Trevor. Would
you wish her to speak to another of you
as you have spoken to me of her to- day?
hardly think you would and advise you
not to repeat to another what you have
said to me, it is very unkind to say the
least Carries face was study for an
Dizziness