The Republican journal., 1899-01-26

laughingly told her one day. II only
wish I had brother, Winnie dear. Won
should be my sister anyway" Winnie
blushed. 81 am afraid a certain Young
man would object to that, DEAR sWhy
what do you mean, Winnie?" and Berta,s
eyes were wide with wonder. sT will fol,
cherie, if you will promise to say NOTHING
about 1t to anyone at present have been
engaged for more than year to Young
man in Florida and we are to be married
this coming winter. l want you to get
we'll and strong, SO you can be one of nv
bridesmaid ~ And Winnie arose and
walked to the window to hide her CON
fusion. Berta laughed ''You old darl
ing, and l had assigned you to Mr.
L Estrange; he is so nice. Aren't YOU
ashamed to spoil my plans in that way?"
1t was Winnie's turn to laugh now. Mr..
u Estrange, indeed. Do you not know that
he loves your sister?' ''Mr. L'Estrapge
love my sister? Why l thought Frank
Trevor seemed to care more for her than
any other" ''Berta dear, it was only pre-
tense, for he and Miss Gray are engaged.
She told me so last night" ''Well I
guess wonders will never cease, and here
am | confined to this sofa and cannot see
bit of the fun. [ declare it's too bad.
Where is Fred Summerton? | have not
seen him for weeks" Winnie lip curled.
ttnh !, &C. ta1va NIT y l
has eyes for no one else just now. BeYta
smiled curiously. II am glad he has
found some one who appreciates him He
is very handsome. but not the sort Of a
man could love- He is too conceited. He
asked me to be his wife, but refused the
honori Blanche warned me of him, but |
thought | would have a little amusement
and teach him lesson at the same time y
The door opened just then and MI
Ainsley entered bearing beautiful
bouquet of dollhouse flowers. Both girls
gave a little cry of delight. ''Oh how
beautifulr' And beautiful indeed it was.
Great creamy lilies with wealth of
perfume hidden in theil waxen cups, red
and white moss roses, golden hearted
pansies clusters of geranium and hello
trope, and all wreathed with smilaX. the
background formed of lovely dropping
ferns interspersed with the graceful sprays
of the maurandya with its purple bells
He placed them in Berta's hand, smiling
as he watched the soft pink flush steal
ing over the lovely face. ''lheg came
from the conservatory of a friend" he
said, II thought you would like them
and so l brought them to you ooh,
Mr. Ainsley, how can l ever thank you
sufficiently. You are very, very kind to
think of me-
| The warm sunny days flew by, enjoy
cd fully by them all. One morning as
Blanche was wedding her flowers Harold
l. Estrange joined her She kept at work,
nervously pulling up flowers as well as
weeds. He noticed her embarass ment
and taking one of the little huttering
hands in his own, watched for moment
the lovely color coming and going in the
delicate face. Then he spoke gravely.
blanche, what have | done that you
should treat me SO coldly of late? Do
you not known that | am your friend?" She
stood mute and pale. 'Do you know" be
continued, "that you are dearer to me than
all else in the world? That if you will not
be my wife, life for me henceforth will be
dreary blank?'' The tears glstened in
Blanche's violet eyes. ''But, Mr. LES
TRANCE, after all they have said how can
you care for me?' He smiled "What do
| care for what a malicious woman NAV
say. | haven't lived thirty two years in
the world to believe what every one may
tell me. believe | am capable of choos-
ing my own wife, and have chosen her
Blanche, darling, you are the one. Will
you not answer me yes?' She looked up
into the handsome face pale now with
emotion; at the Wistful dark eyes with a
world of pleading in their dusky depths,
and her own eyes grew tender and lumin-
Gus. 81 will, Harold" she answered soft
ly. And l will try to be good wife to
you" 'My own darling,' he said fond
ly, and placing her hand upon his arm
they walked slowly towards the little
arbor at the farther end of the garden to
discuss their plans for the future
Carrie Trevor's Zip curled as she saw the
diamond cleaning on Blanche's slender
finger that day. "She has got him at last,
and hope she is satisfied" she said as
she swept scornfully away.
The summer passed all too swiftly, and
one by one the guests took their leave.
The Trevors were among the first to take
their departure and no one was sorry to
have them go for they were proud, haugh-
ty and disagreeable, all save Lulie.
Blanche missed the loving little girl, who
chung to her so fondly, but she was so
happy herself that she could not long be
sorrowful, and when a month later, Har-
old l. Estrange returned to his home in
the sunny South, his lovely bride accom-
panied him. Winnie Davenport and
Roscoe Ainsley We're among the last to
ID,,r l.. 7