The Republican journal., 1899-01-26

reyerently, thanked her, and placed it
Carefully in Lis coat. Soon the breakfast
bell rang and merry party gathered
about the table. Carrie Trevor bewitch-
ingly beautiful in a dark red morning
dress with trimmings of snowy lace com
pleely charmed Berta; but Blanche, who
had a keener insight, felt that uuder all
that glow of beauty d selfish heart was
hidden. Shortly after breakfast the
whole party repaired to a grove short
distance from the house, taking their din
ner with them.
Mrs Carleton looked at her daughters
with faint smile ''Well, children, what
is your opinion of our boarders?" ooh
mother, I like them so much,' cried i'm.
pulsive Berta.'' 'Isn't Miss Trevor a
beauty, and Miss Gray, too? and oh, what
handsome eyes Mr.. Ainsley has; just like
yours, Blanche. Say, sister, don't you
like them?" Like which, Mr.. Ainsley's
eyes, or our guests?' queried Blanche
with smile. sour guests of course
answered Berta laughing and blushing.
''Well, dear, Miss Trevor is certainly very
beautiful but think Miss Davenport will
be my favorite. But l must not stand
here discussing them, for time is flying
and Ihave lots of work to do before they
get back" and Blanche disappeared in
the region of the kitchen
Fred Summerton held an animated dis
cussion with his room mate that night as
to the respective merits of the lady guests.
RIOS, did you notice Miss Trevor?
Isn't she a beauty?" His companion
smiled. Eyes, Fred, she is very handsome.
but | do not think the little Carleton girl
is far behind her in beauty. What a
magnificent woman she will make. She
is pretty and no mstake.' ''Now see
here, Ros' old fellow,I am going to Get I'D
little Irritation with Miss Berta and |
don want you to interfere and spoil my
fun" Roscoe's face flushed hotly. sIn-
terfere with you, certainly NOS, but, Fred
you may came off second best in your
little Irritation as you call it. | think
Miss Berta will prove a match for YOU if
she thinks you are trying to trit1e with
her. As for me l would not toy with any
womans affections " Fred laughed soft
ly. "Ros' you are too chivalrous fellow to
be living in this century. 1 intend to enjoy
povcalf Wbiia T Of
insufferably dull without filtration or
two to help pass the time'
Two weeks later Miss Trevor and Miss
Davenport planned picnic. They were
to go to lovely grove about a mile dis
tant and spend the day gathering flowers
and ferns and having good time gener-
ally. The gentlemen were to take charge
of the baskets, and the dinner was to be
spread by the side of little brook that
ran ripping unsteady over it's pebbly bed
Blanche and Berta were invited, and the
latter was wild with delight. Mrs Carle-
ton had prevailed upon neighbours
daughter to help her through the day, so
II.
Very lovely she looked that morning in
her dress of white muslin with a dainty
little hat lied down over her golden hair
with ribbon as blue as her eyes. 1t was
a glorious morning, the air, cool and sweet,
was vocal with bird songs, and the luxu-
rance of summer lay all about them.
Lulie Maynard, Mrs. Trevor's niece, a
child of eight years, had taken great
fancy to Blanche and now walked by her
side chatting merrily as blackbird "Ah,
here you are, Miss Chatterbox,' said Mr.
L Estlange coming up to them and pull
ing as spoke one of Lulie's long curls.
She gave her head a willful toss. 81 am
not Miss Chatterbox." 'Oh, pardon me,
my dear; SO you do not like to be called a
chatterbox?" "No, sir! You don't call
Miss Blanche ''chatterbox'' or ssdear''
either; she wouldn't let you" He color
ed slightly. Every well, we will say no
more about it. I will not address your
Royal Highness in that way again.
! He walked on with them, his genial
face full of light as he talked cordially
with Blanche. Suddenly Luiie broke in.
''Mr. L'Estrange, heard Aunt Maude
| saying something about YOU last night.