Year: 1872

hlAAFlEk ANll


CLARENCE AND BLANCHE.


We viii now transport the reader to
Bridgeport TO Blanche's home once
more. Christmas and New Years have
come and gone, but they We're very diff
ferently passed from what Blanche had
anticipated, for she had expected to
have spent them in New York with So
nora and her cousin Cordelia; but "man
appoints and God disappoints."


Since the death of Oracle there had
been an addition to the small family at
the Homestead" Grandpa and Grand
ma Marsh had insisted upon their
daughter-in-law bringing her remain
ing children, and making her home
with them, which the disconsolate
woman was glad to do, as she could not
bear to remain in Norwich, which
place reminded her too fully Of the loss
she had sustained. Blanche, therefore,
had companion again, though far
different one from Gracic.


Cordelia Marsh had been petted and
spoiled from her infancy. She had
been named after a wealthy lady, who
educated her, as we have seen before.
Naturally a very high-tempered, spir-
tied girl, she could not bear TO be crossed
in any way, and the gentle Oracle and
her too fond mother had allowed her TO
have her own way in everything, till at
last she proved a source of great anxiety
and trouble 10 them. She was of an
indolent turn, and would sit for hours
lazily poring over the pages of some fas-
cinating novel. In vain had her moth
er and dear, good sister reasoned with
her. All their persuasion seemed Of no
avail, for she seemed only to take de-
light when in the society Of some vain
and worldly persons whose theme was
fashion. She was tall and rather
handsome brunette, with step as lofty
and majestic as a queen. Blanche was
delighted at having her for a companion
and friend. "She has no such scruples
about what is right and wrong as some
Others, and will be an excellent one TO
confide in and help me win the love of
him I worship" 50 madly reasoned
she to herself.


The death Of her sweet cousin had not
sOftened her heart nor caused her to
Danish the idea OF obtaining that which
certainly belonged to another


Eighteen months from the time we
first became acquainted with Clarence
Pierpont we meet him again, and this
time a guest Of Grandma Marsh's, and
dear old soul!-she thinks nothing too
good for the child of her long-lost and
early loved friend.


He had arrived the day before New
Years, and had been there but two DAYS,
when we will again take the liberty OF
becoming cognizant Of his affairs. a
bright fire burns upon the hearth
Of the same old but elegant Franklin
which had faithfully done its duty for
the last forty years, and whose heavy.
brass-bound fender and highly polished
andirons had glistened as the flames
Illuminated the old parlor, while the
youthful hearts and merry faces
gathered around its cheering influence
and listened to the tales of '.Red Riding
HOOd,n "Babes in the Woods and
other stories suited to their childish
years; and then again these same ones
sat there as the tales Of love and ro-
nance had been poured into their will
ing ears; but now the scene is changed.
Though the fire burns as bright as then,
and everything looks the same, still the
hearts that beat within that gay young
couple who sit there alone beat not like
those Of yore.


The family have all sought repose,
with the exception of Cordelia, who lies
in bed, deeply absorbed in the myster-
les Of ERNEST Maltravers," and await
ing Blanche's appearance, leaving the
latter alone with Clarence.


so Sonora is really to be married in
April9' asked Clarence, as she laid
down her book and was pretending to
retire.


"Do not go yet. Sit down. should
Ike very much to speak with Won few
moments


Blanche. who had in reality no idea
OF leaving, turned and seated herself
while her heart bounded within her.


Yes, the time is appointed and 7 am
to be bridesmaid" answered She as She
rocked to and fro in grandmother,s bicL
back chair, while herlittle slipper rested
upon the edge Of the fender.


"Aly dream is over, then, at last >,
sighed Clarence, looking mournfullv Al
the fire. Il never thought Sonors
would prove thus false, though wisbet
her to obey her mother and by doing 5,
relinquished all claim to her hand a