Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-11-06
StIsfttd Wisffllaay.
STRANGE MISS DEyONPORr.

..He... l.
IT was the night of the Rattleborough
hunt ball and Rattleborough, as befltted
the occasion, was employed in holding
high festival. The large room of the
Egerton Arms was full, and the company
as select as the most fsstidious could wish.
There were representatives Of all the
great families of the country, and the
cream of the society of the town of Rat
tleborough itself, not to mention . score
or so Of unattached males who had estab
lished themselves in the Egerton Arms
and in various lodgings in the place, for
the express purpose Of being In the i'm.
mediate vicinity of the far-famed Rattle
borough hounds.
1t was to the very best of this society
that Mr, Oliver Henley belonged-s gen
tleman young in point of years, and COM
Portable off in the matter of money-a
barrister, member of the Inner Temple,
burdened with no briefs, nor with the
necessity or the intention Of getting any.
His fatherswas. still living, but he had
already ceme into q very respectable
little property and, as was natural for a
gentleman in the flower of existence as he
was--to-wit, seven-and-twenty years of
age-was bent on enjoying himself ac-
cordingly. With this highly lsudable OBJ
ject in view, he had just made his debut
in the marlborough district and by his
good riding, genial manners and generous
habits, which a comfortable balance At
ones bankers makes easy enough, he had
produced decidedly favorable impression
upon those whose estimation was usually
considered worth having. Henley had
had q day with the hounds, which he had
enjoyed most thoroughly and he was just
at present engaged in, talking over its
events with a newly-made acquaintance,
and at the same. time passing kind of
running commentary apon the dancers as
they whirled past him. 90,
"Now, Mr. Henley" said the vigorous
ballroom whip, g will you choose your
partner? 1 can introduce you 70 any one
you like"
"Who is that young lady there She
has just sat down, The one with the
wonderful amount of black hair, and"
Miss Devonport," was the prompt re-
ply. "A wonderful nice girl-dances
capitally. Let me introduce you"
And after Henley had gone through the
Lsncers with Miss Devonport, he was Of
opinion that this account was not exag-
gerated. Miss Devonport, he discovered,
was very nice girl-so nice that he
made up his mind to get all the dances
with her that she would give him. If o.
liver Henley had been asked to give an &C
count Of himself, he would, in all proba-
bility, have described himself as the most
unimpressionable fellow in the world. He
had become bored with filtration, and his
days of heavy loVe-making were over.
Experts, however, in the diagnosis Of
love-making will tell you } that it
is persons of Henley's selfreliant and
defiant nature who are most apt to
fall victims to the lender passion, and II
Oliver Henley had not had such consum-
mate belief in his own powers, it is prob
able that 1t would have occurred to him
more than once in the course Of his con-
versation with Miss Devonport that he
was ON dangerous ground. When O
: tleman finds himself telling his partner
tiu history of his life, interspersed here and
there with touches half pathetic, half bit
ter and cynical, it may be as well that he
should take heed unto his ways at once.
According to your owns account, Mr.
Henley, you must be terribly rolling
stone," said MiHs DeYonport L =
~ feel myself so, Miss Devonport 9
rolling stone which gathers no moss, bu
which longs 20 do so.n .ts -. y 81
There was a certain amount of vague
ness in the latter part of this remark but
somehow or other It seemed the nstura
thing to say, and Henley made it in tent
which was expressive of a depth Of feel
ing rather wonderful in so cautious an
unsentimental man. He was almost as
tonished and half angry with himsel
when the words had escaped him. 81,
looked confused-why he did not exactly
know. Unfortunately, however, looks ar
a good deal more eloquent than speech
still more unfortunately, the looks wer
not unnoticed by Miss Devonport. Some
how or other the remark, sufficiently
meaningless as 1t was, seemed TO have es
tablished kind of understanding betweel
Miss Devonport and Mr.. Henley, and Whel
Miss Devonport's carriage was announces
Miss peyonport, senior, the younl
lady's auRt-it seemed quite natural :
Henley to offer his arm TO escort her thith
er, and for Miss Devonport to accept it.
Miss DeyonpOrt," said Henley, Just bC
fore he handed her In, II wonder shall W
meet againf"
"Why not, Mr.. Henley ?"
But the aunt at that moment came al
and am disposed TO think that gentl
pressure of hands ds-unintentional,o of cours
served as species OF reply,
avF4t Hoo FvE .trg
Oliver Henley was not given TO dream
ing, and he slept the sleep OF the wear
and the Just. Strangely enough, howeye
the first thought which suggested itself
his mind on waking was Miss Devonpor
end the aforesaid pressure Of hands. h
thought, too, Of her and Of 1t more tha
once over a late, long, dawdling breakfas
A long and remarkably obiectless rever
was broken by the arrival Of some fsienl
who had been staying with connections
the neigbborhood OF Marlborough, an
who was now waiting few hours for
train TO town. laae
By-the-by," said BeauchAmp, Henley
friend, I'VE had such capital time Of
at the Oaks, and have met there the vei
incest people, without exception, vii
whom It has been my luck 10 be throw
" in contact. ~ There was girl stsyiI
there who--but talk Of angels ! There 81
is-positiyely coming r.
Henley looked, and saw no less perst
than Miss Devonport.
Miss DeVoHport itwas, and as she pass
the pair ON the pavement, on the side nel
est to Henley, they both Of them took
their hats. Miss Devonport, with smi
and aSaeious face, returned the bow; NJ
a. H.