Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-12-01

midnight, that waved back from high
noble brow: a clear olive complexion
and perfectly-cut nose and mouth, the
latter shaded by a heavy, dark mus
tacbc. 1t was not 50 much his personal
appearance as his fascinating manners
that attracted and Won upon you. Had
Audley Ashton been positively ugly,
there would still have been a peculiar,
nameless charm about him that would
have fascinated. He had been tiatter-
ed, carressed, and petted by women
from his bOyhOOd up. He had always
mingled in the gay, fashionable world
and, consequently, had flirted a great
deal. Girls, widows, and even married
woman had loved him; yet, somehow,
his heart had never been touched; the
deep feeling he was capable of, had neV-
eT been reused within him. Never
among any of the far sex whom he had
known had he met a woman whom he
really desired to make his wife. Still,
as l said, the women liOnized him, and
so his name of fiirt and lady-killer.
It was only a short while after the
above conversation took place that tick
cts were issued for a large party to he
given by Mrs. Colonel Dent, lady re-
siding in Glenville.
Of course the AshtOns We're invited.
Mrs. Ashton and Ethel declined going /;
the latter, had she wished, could not
have attended, being confirmed inval-
id. Audley, however went.
\ large and brilliant crowd already
thronged Mrs. Dents magnificent par
lOrs when he entered. Restlessly his
eyes wandered over the bright assem-
blage until they rested on a rauiantly-
beautiful girl seated at the opposite of
the room, gaily cOnversing with several
gentlemen, Instantly Audlcy reCOgniZ-
ed Kate HaUghtOn.
He hardly knew how long he had
been gazing intently at her, when he
felt familiar slap OH the shoulder, and
turned to find the only person with
whom he was intimately acquainted
at GlenviIle, namely, his old friend and
schOOlfellOw, Charlie Barton.
"YOu here tonight, Audley, old fel-
low just cOmG-enjOying yourself? Not
acquainted with the ladies? All! l see
as the blind man said, can soon reme-
dy that. Come, let me introduce you to
some of our fair beauties. pll begin
with the belle Of our city, Miss Haugh-
ton" And they moved off in Kate's di-
rection.
ever you dc, because she is utterly
heariless; she i regular charmer though;
gave me my Walking-papers long since.
See that fairy there in White, with the
yellow cuFls, isn't She a beauty? People
say we resemble each other very much.
All here we are
Audley devoted himself to Kate tnat
evening He danced with her, convers-
cd with her, and hung over her at the pi-
anO. He found she was witty, agreeable,
and interesting. There was something de-
cidedly piquante and original about her
that refreshed and amused him after the
tritc, senseless gibberish he had been
wont 10 listen to from women.
And she neither repulsed nor encOur-
aged him. At parting, as he handed
her into the carriage iOnc hired for the
OccasiOn), he gave Il slight pressure to
the little hand that rested i'll his. She
drew it away hastily, almost rudely,
and sinking down among the soft cush-
ions, smiled scOrnfUlly.
~ suppose his intention is to carry on
desperate Irritation with me. [ am to
have the honor Of being his first victim
among the Glenville girls" she langh-
ed lightly. "He will discover in the end
that he has found one woman on whose
heart his passionate glances, flattering
speeches, and fascinating manners can
make no impression; no, not the slight
estu and kate's pearly teeth pressed on
the neither red lip, and she clasped her
white hands tightly over her heart, as
if to gnard it safely from any shaft Aud
lev Ashton could aim, as a thought of
what beautiful eyes the stranger had
flashed through her mind.
The truth was Kate was displeased
and out of sorts with herself; for, in
spite of everything, she could not help
this man; and, had she never
heard that he was a tiirt, she would have
laughed and said to herself, Il case of
love at first sight; as it was she felt ex-
ceedingly uncomfortable.
Kate was halfway in love, but Who'll
ly unconscious of it.
The charm AudIey Ashton possessed
of winning upon others had not failed
him when he exercised his power over
Kate HaughtOn; and, o reader mine,
with the rosy dreams that cast
themselves about her pillow that night
was the handsome face, with those Won-
eyes Of Audley Ashton.
CHAPTER II.
The summer and autumn months gil
ded inperceptibly away. Audley saw
great deal Of Miss HaughtOn.
Gradually the admiration She had ex-
cited in his bosom ripened into deep,
passionate love. Her noble, high-toned
spirited nature attracted him iTresisti-
~ must via her!" he said to himself.
''It is no meaningless Irritation this
time, but part of my existence. With
out her, life to me will be worthless
thing"
But how should he set about winning
her? There was the rub. This was a
strange question for Audley Ashton,
the accomplished lady-kiIIer, to ask
himself. He had tried every means in
his power with Kate. She was different
from other women; those sweet little
and sugared batteries which
went so far with them found no way to
her heart.
His love making fell on her un-
needed. IF he treated her cOolly, she
was all smiles and gracious politeness.
Kate was never cold and fOrbidding,
'he always met him with q sweet sauvi-
y of manner, calm, mOnchalant pO-
iteness, that spoke palmer than words
could have done her supreme indiffer- !
gnce to his various and changeful moods. |
Kate did not evinCe the least sign of be- !
ng i'll love. Her cheeks never flushed !
1t his approach. If, by chance their !
lands met, hers never trembled. His |
ender glances We're answered by laugh !
ng straightforward looks from her dark !
yes.
kate'S behavior was such as to keep |
Audley Ashton at his distance, and |
make him feel himself a complete ciph- |
II i'll Miss HaughtOn's affections.
This utter Indifference on her part
Diqued Audley's vanity and added fuel |
0 the fire of his devotion. 1t was some-
hing new and entirely strange for him
o be treated thus. Hitherto, his atten-
ion had been cOuTtCd rather than other
wise by women.
Now Judge HaughtOn was very watch
ul of his precious daughter, and began
o notice Audley's frequent visits.
IL must find ont how matters stanu,U
e pondered. ~ will keep an eye on
Eate.V
And so one evening he brOaChed the
uDject, laughingly, however:
"Katc, my dear" he said with a
mile, "that Ashton comes here quite
90 often. Has he any serious intentions
f stealing my pet@"
This was unexpected. For q moment
late's cheek crimsoned, then grew
ale.
'What queer notions you take up,
apa. 1t is only 4 sentimental Irritation.
,Ou know people must have something
D keep their spirits up in . dull little
own like thiH.h
Yes" returned the sedatc old Judge;