Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-05-11
MIR. VANE'S COURTSHIP.

The sweet spring was Just breaking
into beauty, when one evening at the
sentimental hour of twilight q young
lady was seated in the recess of bay
window belonging to a stylish mansion
in the most fashionable part of Charles
street. Miss Helen Hammond was the
acknowledged queen of a small but
elegant circle which lived and breathed
within the shadow of the Washington
monument. Her form was tall and
graceful, her manners cordial and most
winning, her conversation br' ght, piquant
and sometimes witty. Her admirers
were many, but, AS yet, she had not
yielded a willing ear to lovers vow.
Helen held in her dainty white hand
volume of Tennysons poems, opened
at "Locksley Hail." but she was musing
rather than reading.
"Amy. you were indeed, shallow
hearted" murmered Helen; "weak,
foolish, and unworthy of so noble a
lover. No fathers threats, no mothers S
'shrewish tongue could make me give
up man SO glorious as the hero of
Locksley Hall But fear that such
men are only to be found in romance
and poetry. Certainly | have found
none in my experience of life. There S
Will Egerton, mere carpet knight =;
Frank Bradley, a beautiful dancer, but
nothing more; Tom Troup, a fashion
able top; Charlie Vane is a bright,
talented, clever fellow, full of fine en-
tnusiasm, but sadly wanting in energy.
These are four genuine specimens Of our
Baltimore men. MIR. Vane is certainly
the most desirable of the four, but he
has the reputation of being a great tiirt,
and if there is anything detest it is a
male f1irt."
Helen's soliloquy was interrupted by
the entrance of a servant, who handed
her note.
"Another invitation, I suppose" she
muttered; "this makes the third that |
have received to-day. | think | shall
refuse all invitations for the next week,
by way of a change. | am tired of par
ties, balls, and soci 4ty generally. wish
some sensible woman would discover
some new way of passing the time.
wonder whether the Roman and Gre,
clan ladies danced the German, and
flirted, and ate caramels, and read
novels, and had to undergo the bore of
fashionable society? But, in the mean
time, have forgotten my note. Miss
Helen Hammond, North Charles street.
From my dearest FRIEND, Louie Hun
ter and her face Enlightened.
"DEAR HELEN: | have just heard OF
a characteristic piece of impudence on
the part of your friend, Mr.. Charles
Vane. Last night, at the Ohio Club,
he bet champagne supper with one of
his friends that he would propose and
be accepted ry the notorious firt, Helen
Hammond. | hasten to put you on
your guard, and hope you will give the
impertinent fellow lesson which he
will not soon forget.
81 have finished reading Morton
House. 1t is more ambitious, but less
interest ting thnn Valerie Aylmer.
Your sincere friend, LOUIE"
"Well,' exclaimed Helen, after she
read the note, d" this is even more than
could have expected from Charlie Vane
but | will be even with the conceited
fellow. Forewarned is forearmed, and
| will give him more than he bargained
for. The idea of making me the sub
ject of bet at his club | must turr
the tables on him, and if heis hurt VIII,
it is his own foolish faultr'
In few minutes the servant an
nounced Mr.. Vane, and that fashion
able gentleman soon made his appear
ance. He was dressed with elaborat,
elegance. His beautifully fitting pearl
colored cravat would have made Bea,
Brummel die Of envy. His kid glove
were of the same delicate color, ant
fitted with miraculous nicely. "Al
the perfumes of Arabia" seemed t.
exhale from his glossy hair, while hi
mustache and imperial were waxed wit
artistic skill.
Mr.. Vane bowed with his usual air c
assurance
" How is my charming friend, Mis-
Helen, this eve ning?"
" Perfectly well, Mr.. Vane, pray b
seated"
" / did not have the pleasure of seein
you on Charles street this morning, a
though promenaded there from one t
three. | saw Miss Jones, Miss Wilson
Miss Tanner. Miss Lee; but the faires
OF all the fair of Baltimore-the fai
Helen-did not gladden. my eyes"
Il am glad that you have been abb
70 survive your disappointmeptn u sal