Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-03-07
Nj eel I q n e 0 u s.
FAIRFIELD AND BLAYNE
By MISS LE1HERFORD.

Fairfield is odious And even were he
perfect, see no reason why John should
sacrifice ne to him. Yes it amounts to
that. John sacrifices his interest in me
to his CO called friendship for Fairfield
Fairfield absorbi john and everything III t
is Johns"
The pretty face at. the window drew
itself int pout, and the dainty foot
tapped the thick carpet impaiien'ly, and
the voice con tipued:
"Here day, is the first snow of the
season, and every body sleighing but me,
aud to see Fairfield dash by wrapped IN
Johns white slcigh-robes. and driving
Johns elerant ponies. Of course, john
can't come for me now. and l would not
i've fig to 60 with any one else"
Nettie Avenal, the author of the above
solliloquy was the petted, but an un-
spoiled darling of an uptown household :;
an heiress, and if not beauty, still very
lovely and loveable, and much more SEN
sible thar the girls Of the period gener-
ally.
John Blayne and Mat Fairfield, were
the Damon and Pytbias of her set. and
the first named, Nettie's :avorite admir-
er.
John was frank warm hearted young
man, good looking as the average, honest
as the day, generous as the summer sun
shine, valueing his ample possessions for
just what they would bring of comfort
and enjoyment to himself and friends.
Fairfield was brilliant, good for-no,h-
ing ''llan about town." handsome, care
less and INSCRIPTIONS and an immense
favorite with equally good for.nothing
young ladies. He quoted poetry from
Byron, satirized after the manner Of
Thackery, sung everything from Norma
to Cham paigne Charlie, dressed superb
ly, skated beautifully, aad wss. finally,
a compound of Harold Skimpole, Don
Juan, and MepListopheles. He repaid
Blayne's friendship by using his horses
dogs, guns and boat. sharing his bed
and board, an d Nettie sometimes thought
his wardrobe.
The best society valued him for just
what be was; fa,tered him, quoted him,
patronzed everything under his leader
ship, and yet at any time would not have
been at all aston ished, but of course very
much shocked. to her that he had been
arrested for embezz'emeut. or had run
away with his neighbours wife.
Many beside Nettie wondered at an
Intimacy between two so totally unlike
aud argued no good of it. However, the
two continued apparently the best Of
friends. If any dowag, r overlooked Fir
field in her invitations, she need not ex-
pect Blayne. If any man snubbed or
Sighted Fairfield, Blayne was equally
snubbed and sighted. They occupied
the same pew at the same church, they
walked arm-in-arm to and from the same
hotel, and finally Blayue's business and
property came to be dubbed Fairfield
and Blayne's;;" uoies of invitation were
addressed to Fairfield and Blayne." and
one caught glimpse of eitber's hat,
or whisk of ei,her's coa!-tail. gong
round corner. one would be tolerabls
accurate in saying, "there goes Fairfield
and Blayne."
The latter was always ready to give
up any anticipated enjoyment to CRAFTY
his friend, and so it Glanced that on more
than one occasion, Nettie had been dis
appointed at B layne's incompetence, or
his tardy arrival. with some excuse for
FairGeld's sel6shucss,
But the affair of the sleigh ride thor
oughly aroused our spirited little Nettie.
A less resolute, or more spitefll nature
would have dismissed SO recreant lover
from her thoughts entirely. Not SO,
Ncttie. Her attachment was too sincere
and genuine for that.
Her resolve was formed. She wonld
pay John in his own coin; show him his
friend in his true colors.
A party was given for her. She, all
sn. lies aud graciousncss, led the German
with Fairfield. john approached. Net
tie was eloquent over Fairheld's dan
cling.
''Such an elegant partner. And SO in
tereeting in his conversation. | fear |
never estimated your friend at his true
worth"
John IS sure Of it.
FaiIf' ID sung. Net.ie was in rap
lures
"What a splendid voice. and Row
cha,mingly he renders That"
Zach Colt. mein liebrr Gott"