The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-01
Janet's Decision.

sHsni never marry, SsAd Janet
Strong. gravely. 81 shall not become
an author, am not ambitious neither
am l benevolent enough to pass my
life among the sick and needy y and
what a wearisome life lies before me
| My ideal man is noble, courtly and
| chivalric, while the real man-bah !
we will not spend our breath about a
creature SO commonplace"
This was given in the form of solilo-
guy, but In the presence of her cousin,
Philip Hamilton, who had often listen
ed to similar sentiments from the same
bright lips.
He looked amused now, and perhaps
a trife hurt.
.Present company excepted, Unjust
Halter myself" he remarked dryly.
"Always in your case, Philip. You
know | am SO proud of you for a
cOusin.n
Janet was always bringing in the
relationship, he thought. But he had
concluded long ago that his suit was
hopeless yet he led her away from
this pet theme of hers, for it was
distasteful to him.
"Mrs. BIS reception will lie the par
ty OF the season, it is said. Do you
90 Janet 7"
ayes; these great parties are great
bores, but Mary is to be at home pur-
posely to attend. She returns next
day, and has written that must sure
II meet her there. l have not seen
her since her marriage. Her coming
gives the affair new coloring, you see.
! expect to enjoy it,"
Very simply and tastefully did Janet
attire herself for the evening. She met
her old friend, and, seated beside her
in the library, she almost forgot the
glare, and music, and murmur coming
from all parts of the house. But Mary
must move around among her mothers
guests; SO after awhile she arose !;
and as Janet preferred obsculity and
quiet, she remained where she was.
In passing her, Mary swept Janet's
handkerchief to the floor it was hand
ed to her by gentleman who had by
chance become seated mar her. She
had noticed him before, chat evening,
and he had impressed her as possess
ing character, and his square jaws
certainly did indicate that Il purpose
once fixed in his mind was not easily
abandoned. He was one of those
people who do not seem to need the
ceremony of an introduction. They
carry about them, in their presence or
personality, the assurance of their re-
liability. And notwithstanding J:.net's
admiration of high sentiment aud
chivalry, she had an appreciation of
such Il character as this. And not
being conventional by nature, she fell
easily into conversation with him. In
that short conversation, SO different
did she appear to him from the ordi-
nary fashionable young lady, that he
almost believed he had found his
ideal woman-while he did not appear
to be her ideal man at all.
In the drawing groom there was mu-
sic and dancing, and after awhile
Janet stopped talking, and looked
away at the gay company.
She was as fair as the faircst of
them, but she could not be tlattered
into assuming a position as belle. She
was proud enough to shrink from the
notoriety.
Perhaps he may have wondered 4
little at her retirement, for, following
her eyes, he remarked, "You do not
dance, nor" he hesitated.
"Flirt," she added. "Oh, dear, no !!
Dancing gives me a headache and
girls that firt intend some day to
get married, l never do"
An amuzed smile played over the
face of her auditor.
"And you 2" she asked.
"Oh, l do not dance. Ihave a fancy
that substantial-lookin people, like
myself, were not intended for dances"
after though, indeed, l
do not know as I answered your
question fully. Perhaps you also in
tended to inquire"
s'If yon firted? No, I should never
suppose sucll q thing. You look quite
too"
Sensible" he suggested.
ayes, that is what l wished to say"
"But YOU was afraid l might accuse
you mentally Of tlattery.'
mo, not that." -
"Perhaps you do not consider it
complimentary to be called sensible 2"
"Well, / hardly know. 1t would be
reliable and commendable in friend,
but sensible people are usually consid-
cred prosy or dull"
(which quality would you ascribe
to me, may inquire 2"
"You certainly are not dull !; nor do
l believe you prosy yet do 1 think
you sensible, and it does not answer
in any one for a fine Imagination, or
high-toned chivalry. In these days
we do not find men so endowed"
"And the want of these qualifica-
tions in the present degenerate race
Of men, has decided you to remain a
single woman -
'You have OWNED the reasons for
my resolves"
II hope it does not also exclude
mankind from your friendship?"
ssNo; friendship and love are two