Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-05-22

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| talked, I sang; | turned the mt
sic for musical ladies; I wake
through the Lanciers. At last
found myself flirting with one of til
guests.
There are women q man is oblige,
to firt with. He does not admir-
them, respect them, or love them on
whit; be does not even desire thei
society; but he must be more thar
man ere he can refuse to respond t
their advances. One Of these wo
men | know now, having played tht
looker-on for SO many years, car
make any man appear to other wo
men desperately in love with he
while he almost detests her. A
women Of that kind was among thu
company. She had hands that de
lighted in soft touches of hands mas
culine; eyes that could cast glance:
bright and enhancing. She posses
sed attraction rather than beauty
What she said was nothing; her con
versatien had no interest, but |
knew that | seemed absorbed by bel
that | really was absorbed; in tive
words, that flirtsd abominably with
her.
Grace, meanwhile, sat apart from
me.-She talked to others in her
sweet tones,-Once she sang pretty
love song. Quite calm and seif-pos-
sessed, with no appearance of mott,
cling my conduct, the thought that il
troubled her never occurred to me.
So that when the evening was over
and We had left the house together,
l was astouished beyond measure to
see an offended look upon her face
and to hear an offended tone in her
voice. l offered my arm. She re-
jected it, replying that the ground
was damp, and that her hands were
occupied with her dress, but | knew
this was merely an excuse; and feel
ing myself in the wrong, and having
swallowed more wine than L should
at the supper-table, | grew very an
cry.
May l ask what l have done?" l
said.
you know" said Grace.
II knowp l repeated. "Nay l
know nothing Of women's fancies.
You must explain"
q scarcely think it worth while"
said she. az you do not know
that yOu have done wrong tonight,
| should not care. You have neglec-
ted me, and devoted yourself to that
vulgar woman. | heard lady neal
me say that you seemed to be tired
of your bargain. She thought you
were 10 love with that creature. So
did other people. Under the circum-
stances, have a right to feel otfeD-
ded, insulted.'
Perhaps she thought | would deny
the charge. Perhaps she expected
me to plead for psdon. God knows
what possessed ne, | answered only-
"May | not talk to pretty woman
because l hope to marry you some
day2"
You we're firting-aimost max
isg love to her." she replied.
"She is the sort of women with
whom men fall 10 love-" | said;
Irresistible in manner. I've heard
she makes coDquests everywhere;
| don't doubt it,"
Grace looked at me with a stern
fsce-white in the starligh; as mar
bic statue.
"Other women are always jealous
of such women" | added.
81 am not jealous of her," she said.
II would not be like her for king
dom. She is terrible woman. But
since you admire her so you are free
to tell her so afteryOu have seen me
to my door"
"Gracep' | said.
Miss Hunter, if you please, MIR.
Rutherford said she. I've have
both made a little mistake, easily
rectifed; that's all"
I felt, as | stood looking at her,
tn the effect of the wine | had drank
upon ne was stronger than | had
thought, but | gave no he'd to the
warning of my giddy head and rapid
pulse.
Just as you please" l said. 81
should think that jealous woman
would curse any mans lie. I'll go
now. [ won't trouble you any lon
ger. Good.by'
We were not at the door Of her
home-we we're about half block
from it; but | turned on my heel then
aad there; and | was hot and angry,
| made my way home, aud, without
undressing, fell upon my bed and
dropped asleep.
In two hours | awakened sober |
sat up and looked about me. The
scenes of the evening REQUIRED to me
wildly. l saw how biameworthy |
had been, aud terrible griefOppres-
sed me. l put my head down upon
my hands aud burst into bitter tears.
| had lost her, and with her all that
made life precious. Then hope dawn
ed upon my soul. wouli write to
her; tell her how, unused 10 liquor as
| was, the vine had affected me. |
would tell her that to 10y sober sell
there was no charm in the woman
who had seemed to enchant me the
evening before. | would draw the
comparison | felt so keeuly betweeu
her pure self aud that bold eyed dlrt
would pray for forgiveness, and
she would forgive me.
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