The Republican journal., 1873-03-06
A Girl Of the Period.

w
a steep hill-this is our scene, and our
dramatis personn are two young men,
who stand idly lashing their riding boots
with their little whips. Outside, their
horses are standing, and the two gentle
men come leisurely out of low doorway,
and stand smoking and talking by the
horses The taller of the two is a young
man of about twenty-seven; he is not
very handsome, tor the dark eyes have a
little reddish CLEAN in them which bodies
no good to the one who is unfortunate
enough to offend him. The mouth, under
its heavy black moustache, has a cynical
droop, and the complexion is dark almost
to swarthiness; the brow is broad and
high, shaded by clustering black hair; on
leigh as being fine looking man.
Clarence Lorimer, his friend and future
brother-in-law, is, strictly speaking, hand
some, with his dark-blue eyes and fair
hair; his cheeks a little bronzed, and
the heavy monstache are all that reclaims
his face from girlishness.
81 say, Clary, how long before this
duced train will Gomez"
Il don't know, 'pon honor, Chandos; !;
all | know is that my leige lady Ethel
told us to come down and meet the three
o'clock train and escort her friend Miss
Walsingham to the house, and, above
all, to be very kind and polite to the
Young lady, which commands shall be
duly carried out"
My stars, Clary, what an outburst Of
enthusiasm from you all at once" said
Chandos, languidly; 81 wouldn't talk so
much and so fast for any money on such
4 warm day" and he relapsed after this
remark into Il deep study, varied by oc-
cassional puifs at his cigar.
Finally he said:
II wonder what Miss Nina Walsingham
looks like ?''
ETHEL said she was very handsome"
replied Clarence, watching the curl of
smoke dissolve into thin air
"Ethel Still harping on my sister. |
wouldn't be an engaged man for any
amount; it makes one stupid. By Jove !!
Clary, you're getting to be regular
milksop, running round after Ethel like a
tame Spaniel. wouldn't marry the best
woman living,' and Chandos meditated
again.
Clarence looked little shocked as he
said "Chandos, rs very nice to be en-
gagged, especially to Ethel. She's an
'She's is woman, ,Clary, and therefore
not to be depended on. They are as
variable as weather vane, and are Just
like Mercurv-always in a scrape about a
n,an-and, finally, don't possess any heart
Love, kisses, sighs, quarrels, makings up,
moonlight and moonshine. Faughr'
"Chandos, hope you'll be tanned some
day, and | hope Miss Walsingham will be
the one to do it. Honestly, now were
you ever in love ?'
Chandos Fairlcigl made no answer for
some time. He walked up and down
the platform, putting away at his cigar; !;
at last he faced roundon Clarence fiercely:
''In love! My God, thought so once
| fairly worshped fair girl with violet
eyes, and sweet, kttenish ways. She
nearly left me like herselt-no heart for
breaking Under her innocent, girlish
ways was hidden cold, calculating mind
She fooled with me six months, and then
married man old enough to be her father.
Since that time have forsworn woman's
society. AS for this young lady whom
we are expecting, | wish that the wedding
and the duties attendant thereon were
over How Ethel could have the heart
" LthC llC SllIl up W ItIl HCI SlOCluo-
man, and to make me devote myself to
Miss Walsingham for the space of two
weeks, can't imagine"
"Ilere comes the train, ChandOs, you
| old misanthrope.
Chandos and Clarence stepped forward
| and out of The door of the train emerged
tall distingue young lady in black, with
a veil over her face, a young gentleman
| in lavender kids stood ready to assist her
very carefully down the steps, but she
| pushed aside his hand, sprang lightly
down to the platform, and turning round,
called in clear musical voice:
"Good-bye, Charley, hope We'll meet
again sometime" and kissed her hand to
| him audaciously.
| Chandos' cigar smoke strangled him,
and he gave a sort of groan. To tell the
truth he was choked by the freedom with
which the young lady made her remarks.
AS she turned to them, the train shot
away from the station up the rocky gorge.
"Is this Miss Walsingham ?" said Chan
dos coming forward, hat in hand.
"Im the ticket, young man. I've
arrived this side up with care" she said,
throwing up her veil
| 'sChandos retreated step at hearing
such slang remarks from such handsome
young lady.
Don't be afraid, it's only me-" she said
as she noticed his CONSERVATION. care
you Ethel's sweetness?'
Chandos' moustache quivered with anger
at the audacity of this young lady who
stood surveying himcooly, and using such
awful language before him. who was a
sort of Grand Mogul among the feminine
world, whom all sought to please Clary
laughed, and Chandos replaced his hat
saying coldly:
III am Miss Ethel Fairleigh's brother
this is Mr.. Lorimer, the future bride
groom"
Nina stepped forward, extending her
hand to Clarence, saying:
81 am glad to see you, boy"
He smiled, and replied in frank, .jovial
manner. 81 can say the same, Miss
Nina" She looked over her shoulder al
Chandos, who was engaged in unhitching
the horses. ''What makes him sc
grouty ?" she asked Lorimer, making a
little mouth.
'He's cynical old bachelor, down on
the women, and admires a clinging sort
in preverence to any other"
"Ah, understand" she said, "he don'l
like my slangy ways. I'll fix him.
Gong up to the horse she said:
"My eyes what horse, Crickey ISM
he racer" and she patted the chestnut
horse on the neck.
''Better keep away from him." said
Chandos, in alarm, as he saw the dan
gerous CLEAN in Lucifer's eyes, ''he's 6
very wicked horse, and don't like anyone
to touch him but me-"
"Or ride him, l suppose" said Nina
quietly the beautiful brown velvety eyes
flashing a little at Chandos Fairleigh'.
abruptness.
"No indeed" said Clarence. 'he's like
his master, opposed to the ladies'"
"Miss Walsingham. are you hurt p
| Said Cha n6na Snripr <ouyordo bor a.