The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-09-18

spoiled butterfly of our society. she
hates contradiction and, indeed, L
know of no one who ever dared attempt
it. If you wish to see the blood mount
to her cheek, why just try it. Shall I
introduce you? ?"
There is but one way to win her re-
gard, and that is by asserting TO every
thing she says. Pardon the hint, my
dear fellow"
ssCertainly, Will but there is a bet
ter way to conquer this beauty than
that"
Miss Mowbray was standing by the
piano, pretty little frown distorting
her face. She was petulantly tearing
rosebud to pieces and strewing the
petals on the floor Evidently she had
been sighted some rash cavalier hal
doubtless ventured to differ with her
and had been Immediately snubbed.
Miss Mowbray was so absorbed IN her
present occupation that she did not
notice the two gentlemen who were
bowling before her, so much SO that she
did not look up until spoken to for the
second time.
s. Miss Mowbray, allow me to present
my friend, Mr.. Willis"
She slightly nodded in response to
the courteous salutation of the cool,
self-possessed gentleman who stood be-
fore her.
"Quite crush, Mr.. Willis"
Well, hardly think so. I was I'M
der the impression that the room was
nicely filed"
"indeedl" She met the calm gaze
of the keen black eyes, and bit her lips
in vexation.
"The room is uncomfortably warm
do you not think so ?"
"I must confess 1 cannot agree with
you, Miss Mowbray. I thought that
the temperature was very agreeable"
"You contradictory icicle - thought
the lady. Sc 1 shall not like you"
The gentleman noDchalantly twirled
his mustache, and contemplated his
foot.
Ct understand you have just returned
from European tour. OF course you
found travelling delightful ?"
"On the contrary, Miss MOwbray, I
thought it perfect bore"
Indeed And what do you think
of Rome ?"
Misery and elegance, dirty streets,
and swarms of dirtier beggars."
"Ah How did you like Paris?"
Monotonous architecture, 10TOnO1lcc
Americans, coquettes, and many-hue'
politicians. It's principal streets are
QOtnln8 10 compare VIII our DEOaIMdJ
on fine afternoon.
The band struck up a Strauss waltz.
The lady frightened.
"Of course you waltz, Miss Now
bray sN %
"Thank you" And the next no
ment they were gliding about the room.
81 think / will sit here, Mr.. Willis"
said Miss Mowbray, IN q becomlngly
flushed condition, going toward a bay
window.
Pardon me, but do not think it
would be prudent. There may be
draught there"
She was about to decline the prof
fered seat, but look from the black
eyes decided the question.
&c There you have torn the lace from
your FAM"
cit was an accident, [ assure you,"
with pouting lip. But the black eyes,
looking quizzically down, thought diff
ferently.
"Your friend is quite an enigma, Mr..
Nelson" said Miss Mowbray, as she
stood in the vestibule waiting for her
carriage 81 cannot make him out, and
/ am sure I shall never like him."
TIE object of these remarks APP
preached to bid the lady goodnight.
&c May / have the pleasure of calling
upon you, Miss Mowbray ?"
A refusal was upon her tongue, but
as there was no reason for refusing the
request she Aintly assented.
"What success, Willis? Any sharp
encounters
every easy to manage, Nelson.
There is nothing like being decided
with such woman. You fellows don't
know how TO do it. I detest this as
sentipg and agreeing TO everything,
whe her you believe it or not. There
is no sincerity or independence about
it. 1t is fashionable aud polite to do
false rule. To tell the truth, have
taken fancy to the young lady, and
mean to win her after my own fashion,"
81 la Benedick and Beatrice, sup
pose ?"
+" Possibly"
Miss Mowbray writes to friend
:. met Mr.: Willis at Mrs: Austin's
compound of contradiction and self-pos-
session nevr saw. He would not agree
with me upon q single point, though he
is a gentleman with it all. He asked
permission TO call, and is here quite
often. The other day he sent me a
bouquet of purple columbine, lady's
slipper, and mistletoe. In what spirit
know not. In return / sent him a
nosegay of love-in- a-mist, narcissus,
and mountain pink. / am sure l shall
never like him. I never could bear
self-opinionated men; there is too much
independence about them"
Mr.. Willis became q frequent visitor
at Miss Mowbray's, so much so that
people began to look upon him as her
sutton. He escorted her to parties and
receptions, and seemed quite devoted in
his cool, easy way. As for the Young
lady she wangradUally getting over her
old habit of contradiction, and evident
ly beginning to like that 50 exasperatine
compound of contradiction and self
possession.
The spirit of opposition was a novelty
to her, and, woman-like, she rather
liked it. This handsome, strong .willed
gentleman had an influence over ner
which was only possible to a person
possessing strong magnetic power. He
was just the man to manage a spoiled
self-wilied beauty, and she knew it.
But with spirit worthy of a better
cause, she made a determined stand
against all opposition, preliminary to
the unal SuIItuueT, anu tnlS Is now IL
resulted.
One morning Miss Mowbray was sit |
ting in her boudoir, when Mr.. Willis |
card was handed to her with the request |
that she should see him. At first the |
idea occurred to her ssnot to be at |
home" but remembering that it was
his intention to leave soon for another T
part of the world, she slipped on her
favoiite dress and descended to meet
him.
"Ah, good-morning, Mr.. Willis.
Did you find it disagreeable walking %
A pretty blush appeared upon her
cheek, which quickly died at his an
swer.