The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-08-28

"Thank you." And the next mo-
ment they were gliding about the
81 think 1 will sit here, Mr.. Willis"
said Miss Mowbray, in a becomingly
flushed condition, going toward a bay
window.
pardon me, but I do not think it
would be prudent. There may be a
draught there"
She was about to decline the %proffered
seat, but a look from the black eyes de-
cided the qestion.
"There! you have torn the lace from
your fam"
set was an accident, I assure you,"
with a 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 l am sure l shall never like
him."
The object of these remarks ap-
preached to bid the lady goodnight.
"May l have the pleasure of calling
upon you, Miss Mowbray
A refusal was upon her tongue, hut
as there was no reason for refusing the
request she family assented.
What success, Willis? Any sharp
encounters?
every easy to manage, Nelson.
There is nothing like being decided
with such a woman. You fellows don't
know how to do it. 1 detest this as
senting and agreeing to everything,
whether you believe it or not. There is
no sincerity or independence about it.
1t is fashionable and polite to do so, l
know but I look upon it as a false
rule. To tell the truth, l have taken
a fancy to this young lady, and
mean to win her after my own
fashion"
"a Ia Benedick and Beatrice, l sup
pose?"
"Possibly."
Miss Mowbray writes to n friend
u met a Mr.. Willis at Mrs. Austin's |
last reception, and a more cxasperating
compound of contradiction and self !
possession 1 never saw. He would not
agree with NE upon a single point,
though he is Il gentleman with it all.
He asked permission to call. and is
here quite often. The other day he
sent me n bouquet of purple columbine,
lady's slipper, and mistletoe. In what
spirit 1 know not. In return | sent
him a nosegay of ~love.in-a-mist, narcis-
sus, and mountain pink. l am sure /
shall never like him. l never could
bear the self-opinionatcd men /; there is
too much independence about them"
Mr.. Willis became a frequent visito
at Miss Mowbray's, so much so that
people began to look upon him as her
suitor. He escorted her to parties and
receptions, and seemed quite devoted
i'll his cool, easy way. As for the young
lady, she was gradually getting over her
old habit of contradiction, and evident
ly beginning to like that "exasperating
compound of contradiction and self
possession"
The spirit of opposition was a novel
ty to her, and, woman-like, she rather
liked it. This handsome, st~rong-willed
gentleman lad an influence ovcr her
which was only possible to a person
possessing strong magnetic power. He
was just the man to manage a spoiled
beauty, and she knew it.
But with a spirit worthy of a better
cause, she made a determined stand
against all opposition, preliminary the
final surrender, and this is how it re-
One morning Miss Mowbray was sit
in her boudoir, when Mr.. Willis's
card was handed to her with the re-
quest that she should see him. At first
the idea occurred to her "not to be mt
but remembering hat it was
intention to leave soon for another
part of the world, she slipped on her
.favorite dress and descended to meet
him.
"Ah, good-morning, Mr.. Willis.
Did YOU find it disagreeable walk