The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-09-11


would be prudent. There may be
draught there"
She was about to decline the profere,
seat, but look from the black eyes de
cided the qestion.
"There you have torn the lace from
your FAM
F It was an accident, I 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, a.
she stood in the vestibule waiting fol
her carriage, CT cannot make hin
out, and am sure I shall never like
him.
The object of these remarks ap.
preached to bid the lady goodnight.
May I 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 family assented.
''What success, Willis /? Any sharp
encounters ?"
Very easy to manage, Nelson.
There is nothing like being decided
with such a woman. You fellows don't
know how to do it. I 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, 1
know; but I look upon it as a false
rule. To tell the truth, I have taken
a fancy to this young lady. and
mean to win her after my own
fashion,
" A Ia Benedick and Beatrice, I sup
pose ?"
Possibly"
Miss Mowbray writes to a friend
met a Mr.. Willis at Mrs. Austin's
last reception, and more exasperatine
compound of contradiction and self
possession L never saw. He would not
agree with me upon 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 I know not. In return sent
him nosegay of lote-in-a-mist, narcis-
sus, and mountain pink. I am sure I |
shall never like him. I never could |
bear the self-opinionated men there is |
too much independence about them"
Mr.. Willis became frequent visito
1t Miss Mowbray's, so much so that
people began to look upon him as her
'u1tor. He escorted her to parties and
eceptlons, and seemed quite devoted
his cool, easy way. As for the young
ady, she was gradually getting over her
I'D habit of contradiction, and evident
= beginning to like that " exasperating
of contradiction and self
The spirit of opposition was novel
= to her, and, woman-like, she rather
Lked 1t. This handsome, strong-willed s
entleman bad an influence over her
inch was only possible to a person
assessing strong magnetic power. He {
as just the man to manage a spoiled t
slf-willed beauty, and she knew it. S
ut with a spirit worthy of better t
ause, she made a determined stand '
5alnst all opposition, preliminary to the {
nal surrender, and this is how it re- a
lIted. t.
One morning Miss Mowbray was sit r
ng in her boudoir, when Mr.. Willis's a
lrd was handed to her with the re- c
lest that she should see him. At first a
70 idea occurred to her "not to be at p
'me," but remembering that it was &
s intention to leave soon for another n
rt OF the world, she slipped on her tt
vorlte dress and descended to meet 81
M. tt
" All, good-morning, Mr.. Willis. b
ID you find it disagreeable walk CT
g ?' b
A pretty blush appeared upon her c
eek, which quickly died at his an
er.
''T The walking, Miss Mowbray, 1
md very pleasant" She was almost tt
sdy to die with vexation. al
'' don't see how you can say so, sir, l.
zen the dust is perceptibly ankle-deep
the road % 81
. It is very easily explained, Miss ns
'wbray. I used the sidewalk" ",
. Oh /! and SO you are going to Cali w. ~
MIA ?'' tn
Ter eyes were obstinately fixed upon hr
carpet as she spoke.
1t was my intention to do SO, and I be
led to announce my departure. % re
he assumed Indifference, but the ~,
'rt was very transparent. ~
How long do you expect to be r