Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-12-13

method. Ii you are determined UO
, marry Rhoda off to somebody, Phil
Farnham is jus, the fellow-only he
, doesn't admire brunettes, you sea
but you have talked too much about
Phil to her--in his favor, mean. Try
the rule of contrancs. Instead Of
praising him talk him down. Make
her fall in love out Of sheer contrarie
ty, Arouse her pique, enlist her sym
pathy, and she will be dead in love
with the object before the summer is
over. He isn't tar behind her in OBJ
stinacy, either but you manage her,
and leave him to me-
There was little said about Mr..
Farnham to Rhoda after that, and as
he was very rarely in the house, be-
ing out in his yacht or off fishing
most of the time, she was not annoy
ed by his presence or attention. 1t
puzzled her alter awhile, and she won
dered how Phil Farnham came to be
called Fascinating, and a winner of
woman's hearts" when she had not
seen any attempt on his part to make
himself agreeable to any one. She
asked Rob about it one day as they
were coming up from the bath.
81 thought you told me Mr. Farm
ham was q ladies man." said she.
"Why, he hasn't spoken to me once
since he's been here"
ooh, that's because he's SO dread
fully tastidlous," carelessly replied
Rob. "He says there isn't pretty girl
at the house. You know he affects
the blonde style Of beauty. lie de
clares he feels as though he was in
wigwam when he looks down the ta-
bic and sees all these dark faces,
Why, he calls all brunettes 'squaws.'
Ha, ha y and Rob laughed heartily.
Rhoda did not enjoy the joke. She
walked on little quicker, a vivid
flush flaming up in her dark checks,
and answered her cousin sharply:
"The cool insolence-'pale faces, is
refreshing-a little dash of the Indian
would improve Mr. Farnham's man.
ners as well as appearance. 'Squaws,
indeed" :"
Yes, l think so too, Rhoda. l
was provoked at him, for l wanted
him to like you, and he doesn't"
'He doesn't Pray how can he
judge. am sure he hasn't spoken a
word to me since the evening of his
arrival"
"Well, Rhoda, wouldn't have
much to say to him, if were you, if|
he gave you chance But he won't
for he declares he never troubles him
self to pay attention where he does not
admire. There he is now. Let's turn
off this road"
And Rob made an attempt to take
the next path, but Rhoda outHanked
him, and walked boldly by the enemy,
flashing out defiant, bright glance
from beneath her long, jetty lashes as
she bowed good morning. Rob whis'
pered softly to himself and laughed
again, but inaudibly.
"That little cousin of yours has a
fine pair Of eyes, Rob-" yawned Phil
Farnham, lazily, from the depths of
his hammock out on the lawn, where
he and Rob were taking asiesta that
afternoon.
"Yes, but you needn't expect to re-
ceive any admirng glance from them,
Phil she will never take the trouble
to make herself agreeable to the man
who wears them. She calls you
"Dundreary ) and Rob laughed mer-
rily to himself
The hammock swung to and fro so
rapidly now that it threatened to ov-
throw its occupant, and the volume of
smoke that issued therefrom looked
very much as though there might be
raging fire within its depth some
where.
81 say, Rob, let's look in at the hop
tonight" said the voice in the ham,
mock, after long silence. 81 be-
liave I'd like waltz or two"
"Certainly-Tm willing-but
didn't think there was any one here
you would care to waltz with. Oh, /,
recollect now, Miss Merton arrived
here to-day, and will make her debut
in our ro oms this evening. How wild s
you were over her blonde beauty last
winter"
Gun? Yes, very fair and stately.
Well, l Il meet you there tonight |
we'll make our debut, too, in full dress