Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-05-20
sistence was very charming. ''what have

DO, of which was thinking-when you
are grewn young lady-when you be
gin TO think of leaving Jack"
81 shall neUer leave jack" the pretty
hand-pretty although it was darkened
here aid there in the argument with the
fire-came DOWN fOreibly on the floor be-
side her. 'Never, Mr.. VanderventerI'
"But if you cared for any one-as you
will some day, my dear child-and Jack,
knowing that you would be happy with
him, should be willing, then IL would be
different, you know"
But the pretty head still shook in a
. most decided negative. Jack would
never be willing, know. And"-there
was a sudden little fash of temper in the
girlish vOiee-'and don't like you talk
ing about nay caring for any one else ex-
ceDt Jack and"
tsABd whom 80 said Mr.. Vanderventer,
Iazily admiring the heightened color and
bright eyes. - And whom, MignOnne -
.sAnd YOU" she said, looking up at
him in her frank. childish way. 81 like
you, Mr.. Vanderventer."
He laughed, lazy little l9asls--sae
SHY honest. am very glad yoas 90 :
he said. ''But HlIyF
because you don't wear yeiveteen
coat; because you don't smoke hOrrid
pipe; because you don't talk slang; be-
cause you keep your hands nice; and be-
cause-beause dOr'
''Thanks." How refreshingly candid
she was. "And like you, too, little girl
We are excellent friends. But you VIII
outerow IL presently; 1 shall be quite left
behind when you are young lady.
He had offended her now; he saw it in
the droOp of her eyelids aud at the cor
ners of her mouth.
sits like once, like always, with US
Chandrans,' she said, rising, and stand
ing with one hand resting on the mantel,
looking down intently at the fire; and
then for time they We're Silent. The
lazily handsome gentleman was entirely
too indolent, it seemed, to carry the con-
versation farther, and contented himself
with looking at her through his half
closed ewes, and admiring her immensely.
1t was perfectly absurd for him to feel
toward child like her as he did. He ad-
mired her, he was facinated by her pref
ty ways and frank childishness. s'If she
were few years older, /" he thought, 81
should be afraid that L was falling in love
with her; but child like that-it's alb
surd - and so he rose to 60
s'By the way, ,Mignonne," he said, 81
quite forgot it, but have an engagement.
My cousin has just returned, and must go
and welcome her. | am going to bring
her around sOme time to see Jacks pic
tures-and you. | am sure you will like
her" Aud SO he departed, smiling.
But Mignonne, oddly enough, did not
smile as the door closed after him. The
fire needed attention again, and, kneel-
ing down to look at il, two bright tears
fell on the Goals. And why: Weren't
she and Mr.. Vanderventer excellent
friends? ?" Had he not just told her that
he "liked her. tOO?" And was she nOta
very pretty little girl, who would some
day have numerous lovers? Ii was very
foolish and childish of her, certainly
but then she was only little girl, and
little girls, rs well rs big ones, are very
silly sometimes.
Yes, Frederica NandcFventer had re-
turned, and had apprised her devoted
cousin of that fact-moreoyer, she was
extremely glad 10 see him when he ap-
peared, and was in the most anialite and
charming frame Of mind imaginable.
at was too trying for you to be obliged
to desert Us, she said. 81 found it very
dull after You left, After one is engag-
ed, you know, she is rather set aside
and as l promised not to fiirt, felt oblig-
ed to keep faith"
Ofcoarse Philip Vanderventer was de-
lighted to have his affianced return TO
town; of course he had felt wretchedly
unhappy and out OF sorts during her alb
distrUit and i'll at ease that evening, aud
even Fsederica noticed it.
elbow have you spent your time:' she
asked, as he stood by the piano turning
her music, and trying to look ineXpTessi- |
bly, happy, but succeeding only in look /
ing tremendously bored. 81 heard from
the ClaxtOn's that you had gone picture
mad-Odd you didn't mention it in your
letters. They said YOU we're Studying |
with an artist-Shandler- think-tell |
me about it, "
'tChandran the name is. [ have been !
to his studio frequently, I'I take you /
there sometime; you would like his pic /
tures, think"
''He has sister, believe" she bent |
in her pretty, near-sighted way, I
to look at her notes, and thea locked up !
At him. SIS she pretty ?"
He laughed, and then grew suddenly /
grave. ''Very," he answered, zone of I
the lOYeliest faces that l ever saw, but |
m re child--about fourteen 1 should /
Judge. You must go with inc and see her, /
Frederiea, l ann sureyou would think her |
A charming little girl--sls do; - and then I
he sauntered lazily away to pay his res /
poets TO his aunt before departing.
The next day he did not appear at the L
studio, nor the next, but the third day, /
when MignOnne MAS working busily at I
her own little window, grand carriage I
drew up at the door, and looking out, she |
saw Philip Vanderventer smiling up at i
her, but he was not alone; tall, fair /
faced young lady, dressed in the height /
of fashion, was with him, and they came /
mp the narrow stairway together. 4
'sMr. Chandran, Frederies," " said Mr..
VandeFyenter, ssmy cousin, Miss Vailt!er-
Chandran;r and then Miss Van I
lerventer, went into iady-iike raptures (
over the pictures, and wondered, admir-
ed, and criticised, after the manner of /
young ladies in studiOes from time imme- I
until it was time TO depart.
'By the way" she said, as she drew (
her shawl around her, 4 hear that you 4
have sister, Mr.. Chaldran, Philip has I
spoken of her so admiringly that l really /
want TO see her." but although Jack de-
parted in search of her, no Mignonne /
could be Sound, and Miss Nanderventer /
was obliged to content herself with look 4
ut the sketch which her cousin produced /
from some mysterious hiding place. II !
really wish you painted portraits" was
her last gracious remark to Jack, Il I
should surely have mine painted" and /
so she departed-her shimmering silks, /
her slHy laoes, her dainty gloves, and her I
almost Impossible bonnet, making her
the center of attraction in the shabby |
street, and Philip Vanderyenter Went
with her aud shared her glory.
Some way, now that E'redrie;l had ar .
rived, Philip Nauderventer was not so
frequently at the studio. Frederica, aud
Frederica's wants and whims occupied /
his time pretty thoroughly, but wheney-
,r hecOUld escape to the comforting shah
bipess and unceremOniOusness of Giueek
street, he did so.
Frederica was nice, charming, in every
way a model .fd',cee, but, some way, hc
never felt quite at ease with her. There
Vas nothing childish, Uniformed or fresh /
about her; She had been s'in society," un-
i'll she was perfectly acquainted with its
exits, and complications, and 7
was a thorough young lady OF the world I
IN every respect.
Her cousin admired her, appreciated
ier beauty, her manners and her conver-
sation, and had fallen into the family ar
without murmur; had been
as u ''lucky fellow" by his
snyiOuS friends, and had taken it for I
granted that he WAS one indeed, without (
sXerting himself to think much about it
my way. Latterly, however, he had be-
sun TO see things little differently; he
lad found himself once or twice, differ
ng with the ''divine Frederiea,' - he be-
gan to think vaguely, that perhaps eye E
glasses were not the prettfest things in
he world, and to object to being perpet-
Ially heInmed in by his aunt's rigid rules
md restrictions. Therefore, after lit
lie, the mOuOtOuOus engagement was en-
iyened by little differences which, be-
-ween a couple less high in the social
icale, would have been called downright
luarrels-after which Philip would re-
ire to Glueck street for comfort and con-
'OlatiOn. ---
Il don't know what l should do with
1nt little friend like yOu,'' he said 10
NignOnne, during one of these seasons Of
cooperation. "It's solid comfort to run