The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-11-23

De was very rarely IN he mouse, D6lng
cat in his yacht or off fishing most Of
the time, she was not annoyed by his
presence or his attentions. It puzzled
her after awhile, and she wondered how
Phil Farnham came to be called ssfas-
cinating, and winner of women's
hearts" when she had not seen any
attempt on his part to make himself
agreeable to one. She asked Rob about
it one day as they were coming up from
the bath.
81 thought you told me Mr. Farnham
Twas ladies' man." said she. .sWhy,
he hasn't spoken to one since he's been
here.n
''Oh, that's because he's SO dreadful
Ely fastidious," carelessly replied Rob.
t'He says there isn't pretty girl at the
house. You know he affects the blonde
style OF beauty. He declares he feels
as though he was in wigwam when.
he looks down the table and sees all
those dark faces. Why, he, calls all
brunettes ssquaws.' Ha, hal" and Rob
laughed heartily. 8I
Rhoda did not enjoy the joke. She
walked on little quicker, a vivid flush
flaming up into her dark cheeks, and
answered her cousin sharply:
4 "The cool insolence of these red
whiskered pale faces is refreshing-a
little dash of the Indian would improve
Mr.. Farnham's manners, as well as ap-
pearance. sSquaws,' indeed.',
"Yes, think SO too, Rhody. was
provoked at him, for I wanted him to
like you, and he doesn't"
"He doesn't! Pray, how can he
judgeP am sure he hasn't spoken
word to me since the evening of his ar
rival. - s
"Wel, Rhoda, wouldn't have much
to say to him, If were you, if he gave
you chance. But he won't, for he de-
clares he never troubles himself to pay
attention where he does not admire.
There he is now. Let's turn off this
road" f M ~
And Rob made an attempt to take the
next path, but Rhoda outhanked him,
and walked boldly by the enemy, fash
ing out a defiant, light glance from
beneath her long, jetty flashes as she
bowed good morning. Rob whispered
softly to himself and laughed again, but
inaudibly. ,
"That little cousin of yours has a
fine pair of eyes, Bob,', yawned Phil.
farnham, 1azily, from the depths of his
hammock out on the lawn, wher, he
and Bob were taking siesta that AFTER
noon. t~.sgs.. b - .,.gsgs--,
:" Yes, but you needn't expect to re-
ceive any admiring glance from them,
Phil; she will pever take the trouble to
make herself agreeable to a man who
wears them. She calls YOU Dun
dreary )" and Bob laughed merrily to
himself. ~ fs IA -
The hammock swung to and fro so
rapidly now that il threatened to over
throw its occupant, and the volume of
smoke that issued thsr6from looked
very much IS though there might be
raging Ere within its depths some
where
81 say, Rob, let's look il at the hop
to light, 'ssaid the voice ii the ham
mock, after q long silence. q believe
I'd like a waltz or two
"Certainly--I'm willing-but ri
didn't think there was any one here
you would care to waltz with. Oh. I /
recollect now, Miss Merton arrived to- |
day, and will make her debut in our
rooms this evening. How wild Won
ter.n
"Ump Yes, very fair and stately.
well, III meet you there tonight
We'll make our debut, too, in full dress
red whiskers' and ALL" he added. So
to voce. : fl0s aIa 8f< |
Rhoda was radiant that evening. She
lighted up well, and in wonderful |
buff and scarlet combination of silk.
lace, and flowers, the pretty, little, 1.-the,
dark figure swayed in the waltz and
whirled in the galop like some bright
tropical bird. She danced divinelv and
loved the waltz with girlish feryor.
Therefore she did not refuse Mr.. Farm
ham "the pleasure when he came to-
ward her early in the evening and
begged the honor of her hand. She
discovered at glance that he Waited
like "god;" and, as she often de-
clared, she 'swould dance with a Chin
if he could glide with her
STEP" She did not refuse him once af-
ter. t-sErkza
Somehow, it must have been for the
same reason of course, Phil Farnham
waltzed oftener with her than with any
other lady in the room; and in spite of
his prediction for blondes, brunettes
appeared in the ascendant that evening,
and the fair debutante, Miss Merton. {
paled and languished with jealousy as
she noticed the attention-nay, devo- i
tion-that ''little, dark Miss Brent'' S
was receiving from her preux chevalier
of last winter. 3
:" l never thought Phil Farnham any '
thing of flirt before!" said Mrs. Sher S