San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1877-11-10


like reproaching those who engaged in
it. Mr.. Leroy appeared to adopt her
views. II she walked, he followed like
her shadow; If the river allured, his boat
was at hand; if driving were in order,
he handled the reins like Jehu. Their
acquaintance had begun, moreover,
under the most favorable auspices, to
take a romantic view of it. She had
discovered that her pocket had been
picked on the cars of both money and
tickets. A handsome stranger steps
forward to the relief of the distressed
damsel; gratitude on one hand; gallant
ry on the other; he has established a
claim to conversation, and discovers that
they are both bound for the same hospi-
table roof at Valley Farm. Could flir-
tation be ushered in more propitiouslyF
IDEALLY" whispered Mrs. Furniss, a
fortnight later, sitting on the veranda
and looking toward Louise, who sat in
the hammock which Leroy was lazily
swinging, 81 believe Miss Dabney has
made an impression" ..aT.
"Who IS Mr.. LeroyP" asked the gen.
tleman to whom she spoke, and who
had Just arrived in the last train.
GA capital CATCH"
"Alliterative at least. And has Miss
Dabney landed him?"
"She could if she would. 1t isn't his
fault if she hasn't"
81 shouldn't say that Miss Dabney
was susceptible"
elbow did you find that out, Mr..
Northcote?" laughed the hostess. nv7
"By natural processes, l believe"
"I'm told she isn't q favorite with
your sex; but exceptions prove the rule.
I never knew her to have Irritation be-
fore, 1 confess" ...
els this tlirtationp''
"On her side, yes. It's her very in
difference that attracts Leroy. He's
used to being made much of, and to
have the girls thrown at his head, so to
speak. AS she doesn't want to marry
him, she can afford to be audacious.
81 didn't think she would condescend
to firt.''
"You seem to have made study OF
Miss Dabney. l think she didn't wish
to be left out in the cold. All my guests
seem to be paired off this season. You
will have to devote yourself to me, Mr..
Northcoto, unless l import another
blessed damosel.'
"Don't, l beg; l am content with the
blessings the gods have provided.
"You might dispute Louise with Mr..
Leroy, to be sure"
"True. Let us begin by interrupting
the tcte-G-tete."
"Mr. Northcote," said Louise, "this
is pleasure for which Mrs. Furniss had
not prepared u.s.
"Excuse me, but your friend doesn't
look as if he regarded it in that light"
said Northcote, aside. 81 hope l am
not de trop."
az didn't know that such humility
as that hope suggests was trait OF your
SEX"
"Shall go away againP'
"Why, certainly not, Immediately; it
would look as if | had snubbed you"
"And Pm not sure but you have"
1t was doubtless pleasant to have
spectator witness her refutation of the
popular prejudice respecting her want
of attraction, and that the spectator
should be Mr.. Northcote added piquan-
CIV to the affair. cat least he will see
that somebody finds me worth cultivat-
ing" she reelected. But in spite of this
she found herself incapable of entering
into the spirit of Irritation with the same
unconcern after Northcote's arrival.
She felt a perpetual insane desire to
shorten the walks and drives. that she
might hasten back to his neighborhood,
and know just how he was passing the
time, that she might see his face and
hear his voice. But the further she with
drew, the closer Leroy pursued, the old
adage that bird in hand is worth two in
the bush not holding good in love
affairs. But when Miss Dabney ventur-
ed to flirt, she did not know it entailed
serious results. She had such small be-
lief in her powers of fascination that
she would have laughed at the idea of
Mr.. Leroy being in danger or in earn
est. There was no one else at leisure to
receive his attentions, to listen to his
when other women arrived, all
this would be transferred, and she would