American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-11-03
MIssDABNEY,s FILTRATION

R. ". Glider, in ScTibner for NOaember.
MISS DABNEY'S FILTRATION
1t had been universally conceded
among Louise Dabney's friends that she
was not a favorite with gentlemen-that
ing. Whether it was from lack of beau
ty Though about that there were diver
sites of opinion), or because of cold
and critical manner, certain reserve
irresponsible to the masculine touch
stone, an innate disdain of Irritation, of
making an effort to please one sex more
than another, who could say? Louise
was herself aware that she inspired the
masculine heart with no serious
sentiments, and she may have won
dered secretly by what spells other girls
who were not so well bred nor so intel
igent, and certainly no fairer, gathered
groups of lovers about them, while she
stood by alone and uncared for-not
that she coveted a plurality what
charm had they to which she could not
aspire? Every woman loves admiration,
and it is not to be supposed that Louise
Dabney was superior to this amia5le
weakness.
&c Louise has never had Irritation, a
love affair, or proposal" her friends
would have told you; but they were not
quite correct in their verdict. She had
had 60 an interest, - put it mildly, ever
since that dreadful night on the CONT
nent when her uncle had been brought
way place among the mountains, and
had left her alone among people
speaking an unfamiliar jargon, with the
sea rolling between herself and home !;
and Loring Northcote had come to her
aid, though a total stranger, and taken
her burdens upon himself, and had been
like a shadow in a weary land to the
desolate girl, and had finally es-
corted her home across the sea, with
his widowed sister as chaperon. Since
that period there had been more or less
intercourse between them, to be sure,
but the half-tender regard he had mani
tested toward her had seemed to crys-
tallize, without developing into any
thing more personal and particular.
So 1t is only his way with all women, ~
she said, and excused him in her heart.
And when she had thanked him for all
his kindnesses, and said, elbow can
ever reward youl'' 'By always COM
ing to me when you need Kindness he
had answered, but he thought, &c She is
less emotional than sphinx" And
though Louise had more than half eX-
pected that their relations would grow
closer as time sped, had, perhaps, some
right to expect it, yet Mr.. Northcote had
never advanced step nearer; and il
she had abandoned hope, the flame still
smoldered, ready to be kindled by d
word, touch, and nobody the wiser,
not even the interested friends, who
thought Louise neglected her opportu-
mites; that any other girl would have
had an offer, at least, under the circum-
stances.
1t was the following season, which she
spent at the fine old mansion of friend,
when, seeing the company dispensing
day after day by twos, she resolved to
amuse herself like the rest-to do as the
Romans. Every woman likes to believe
that she has her own little attractions,
and how was she to make sure of it il
she attracted nobody? Besides, there
was nothing else to do. To abstain
from the popular amusement seemed
like reproducing those who engaged in
it. Mr.. Leroy appeared to adopt hel
views. If she walked, he followed like
her shadow; if the river allured, his BOA
was at hand; if driving were in order
he handled the reins like Jehu. Then
acquaintance had begun, moreover
under the most favorable auspices, tc
take a romantic view of it. She had
discovered that her pocket had beer
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 &
claim to conversation, and discovers thai
they are both bound for the same hospi.
table roof at Valley Farm. Could a fir.
tation be ushered in more propitiously
'sReally," whispered Mrs. Furniss, a
fortnight later, sitting on the veranda
and looking toward Louise, who sat in
the hammock which Leroy was Iazily
swinging, 81 believe Miss Dabney has
made an impression
sEWho is Mr.. Leroy?'' 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