The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-11-01
MISS DABNEY.


1t had been universally conceded among
Louise Dabney' friends that she was not
a favorite with gentlemen-that fortune
so essential to feminine well-being.
Whether it was from lack of beauty
(though about that there were diversi-
ties of opinion), or because of a cold and
critical manner, certain reserve, ire
sponsive to the masculine touchstone,
an innats detestation 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 senti-
ments, andshe may have wondered secret
ly by what spells other girls who were
not SO well bred nor so intelligent, and GER
tain no fairer, gathered groups of lovers
about them, while she stood by, alone
and uncared for-not that she coveted n
plurality-but 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 amiable weakness.
"Louise has never had Irritation, q
love affair or a proposal" her friends
quite correct in their verdict. She had
had "an interest, to putt mildly, ever
since that dreadful night on the Continent
when her uncle had been brought lifeless
into the little out-of-the-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, had taken her burdens upon
himself, and had been like shadow in
weary land to the desolate girl, and
had finally escorted 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
manifested toward her had seemed to
crystalize, without developing into any
thing more personal and particular.
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 kindness, and said "How can 1
ever reward you?" "By always COM
ing to me when you need Kindness" he
had answered, but he thought "She
is less emotional that 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, yek.Mr. Northcote
had never advanced ~ 6pearer and
if she had abandoned the flame
still smouldered, ready IT, kekindled
by wo-d, touch, and Qbody the
wiser, not even the inters y friends,
who thought Louise neglected her op-
portunities that any other girl would
have had an offer, at least, under the
circumstances.
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 if
she attracted nobody? Besides there
WIS nothing else to do. To abstain from
the popular amusement seemed like
reproaching those who engage in it. Mr..
Leroy appeared to adopt her views. If
she walked, he followed like her shadow;
If the river allured, his boat was at
hand !; if driving were in order, he
acquaintance had begun, moreover,
under the most favorable auspices, to
take romantic view of it. She had dis
covered 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 graft
tude ON one hand, gallantry on the other;
he has established claim to conversation,
and discovers that they are both bound for
the same hospitable roof at Valley Farm.
Gould a Irritation be ushered in more
propitiously9
"Really, ;" whispered Mrs. Furniss, a
fortnight later, sitting on the veranda
and looking toward Louise, who sat i'll
the hammock which Leroy was lazily
swinging, 81 believe Miss Dabney has
made an impression"
"Who is Mr.. Leroy ?" asked the gen.
tleman to whom she spoke, and who had
Just arrived in the last train.
"a capital catch"
Alliterative at least. And has Miss
Dabney landed him 2"
"She could if she would. 1t isn't his
fault if she hasn't"
81 shouldn't say that Miss Dabney
was susceptible"
"How did you find that out, Mr..
, Northcote ?" laughed the hostess.
"By natural processes, / believe.
"Im told she isn't favorite with
your sex; but exceptions prove the rule
/ never knew her to have q Irritation
before, confess"
Is this Irritation"
son her side, yes. It's her very in
difference that attracts Leroy. He'l
used to being made much of, and to have
the girls thrown at his head, SO te