Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-04-04
GALES aud Sketehes.
MISS DABNEY.

1t had been universally conceded among
Louise Dabney's friends that she was not
a favOrite with gentlemen-that fortune 90
essential to feminine well-being. Wheth-
er 1t was from lack OF beauty (though
about that there were diversities of opin-
ion,) or because of cold and critical
manner, certain reserve irresponsive to
the masculine touch-stone, an innate dis
dan OF filtration, 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
wondered secretly by what spells other
girls who were not SO well-bred nor so in
telligent, and certainly no fairer, gathered
groups of lovers about them, while she
stood by alone and uncared for-not that
she coveted pluraity-but what charm
had they to which she could not aspire
Every woman loves admiration, and ii is
not to be supposed that Louise Dabney
was superior to this amiable weakness.
Louise has never had a Irritation, q
love affair. or a proposal" her friends
would have told you; but they were not
quite correct in their verdict. She had
had ian interest,"" to put it 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-roling between her.
self and home and Loring Northcote had
come to her aid, though total stranger,
had taken her burdens upon himself, and
had been like q shadow in a 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 de-
veloping into anything more personal and
particular.
at 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. "How can l ever re-
ward you?" "By always coming to mo
when you need Kindness" he had an.
swered, but he thought, "She is less emo
tional than a sphinx" And though Louise
had more than half expected that their
relations would grow closer as time sped,
had, perhaps, some right to expect it, yet
Mr.. Northcote had never advanced a step
nearer; and if she had abandoned hope,
the flame still smouldered. ready TO be re-
kindled by word, a touch, and nobody
the wiser, not even the interested friends,
who thought Louise neglected her oppor-
.unities; 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
bv 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 no.
bodyP Besides. there was nothing else to
do. To abstain from the popular amuse-
ment seemed like reprOaching those en-
gagged 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 or
der, 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 discov-
cred that her pocket had been picked on
the ears of both money and tickets. A
UituSOuit otCPo iOi W 6iu W tuC
relief of the distressed damsel; gratitude
on one hand, gallantry on the other hand;
he has established a claim to conversation,
and discovers that they are both bound for
the same hospitable roof at Valley Farm.
Could a fration be ushered in more pro-
pitiouslyP
Really" whispered Mrs. Furniss,
fortnight later, sitting on the veranda and
looking toward Louise, who sat In the
hammock which Leroy was lazily swing
ing, Il 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"
"Allerative at least. And has Miss
Dabney landed him ?"
"She could if she would. 1t isn't his
fault if she hasn't"
II shouldn't say that Miss Dabney was
susceptible"
"Ilow did you find that out, Mr.. North
cote ''' laughed the hostess.
by natural processes, l believe"
I'm told she isn't favorite with your
sex; but exceptions prove the rule.
never knew her to have a Irritation before
| confess.
us this Irritation ?''
"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 10 speak. As
she doesn't want to marry him, she can
afford to be audacious."
II didn't think she would condesceud
to firt."
You seem to have made a study of
Miss Dabney. l think she didn't wish to
be LETT out in the cold. All my guests
seem to be paired off this season. You
will have to devote yourself. to me. MIR.
Northcote. unless import another bless
ed damosel.'"
Don't beg; I am content with the
blessings the gods have provided"
"You might dispute Louise with Mr..
LEROY, to be sure"
True. Let us begin by nterrppting
the tete-a-tete."
'Mr. Northcote, said Louise, "this is q
pleasure for which Mrs. Furniss had not
prepared u.s."
"ExCuse me hut vour friend doesnit