The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-06-13
mias DAmsKy



vas not tavorIle With the gentlemen
that fortune % essential 10 femisiDe well
being. Whether Il wAs from lack Of
beauty though about lhA, there were di.
yersities Of opinions-beoause Of 8 cold
and critical manner, certain reserve ir-
responsive TO The masculine toucb-stope,
an Innate disdAln u Irritation, Of making
so eilor, to please one ser more than an
other, who could sAyi Louise was her-
self aware tbA. she inspired The masculine
heart with no serious sentiments, and
she may have wondered secretly by what
spells other girls who were not 80 well
bred nor so intelligent, aud certainly no
fairer, gathered groups OF lovers about
them, while she stood by alone and I'M
cared for. Not that she coveted plu.
raiity--but what charm bad they TO which
she could not Aspiref Every woman
loves admiration, and 1t is not to be sup
posed that Louise Dsbpey was superior
to this animal weakness.
| Louise has never bad Irritation, a
/ love affair, or q proposal, her friends
would have told you; but they were not
quite correct in their verdict. She had
had an interest, 10 put il mildly, ever
since -ihst dreadful night on the Conti-
nent when her uncle had been brought
/ lifeess into the little out-ofthe.way-
place among the mountains, and bad leit
her alone among people speaking an un-
familiar jArgon, with the sea rolling be-
tween herself and home; and Loring
Northcote had come to her aid, though a
| total stranger, had taken her burdens
upon himself, aud bad been like ashadow
Ia weary land to the desolate girl, and
had finally escorted her home across the
sea, with bis widowed mother and sister
as chaperon. Since that period there had
been more or less intercourse between
them, TO be sure, but the half-lender re-
gard he had manifested toward her had
seemed TO crystalize, without developing
into anything more personal and particu-
lar.
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 ever re-
ward your BY always coming to me
when You need kindness, he bad answer
al hn1 bn ihouahf Che 70 laSa amntioua |
than a sphinx. And though Louise had
more than half expected that their rela.
tions would grow closer as time sped |;
had, perhaps, come right TO expect it, yet
Mr.. Northcote had never advanced a step
nearer; and if she had abandoned hope,
the flame still smoudered, ready to be
rekindled by aword, touch, and nobody
the wiser, not even the interested friends
who thought Louise neglected her oppor-
tunities; that any other girl would have
had an offer, at least, under the circum-
stances.
II was the following season, which she
spent at the fne old mansion OF friend /,
when, seeing the company day by 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 II she attracted
nobody Besides, there was nothing else
to do. To abstain from the popular
amusement seemed like reproaching
those who engaged in it. Mr.. Leroy ap-
peared to adopt her views. If she walk
ed, he followed her like ber shadow; If
the river sliured, his boat was at hand /;
ii driving were in order, be handled the
reins like a Jehu. Their acquaintance
bad begun, moreover, under the most ia
vorsble auspices, TO take romantic view
OF il. She had discovered that her pock-
ct had been picked on the cars of both
money and tickets. A handsome stranger
steps forward to the relief Of the distress
ed damsel; gratitude on one haad, gal.
lantry on the other; he has established 9
claim to conversation, and discovers that
they are both bound for the same hospit-
able roof at Valley Farm. Could fir
tstion be ushered insmorc propitiously2
Really, whispered Mrs. Furniss, a fort
night later, sitting on the veranda aud
looking toward Louise, who sat in the
hammock, which Leroy was lazily swing.
ing, believe, Miss Dabney has made an
1 impression.
Who is Mr.. Leroyy asked the gentle
man 10 whom she spoke, and who bad
Just arrived in the last train.
A capital catch.
/ AlliierAtive at least. And hss Miss
Dabney landed him?
She could IL she would. II isn't his
fault il abe hasn't.'
| shouldn't say that Miss DabDey was
susceptible.
How did you find that out, Mr.. North
cotel laughed the hostess.
BY natural processes, believe,
/ I'm told she isn't fsvorile with your
sex; but exceptions prove the rule. !
never knew her to have Aiusiion before
! confess.
/ IL THIS nirtaiions
On her side, yes. rs her very iodiG-
erence thA, attracts Leroy. Hes used to
being made much Of, aud TO have The
girls thrown Al bis bead, so to speak. As
she dcesn't want TO marry him, sbe can
afford to be andAcious.
/ didn't ihink she would conlesceud to
L firt.
kea seem 10 have made study Of Miss
DAbney. think she didn't wish to be
len ont in the cold. All my guests seem
10 be 81 paired of this season. You will
have 10 devote yourself 70 me, Mr.. North.