The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-05
Mabel WeStoq's Choice.

y"
In the parlor of hotel in fashionable
watering place in Northern State sat q
group of ladies discussing new arrival.
"She must be twenty -four" said one,
"and will certainly be married before long;
why she has never married before, with her
face, figure and fortune, is puzzle to me;
bnt then, gentlemen do not always seek
those qualities in a wife"
(Which ought to be a great comfort to
you," eaid another 'Rest assured that it is
Mabel Weston's fault alone that she is not
Mrs. Somebody But, fastidious and
naughty as she is, she will step out of our
way when the right one comes along"
The subject of these remarks was in her
room, arrayed in magnificent toilet, await
ing, in Gstless sort Of way, the summons
to dinner. At last she was seated at the
table with her Cousin Tom at her side Her
entrance had createda sensation; she recog-
nized the fact intuitively. But the adula-
ton of crowd was SO very commonplace q
thing to her, that she cared less to discuss
the quality of the praise given than the
quality of the viands set before her.
"What do you think of the company,
Mabel?" said Tom as he led her out Of the
dining hall.
"Oh, one can scarcely tell yet" she an
swered. ''The men, strung out in a row,
reminded me of lay figures in tailors
shop. I find tho same number of pretty
faces at all these places. Tom, if had not
got over my passion for dolls years ago, I
might get entrapped by some of yondor
creatures before leave"
''You are bad case, Mabel. am afraid
you will remain Miss Weston all your
life."
''Better to live as I am than to give my
hand without my heart"
"You are queer girl Mabel, and don't
believe it will pay me to make an impress
sion on you So, since you don't like our
!; young men, let me introduce to you a
friend standing there, nearly old enough to
be your father"
''Who is he ?'
"a widower from Louisville; one of ou
great steamboat men, with plenty of money,
whose name is as familiar as a household
word throughout Kentucky and along the
Ohio. Shall present him"
'Do, please"
) GAN right; wait here a moment, and II
bring him TO you"
So in another minute Capt. Gilmore and
; Mabel Weston were introduced. Two
, hours afterward Tom met them strollinG
) slowly through the thickly shadowed walk
of a maple grove. She laughing gayly a
something the captain was telling her, anc
. the flush of pleasure on her face causet
: Tom to run his hand down in his pockets
and gave low whistle, which with hin
was the expression of great surprise.
Capt Gilmore is booked, that's Ger
tain," calculated Tom, as he looked afte
$ them. ''The idea of Mabel talking to on
= man all this time, and then looking
: as if she was not in the least tired o
= him."
The captain was, as Tom had said, dou
e BILE the age of Mable, but the years reste
l on him so lightly that one would not tax
him to be more than thirty five. He wa
of medium height, but possessed NOR
l. commanding physique and bearing tina
!, many larger man could boast. He SCENE
p born to command This subtle power
e control made him feared, and often dislikee
}, by his subordinates, but drew his friend
IS closer to him. He was fine-looking On
n possessed peculiar magnetism that exerte
e ! itself in greater or less degree over a
It that knew him.
If And now this woman, over whom tt
', breath of many passing love fancies ha
d swept, but never touched, began in tn
d first meeting to realize that her senses WEI
u being aroused to an interest in this mai
re and as the days passed on, chance and il
is clination threw her almost constantly
le Capt. Gilmore's society. It was not los
before Mabel Weston knew that the leas
slEG