West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-05-24
NelPs RuSe.

Mr. Asher, Mr. Cole; Mr. Cole, my old
friend Tod Asher. And now gentlemen.
that have broken the ice, you will please
excuse me for few minutes, as | see am
wanted.
And the speaker, Harry Johnson. who
was a general favorite, turned smilngly
away, and crossed the ball room to where a
group of ladies stood gayly bcckoning him
with their fans
Happy to make your acquaintance, Mr.
Cole, munnured Mr.. Asher, in "a low. mu-
scal voice.
The pleasure is mutual, assure You. ."
politely replied the gentleman addressed !,
" besides, il is an odd conccit of mine, but
you seem To me like AN old friend. Your
have face is strangely familiar.
Indeed, no; | think we have never
met before. ann a stranger in this part of
the country. But come, if YOU do not in
tend 10 join the dancers. let us 90 10 the
piazza where we can watch them, and hare
quiet chatf'
agreed. Dancing is a bore, and a ci
gar is IA better companion than lady. Do
you smoker
And as they seated themselves, Cole pro
duced cigar, and offered one 10 his com
paniOn.
certain whether To accept or decline the in
vitation, then replied.
"Thank you, / do not smoke at present
My physician forbds it. am in rather
delicate health
$50 should Judge you look anything
but strong, and your complexion is us pale
az girls.
"lndeed!' and the speakers voice SCUM
ded rather cOntemptuons. 500 YOU know
thHt consider that rather compliment l'
"Umph! Our opinions differ somewhat
on that subject, my friend. Now / don't
believe that women are so much like angels
as some people would make them out to
be, replied Cole.
The handsome, girlish face of thc listener
flushed, and he exclaimed in astonishmcnt:
''You cannot have mother and sisters.
Mr. Cole, or you would not possess such an
opinion"
"Sisters, no-a mother, yes-in Heaven.
She was an angel on earth, Mr. Asher, il
ever there was one, but the girls of to-day
are not like her. They are but butterflies
and care for nothing but hirlatons and
fashions.
81 hope and believe that you are mis-
taken, sir Perhaps YOU have not sought
for anything deeper than what Irritation
win reveal; and if 50, how can YOU blame
the ladies for playing the Roland 20 your
Oliverf'
"Well, every one 10 his liking Of
course; the world is made up of OppOsles
But, ! freely confess that I look upon the
ladies as merely pleasant amusement for am
idle hour nothing more. Why, man, all
they want is lattery. But at present ] have
no time TO waste ON them, for ! got my
hands full in subjugating the proudcst
beauty Of them all naughty, lovely Nell
Atherton. J wish you could see her really "
His listener smiled oddly, hut replied
with eagerness.
'l wish ] could. Can You not point
her ont TO me2"
con, she's not here 90 night, she Is oil
on a weeks visit to some relatives If she
were present, / should not be here, you
may he sure. No, indeed, Pretty Nell
accepts no lukewarm attentions, can tell
you; She would chain me 20 her side the
whole evening. But then she's fond of me.
there's no mistake about that
you think sO}' and Tod Nehcr's lip
curlcd
"Think Why, my dear boy, I'm sure
+ it I'd like tO zee the girl who could
Withstand me ha, hal Why, shs cannot
bear 10 have me ont of sight tell you,
Asher
Gwen, and that surely must bc pleas
ant I cannot imagine anything moro
agreeable than to be with those we love.
Ia, ha, ha,' laughed Cole iu great
amusement; "but don't love her. you see.
J have made % wager That / can bring hcr
90 my arms, and will do 70 too. I'm sure
Of my game; but as for love, pshnw
don't believe iu 10.
'SBut perhaps She does, replied Asher
mcanlngly
oven, what of thati Girls have no
hearts 20 break or If they have new silk
dress viii speedily cure thc worst case oi
heart ache ever known.
But IN my case, don't but know what
shall marry Nell
She loves mc and ! should be rather
proud of such handsome wife, besides
suppose ! should be- bitterly envied by che
village galluls for carrying oT the prize.
But ! should not marry her for love-
mind you, but ont of consideration for hcr
fathers money bags ha, ha!'
Really, your ideas are peculiar Mr.
Cole. and should like 90 converse furthol
with you upon the subject, but just ai pre-
sent thai IS impossible, as Harry ana have
an engagement which De- seems to have for
gotten; so ! must remind him, and there
fore bid you good night
And, bowling, he entered the parlor, anC