The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-09
THE DAILY STAR
Fought With Her Own Weapon.

pelle 10TH, VIII udIk uali pdhuSu
back in massive, shining braids from a
classically-outlined face, and sloe-black
eyes, that were usually luminous with
mlschievous mirth. ...' .-...
But ah! how l loved her, and how
many heartaches endured from her love
of eoquetryl
Verify, believe the spirit of mischief
reigns supreme in jetty eyes and mid
night tresses.
met her first at the house of a mu-
tual friend, where we were both visiting
during the sultry August days; but we
were not the only guests, for the house
was filled, almost to overfowing, with
merry company, who made the spacious
old mansion ring again with their gay
laughter and witty rapertee.
Annie Sheldon, the bewitching little
lady whom l have attempted to describe,
was in no wise behindhand in contribut-
ing her share toward the general amuse-
ment.
When the shouts of laughter were the
merriest, and the applause the loudest,
they were generally called forth by some
dry drollery or apropos retort OF hers.
The house of our mutual hostess was
not of the most modern built, for it had
been the home of her family for gener-
atoms, and she felt sort of loving pride
in keeping it unaltered; but, neverthe-
less, it was roomy and substantial, and
bore about it an unmistakeable air of
cheerfulness and comfort.
In front of the house spread broad,
grassy lawn. dotted here and there by
mound of brilliant-hued flowers, or a
rustic urn filled with emerald moses and
graceful clinging ivy.
And here was the croquet ground, and
here for hours, daily, | was chained, to-
gether with my hapless brothers in mis-
fortune, while the young ladies amused
themselves by driving the balls about in
the most heartless manner, totally re-
gardless of what old "Esop" SO wisely
observes, "Let all be play to all con-
cerned." .. ...
Annie, as if to aggravate me, invaria-
bly, ranged herself on the side of my op-
ponents, and appeared to take a mali
cious pleasure in my evident annoyance
thereat. ....... .....
After an unusually vicious stroke,
which would send my unlucky ball fly
ing to the farthermost extremity of the
ground, she would watch me with a
merry twinkle in her eyes as, under the
scorching August sun, industriously
loitered after it and replaced it within
the limits, though often, l must acknow-
ledge, with flushed face and an ire
pressible feeling Of irritation.
Her side invariably won the game, for
she was good player and perfectly at
her ease; while /, though considered a
fine player also, could never make res
pectable stroke with her dark eyes bent
upon me, rendering me nervous to the
last degree.
Then, when she triumphed, she would
assume bewitching air Of regret and
penitence, and making herself 50 agree
able, that could not help forgiving the
girl, and finding myself more hopelessly
in love than ever.
But it was not only in the game Of
croquet that shs delighted to tantalize
me.
''No 1t was always 80; did we 20 for a
ride over the blue hills before breakfast,
she would contrive that it should fall to
my lot to escort some other lady, a shor
distance behind her, that / might better
witness and appreciate her desperate fir
tations with her attendant cavalier,
while occasionally she would dart an
arch glance back at me as if to say "You
see am not quite caught yet, sir"
And If we made up party for rowing
on the bright river which bounded, on
one side, the grounds of our hostess, and
by any chance was 50 fortunate as to
secure her as companion, she would
lean listlessly and silently back in one
end of the boat, and dipping her white
hand in the water, watch me furtively
from beneath her dusky eyelashes; but
toall nay attempts, at conversation reply
in discouraging monosyllables.
But notwithstanding her strange, al
most unaccountable behavior, there we're
times when she greeted my approach
with smiles, and was 80 affable and
charming that knew it was no personal
dislike to myself which influenced her,
but only an inordinate love of mischief
and coquetry.
However matters could not continue
In this way forever. ..t.
What with her numberless firtations
and caprices l was becoming desperate,
80, loving her as did, / determined TO
win her at all hazards, and also, if pos
sible, cure her of her terrible propensity
for fsting; for l knew that however
much / might be attached to her,
could never be happy with hirt as my
wife. s.-
] decided to try her first with her own
weapon, Irritation, and at once became
quite cool and distant in my converse.
ton to her, and very assiduous in my
attentions to Jennie Benson, q blue-eyed
golden-haired little beauty, and a most
codnsummate hirt, who met my advances
full half way. .a.
Annie did not seem TO be pleased at
the loss Of her would-be devoted cavalier
Inoticed that she did not appear quite
n 4