The Republican journal., 1882-02-23
An Old-Fashioned Girl.

50 spoke pretty little Mrs. Sheldon, as
she sat one afternoon on the piazza OF the
Ocean House looking smilngly up into
the face Of the tall, handsome man who
bent over her with such deb0nndre grace.
He laughed aloud at her mock-petu
liant speech.
You shouldn't blame me, then, he re-
torted, ''for what you must hold yourself
accountable. You see, ever since Dick
cut me out with you, | have been wander
ing around disconsolately, trying to find
second edition of yourself"
NO, no--that won't do. All the ad
miration was Oh my side. Still, | must
confess, that dear old Dick answers my
purpose very well-so well that only one
thing is wanted to insure my happiness,
and that is, to take possession, next win
ter, of a charming house, next ours, in
town, and let me claim your wife as my
dearest friend
LAS YOU have been to me all these long
years, Ella. the dearest woman friend
ever had; but Dick has no cause for jeal-
ousv, for all that Shall |, then, tell you
Why | have never married, though my
thirty fifth birthday is looming up start
lingly near? am in a confidential mood
this afternoon, and you shall hear. 1t is
not because | do not want to marry.
sometimes the picture OF my own home
and hearthstone shapes itself before me,
until life seems hardly worth the living
without it; but it is an ideal picture my
fancy paints. 1t is not house, but a
home. 1t is not the rustic Of silken trains
through its halls. 1t is the sunshine of a
woman's smile. 1t is not the threshold of
society, but society is left upon It's thresh
old. 1t boasts no richer, sweeter music
than the happy voices and laughter of
little children, which God may send to
fill it : You know now why have never
married. although the world calls me a
rich man, and am free but, Ella. girls
nOw-a- days are not fitted for such homes.
They are society dolls. want an old
fashioned girl, and as they're out Of
fashion unless 90 regularly in search
of one in some curiosity shop, where she
is labelled and laid away on a shelf
shan't find her: and even if made the
rash attempt, | shouldn't like to have had
to order my wife like bale of goods
"You're all wrong, Claud, answered his
friend. Girls hearts nowadays are
just rs warm and true as they were Il
century ago: but"
"Oh. Ella" interrupted fresh girl
ish voice, as a young lady stepped through
one of the long drawing-roOm windows
on to the piazza, a faint rose flush ting
/ inc her cheeks as she had come upon a
\ tete-U tetP.
She was beautiful girl, dressed in the
very height and extreme Of fashion, from
the tip Of the boot to the crown of the
| flower -wreathed hat
My friend, Mr. Arnold, Maude. Miss
kingsland, Mr.. Arnold"
SO this was Claud Arnold, whom she
had heard of all her life. She was not
sorry for the interruption, after all still,
stealing only glance at the dark, hand
some face over which all women raved,
and delivering the message which had
brought her, she disappeared as she had
come.
"Who is she p queried the man.
'Ralph Kingsland's daughter, and an
heiress. | am chaperoning her for a
few weeks, as her mother is an invalid
Not at all the sort of girl you are in search
Of. So see that you do not trespass upon
any manor in quest of idle amusement"
Notwithstanding which kindly warning,
it was straight to Miss Kingslands side
that Claud Arnold Wended his way, when
about nine o'clock the same evening, she
entered the ballroom.
He had watched her as she crossed the
hall on Mr.. Sheldons arm, and was fain
to acknowledge her the most beautiful
girl whom Newport yet bOasted.
She was eXquisitely dressed, too, in
fol Of
fully draped over snowy satin, her neck
and arms bare, and void of ornament ex-
cept two gittering jewels in the pink,
shell-like ears.
''Not at all the woman for a wife," he
mentally soliloquized "but as a partner
for dance, enough to make one the envy
of all the fellows in the room"
"May | have the pleasure of the next
waltz Miss kingsland " he said, bowing
low before her.
"Thanks," she answered, in low, music
al tones, ''but have not an empty space
tonight. | am passonately fond of dane
ing, and my friends are good enough to
see that | have no lack Of partners
"Of course, an entirely unselhsh action
upon their part" was his reply, with just
suspicion of pique in his tone.
Heretofore, with Claud Arnold, the de-
| sire was simply father to its attainment,
and now he must wait twenty-fOur hours
ere he could clasp this girls waist, and
teel her hand in his, as they floated
| through the room to some of Strauss
| dreamy music
"Well them" he continued, "shall it be
| tomorrow night, and will you put me
down twice."
''With pleasure" she said, simply, as
her partner approached to claim her.
Somehow it was all stale and unprofit-
| able to Claud that night, and when he re-
| tired, rather earlier than his custom, the
| thoughts which mingled with the smoke
from his fragrant Havana, as he sat by
| his window, listening to the oceans roar
were, if anything, tritie more cynical
| than his usual wOnt-nOr did he sleep as
| sOundly as usual.
81 need a walk" he said to himself
next morning, and started off about 8
o'clock for a solitary stroll.
In this, however, he was doomed to dis
appointment, for, turning a sudden angle
| in the beach, he came suddenly face to
face with Miss kingsland.
| "What unexpected good fortuner he
exclaimed, dof1ing his hat. 81 did not
dream you were such an early riser," look
ing, as he spoke, at the bright color the
morning breeze had brought into her
cheek, and the dark eyes 50 frankly up
| lifted to his own.
"Frightfully unconventional, is it not ?"
she queried, with low, ripping laugh
| 'But one must be alone sometimes, and
so | am driven to it in self defence.
"Rather an unfeelng hint that my
mornings trespass must not be repeated" !"
said he, ruefully.
"Oh, no. indeed. We would not be
likely to meet again in any case. Besides,
| tha haaoh ic pnhlio