The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-06
"I,AOCENr FLIRrATION.v

''Pshaw" said Harry, and tossed the
paper away.
quire.
"Like it? no? 1t is made-up story.
The only good stories are true Ones"
do you mean to say that all the
glorious fictions that have enchanted that
have filed the world are true?" l asked
. little triumphantly.
''Not true in all their details and COM
binations. of course" said he, ''but
whenever you find any incident really
affecting, you may be sure that it actual
Iy happened. Now, in thissstory which 1
have read at your recommendation, there
rs no such incident. The characters are
not alive, and the events never occurred;
ut least, within the writer's knowledge.
I can tell you dozen real, true stories
chat would beat it all hollow"
Doubted"
-What will you bet?"
"Who to decide?"
"You shall decide, yourself. Come,
I'll tell you one to begin with; and if
you don't say it is better than this nam
by-pamby affair have been reading, I'll
pay for the supper"
So sat myself to listen.
ST took the night train at Columbus"
said Harry, settling himself back to spin
his yarn more comfortably.
''Then you are the hero of your own
story" said I.
Don't interrupt me. Who said was
q hero? You will see. The cars were
full; but found seat behind lady
and gentleman, who had appropriated
q couple to themselves, and were
wrapped up in shawls, sleeping very
comfortably.
The light from the car lamps fell on
their faces. The gentleman, who seemed
a foreigner, and who proved to be q
Mexican of some distinction, was of
middle age-a dark, fine-looking. SOM
Der, quiet man. But the lady, young
enough to be his daughter, was of daz-
ding beauty. A pale complexion, flush
ing with the slightest tint Of the rose;
an oval face; features regular as those
of Grecian statue-wasnt she beauti-
ful?"
"I suppose she was," said I, wishing
10 be amiable, when thus appealed to.
81 don't want your opinion on that
point. had been among rough people.
L had seen few that could be called re-
fined, or beautiful, for long time; but,
making allowances for all that, she was
certainly one of the loveliest women l
ever beheld.
~When she opened her eyes in the
pale morning light, they were of that
6nge of violet-gray, shaded by long,
dark lashes, SO rare and so exquisite.
Her little hand, with its long, tspering,
white fingers, tipped with rose; her
.1lender, delicate feet; her form and
In kind of enchantment.
down the Little Miami, and 1--WE were
aeaxlng Cincinnati, when / heard her
spsak. It was some triAing question.
Il had the petulance OF spoiled child
I'D . spoiled beauty; but there could be
10 mistaking the pure, high-breeding Of
her articulation. BY the time it was
broad daylight, 1 had studied her we'll,
looking over my newspaper. It was
Sunday morning, and no train left Gin
sinnAh until evening. We rode up
town, from the depot, in the same omni-
hue, and sat opposite, and 20 quite
aaar her.
Gas 1 looked, what presume must be
ny last ct her. and must have expressed
II that look all the admiration and in
esrsst I felt-sayinR, with my eyes:
who can you be, o beautiful oney she
appeared to see me for the first time.
8omething must have told her what /
wss thinking. A flush came over her
faes-vsry slight, indeed, but still per-
ssptible. II vas little surprise and
sp1sthing which IVES mot indignation.
II had given my checks for the
Duruett HOUSE; Il vas with pang that
I ~ ny new scquaintance prepare to
aiight q the Spencer. But while The
nsaosal, - / heard him called altar
vnrd, vas picking up shawl that hsj
go DROPPED, spssng ont in The snow,
81 viii look doub1 not Of mingled
ecnnsue. ed admirntion, and grief
nn1o NJ hand 70 ~ ln1y. ehs thrilled
= vi ~ liGhIest 81 quiekest touea
panih1s. = 4 - ~ - VIII - oGsnd