The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-02-01
ONLY IN FUN.

dash, Grace Leigh was just as hand
some-that is, her hair was as golden,
her complexion as fair, and her features
as regular though cast in different
mould; yet no one ever heard Grace
Leigh boast of her "train of admirers"
Indeed, how could she, when she
hasn't any?" Myra Allerton would tell
you. Admirers indeed she puts on
too many prim airs, thinks, no doubt,
that her precise conduct will draw her
a prize; but she succeeds admirably in
keeping the prizes so far in the distance
that even the magnetism of her finely
put-on peudry fails to draw them"
'But she has one admirer," Said the
confidential friend to whom Myra was
speaking at Mrs. Mesroes party. "Look
at the gentleman who has just left her ~
Myra Allerton looked in the direction
of Grace Leigh.
"Oh, yes; Clinton Avery 1t seems
he overheard her denouncing firtations
in strong terms short time since, and
that accounts for his attention"
Hush he is coming this way; he will
hear you"
II don't mind if he does; indeed, I'm
inclined to give him piece of my mind
and as Clinton Avery approached, Myra
pretended not to see him, but says loud
enough to be heard by him: "Grace
Leigh preteuds to be so very circum
spect, but happen to know that she can
carry on Irritation just rs nicely as one
who sees no harm in it, that is, if she can
do so without attracting attention"
Every word Myra said went where it
was directed. Clinton Avery's handsome
face Redeemed with indignation. He be-
lieved that the words he just heard
uttered was q SANDER. He did not
dream they were spoken for his special
benefit, and he felt indignant to think
that any one not we'll enough acquainted
with Grace Leigh to know that she held
herself above a Irritation, might have
heard the SANDER as he did.
Clinton knew that Myra Allerton was
born firt. She had tried to get up
Irritation with him, but failed. Clinton
Avery, though mammas thought him a
very eligible party, was not at all con-
ceited. He had no idea that Myra
Myra had any designs upon
him mere than little Irritation. Little
he thought that for some time she had
been doing her best to catch him. Per-
haps had Clinton fallen into line when
she first tried her Establishment upon
him she would have cared no more for
him than any other in her train of admir-
ers; but he resisted, and the result, as
it now stood, was Myra Allerton, hirt of
the first water, was in love with Clinton
Avery.
81 do not understand what you mean
by harmless Irritation, Miss Allerton. ~
"Why," said Myra, coloring, "a fiirta-
f;op oorria1 IN inst for finn 4"
''If both parties concerned in the
Irritation have a mutual understanding
that they are carrying it on for self
amusement, then it is harmless, but /
never heard of that kind of Irritation. -
"Oh, there wouldn't be any fun in the
world if there were no hirtations! All
young ladies fiirt nowadays, Mr.. Avery.
mot all young ladies', Miss Allerton. "
"Ah, Mr.. Avery" tapping him with
her fan, that shows how much you
have yet to learn. All young ladies
firt, but the difference is this: Those
who are opposed to it, do it Oh the sly;
those who see no harm in it, do it
openly"
"You picture society in terrible
state" Miss Allerton, said Clinton. with
very contemptuous air, indeed.
admirers, that make women hirts, but |
think rag on every bush. beg pardon,
/ might say a woman with a train of adj
mirers is not a very desirable wife. "
Here another friend joined the group,
and Clinton at once changed the con-
versation, leaving Myra Allerton smart
ing under his last remark.
On a sunshiny afternoon, some days
after Mrs. Mesrole's party, Clinton
Avery was walking down Broadway
when an acquaintance accosted him.
Now, Leon Graham was the last person
Clinton cared about meeting as his con
quests of the fair sex was his main topic
Of conversation. He despised the dan
dified fellow that stood before him on
the same ground that he did Myra all-r
ton, but of the two he thought the male
firt the most despicable.
"You ought to have come alonga little
sooner, Avery. I've Just parted from
young lady who has been exchapc ing
bows and smiles with me for the past
two weeks. made up my mind that if
she passed to-day l would attempt con
versation. She passed and made a sue
cess of it. She's smitten. I'm to meet
her for a promenade. You ought to
have seen her; she's charming. II r
name is Miss Leigh, Grace Leigh. and -
''Grace Leigh" and Clinton stared at
Leon Graham.
''Yes, that is the name she gave me-
and I've no reason to doubt that it is
hers. Why. what's the matter? Do you
Larof'