Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-14
LOVE A LA MODE,
A New Story by Mrs. Parr, Author OF
"DOr0thy's Venture"

''Dorothy's Venture"
My dear Monty, how glad am to see you |!
1t does seem such an age since you were here,
although we've nothing to amuse you for do
you know the Halkett's have gone. Mrs. BAL
ketts grandfather must choose to be taken ILL
tresome old man! And not content with rush.
Ing Of herself, she must needs drag her sister
away-Celia Young. You remember wrote
about her; such charming girl! And here we
are, lett with nobody but Carrie and Hattie
Wentworth! don't know what you'll say"
"say that I'm very glad they're gone, my dear
Fanny. My only regret is that Miss Wentworth
did not accompany them"
Monty!" and the speaker shook her head
regretfully. "Not that really any one need
mind Hatty, for since that ridiculous notion Of
hers about Tom Carlingford throwing her over,
except to sit and abuse all the men, she might
as well be dumb"
The gentleman addressed as Monty curled his
lip disdainfuly. He was evidently about to give
vent to some very cutting sarcasm, but appa-
rently recollectlng that the subject was not
worth the trouble, he heaved instead very pro-
found sigh.
II am sure you would have liked Celia Young.
Monty; and she was expiring to meet you"
THANK Heaven, then. for sending her a dis
me. but give vou:my solemn word that have
done with women forever. One has managed to
completely blight nv life, to break nv heart.
and half kill me; and I think, if you ask me,
that is about enough"
"Unfeeling, heartless grill" was murmured
sympathetically. "How you must despise her"
VI! What, because discover that she has
been dealing falsely with me-triflfng with me-
do you suppose that ! can cease to love herr
On the contrary, the hopelessness Of her ever
Init odd 10 fxra1 30 oauoo -.
my torture. AS long as live shall never cease
to worship that girl-never!" and making a
great display Of cambria pocket dkerchief.
embroidered with most elaborate initial, the
discOnsolate lover sank back in the carriage, as
II thoroughly overcome by despair.
Fanny, otherwise Mrs. Stanhope Rodney.
sighed audibly. Monty Curzon was her most
petted cousin-one Of the best-looking men
about town, universally spoiled, and, hitherto,
the greatest adept at Irritation TO be met with
ried everything before him, had raised hopes
only to scatter them, wounded hearts which he
LETT for others to spread salve over; had come
seen and conquered; loved, laughed and ridden
away. All at once Fortune had refused him her
favor, just when chance had thrown him in the
way of more than his match in an arch-leceiyer.
who was not only willy enough to lead him on,
but she called Dilly-dilly-duck" until she ac-
tually effected his capture, and then, with Cap
tain CurzOn at her feet, was never more sur
plioOu Iuau " uuU GildC WQaC sue mao meant
play he had taken as earnest. Naturally she
had preferred him because he had seemed to pre-
Ter her; but, setting aside her engagement to MIR.
Moss GOlding (Which she thought everybody
IN the world knew OF, how was 1t possible to
conceive that, after having been told fifty thou
sand times that Captain Curzon never meant
anything beyond Irritation, she was all at once
to suppose he intended anything more with her.
Captain Curzon's friends said that Miss Lyster
mad behaved abomnaby; the structures passed
oy the Ladies were particularly severe. The men
took more lenient view Of the matter; some
were even heard to say that he had only been
paid back as he deserved to be. However, as it
seemed to be insisted upon, Captain Curzon was
regarded as heart-broken, and this forsaking
town and hurying himself In the country was q
certain proof Of his suffering and his despair.
The short drive from the station accomplished.
and Captain Curzon put in possession of the CO.
siest Of bachelor apartments, Mrs Rodney
hastened to the boudOir, where she found her
sister Carrie-a kindly. mddle-aged spinster-
and Hatty Wentworth seated together.
'Welh he's comet" she said excitediv. ave
brought him back with me, but oh, so altered.
YOU'D hardly know him for the same"
There was room for improvement, wasn't
there'" said Miss Hatty ironically.
Mrs. Rodney treated the question with be-
coming contempt.
you have never yet met Monty Curzon, Hat
IT," she said, crushingly.
"Oh, yes, ! have though; only was never
enough talked otto make it worth while for him
to want an introduction to me-"
my dear, don't be spiteful! Besides. in the
present case 1t is most unfeeling In you. The
poor fellow is crushed-absolutely heart
broken"
Miss Wentworth laughed derisively.
heaily, Fanny. it is too absurd Of you!
Heart-broken! AS If any man had heart to
break. The whole of them are altogether made
of cast IRON"
Gas I've told you before, Hatty," Mrs. Rod
ney delivered herself sententiousy, SIT is pity
TO Judge all by one bad specimen. However,
you're certain to alter your opinion before long
for suppose You don't mean to bea spinster for
ever?"
Heaven forbid'' cried Miss Hatty tragically.
My only regret Is that l can only marry one
man. should like to have the tormenting of
thousands for all am being made to suffer :"
And having delivered herself of this exalted
sentiment OF humanity, without waiting for q
reproof, which she foresaw was in store for her.
the young lady beat a hasty retreat from the
room.
"Oh, dear dear! What pyty It is that a,rl
makes herself so silly" exclaimed Mrs. Rodney
irrltably. 81 do wish that Stanhope hadn't per
suaded me to ask her here; I'm sure it was very
ilI-judged Carrie"
Miss Wentworth, cousin on Mr. Rodney's
side OF the family, was pretty girl with great
store or attractive power, which had never failed
her, except in the instance of Mr. Tom Carling-
ford, who, having been played fast and loose
with by her for an indefinite time, had at length
grown FESTIVE and escaped this tyranny by re-
moving his allegiance from her and placing it
and his hand and fortune at the disposal Of a
simple, unattractive country girl, thereby, &C.
c0rding to Hatty's showing, wrecking her peace
OF mind forever. and. setting her at variance
with all mankind.
81 do hope she won't make herself disagree
able to Monty" said Mrs. Rodney, continuing
to address her sister.
mot at all likely, unless he interferes with
her"
(which he is quite certain not to do: he
knows too much Of her already, and the way
she has behaved to dozens of men, especially to
Roger Cotton. believe he quite dislkes her:
he told me some time ago that she has every-
where the character of flirting most abomina-
bly,"
''Then can quite understand the grounds for
your apprehension"
''Why? Howl"
''Simply because two of trade seldom
agree"
In the drawing-roOm the lowering of the lids
over eyes which did not deign to look at him
was the only acknowledgment Miss Wentworth
yOuchsafed In return for the unnecessarily pro-
found bow made by Captain Curzon to her,
That it might be perfectly understood that no
further intimacy was desired, the young lady,
last to put In an appearance, crossed outside the
circle made round the fire, and drew over
Chair close to the window at which she SAT