The Democratic advocate., 1885-07-18
Select Sturg.
ON THE RIVER.

Lady Dunboyae IN London Argosy.<
$50 Vane is at his old tricks again If
were that girls father, or brother, l
should be inclined to express my opinion of
his tactics pretty strongly p
'SIs that Miss Elliot have noticed
him by her side more than half the evening
but, if may judge from the lady's ex-
preston, his attentions are not otherwise
than acceptable.
"Splendidly handsome girl, isn't she ?"
Alice Hargreaves, the new beauty, is not
patch upon her, in my opinion
Handsome enough-for those who ad-
mire that style-great Eastern eyes, and
Juno-like figure. For my own part, l pre-
fer something softer and more feminine.
$50 apparently did Vance yesterday
morning. He was sitting in the park,
under Mrs. Fairfaxs parasol, for over an
hour and half How a proud girl like
Blanche Elliot can stand such open rivalry
passes my comprehension. =
"Mrs. Fairfax? The widow of Jack
Fairfax, of the Artillery p
Gwen so-Nina Forester, that was.
You must remember her, Grahame
pretty little fair-haired thing, who looks as
if puff of wind would blow her away.
She is awfuIly well off-Jack took care of
that, poor old chap! And really she looks
hardly more than child still, though she
has a little girl, as pretty as herself, over
five years old"
"And she is flirting with young Yane,
you say?
Flirting She's the veriest little firt
in England. Her villa at Twickenham is
paradise for that kind of amusement.
Sloping lawn down to the river-boat al
ways strawberries and cream-and
pretty little hostess so charmed to see you
if YOU run down for a breath OF fresh air
on hot afternoon. She has been up in
town this week, staying with her brother,
but was to go home yesterday
During this last speech Col. Grahame's
attention has been chiefly bestowed upon
Miss Elliot and the countenance of the
man who is so assiduously bending over
her.
It's a very good-looking face-a face
which one of Sir Reginald Vanes dog
loving friends has sometimes ikened to a
Gordon setter, with dark, lustrous eyes and
delicate profle-and if there are weak lines
marring the mouth and chin they are con-
cealed by the black silky mustache which
cover both. He is popular man, espec-
tally with the women, who easily learn to
call him Reggie and smile over the rather
free-and-easy compliments, which have
charm of their own when uttered in that
low musical murmur In fact drawing
room pet of the nineteenth century, such
as one meets with here and there in the
course of every season.
OF a very different type is Leslie Gra-
hame, the man who, standing in the door
way, has been listening to the careless re-
marks of gossiping acquaintance. Of
Scottish descent and with the rugged cast
of features common to that nation, he
might, except for his commanding height,
pass unnoticed in the crowd assembled at
Lady Hetherington's At Home. Butprob-
ably, on an Aldersnot feld-day, specta-
tor would pick out the cavalry officer who
sits his horse so gallantly (though three
fingers of his bridle-hand are gone, and he
is fain to wind the chargers reins round
his wrist as object of curiosity.
For do not other medals, besides those
so lately won in Egypt, decorate his breast,
and is there not some tale of heroism and
danger, almost unparalleled in modern an
nails, connected with the cross earned at
Ulundi?'
Blanche Elliot, keen-witted in reading
conntenances, has singled him out this
evening, and appeals to Vane with half
conscious laugh.
"Pray who is that stern-looking man
leaning against the door? He appears to
take an interest in me-this is the second
time | have caught him gazing this way.
"Is that SO remarkable? [ should have
thought the occurrence too frequent and
natural to attract your attention-although
it is rather wonderful for Colonel Grahame
to condescend to notice any one. His
head is usually in the clouds.
''He looks out of place here, and feels
it. See, he is slopipg off, as you say.
/ Grahame-I remember the name-a Y,
c., is he not ?"
"Just So A great hero in his way, but
not very amusing companion in ordinary
life. 1 only know him by sight, however.
But tell me once more, when and where am
| to see you again p
Miss Elliot is playing with her fan, and
contriyes with it to hide the color that for
moment overspFeads her face at this ques-
ton.
As she remains silent, herepeats it more
eagerly.
'You know my hours-I always ride in
the evening during this hot weatber-6 to
8. I shall probably do so tomorrow"
Tomorrow w Vane's handsome face
betrays evident disturbance. 81 am afraid
[ shall be out of town. Very provoking
an old engagement with a relation"
"Why stoop to prevarication, Sir Regin-
aid ?" Blanche has risen now, and her
dark eyes are flashing. 'You are your
own master. See, mamma is beckoning to
me- Good night. You will find it cool
and pleasant on the river tomorrow. And
with this parting shot she is gone; leaving
Vane, looking decidedly foolish, and what
is worse, unpleasantly conscious that he is
looking so.
by Georgel" he soliloquizes, as he lights
a cigar during his walk to his club. Glow
savage she can look when she plcases Yet
l don't know but that admire her all the
more-a fare-up shows off those magnifi-
cent eyes and the very fact of jealousy be
trays an interest in my movements. Still,
the widow is decidedly pretty-and have
been down on my luck lately and sadly
need a windfall And | really believe she
is fond of me, dear little soul.
And Sir Reginald Vane's reflections, not
| L. l.. L.. Il - "a 1..- ,ol,,c;or,