Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1885-07-18

|
of her beauty was her hair, the long,
luxuriant locks of darkest auburn
enhancing by their richness of hue the
lovely purity Of her complexion. The
mouth was rosy and delicately curved,
without much promise of sweetness or
passion, and it was only in the slightly
upturned jaw and chin that a keen
eye, accustomed to notice such things,
could detect a latent force which cir
cumstances might develop into stubborn
determination. But now the whole
countenance was clothed in the bloom
and softness of youth, and looking at
the graceful head surrounding the
tall, plant figure you thought of a
| half-opened rose.
Mr.. Moorhouse was skillful man,
and well acquainted with the labyrinth
| inc ways which lead to the hearts of
women, and he assiduously endeavored
to find the way to this particular
stronghold. He got along very well,
simply because it pleased the lady that
he should succeed. If she had not
made up her mind to that effect his
superlative arts and accomplishments
would have been thrown away. But he
thought the smooth running he made
was due to his own ability. Phyllis
had decided to marry Mr.. Moorhouse
She was aware that his place in the
world would suit her aspirations
exactly. Personally his equal in all
points, capable of filling lady's place
anywhere, a marriage with this obvious
admirer would yet be a step for her, a
social lift to which she was not
indifferent. She had some money but
she did not count upon that.
| My face is my fortune, sir, she said.
And to do her justice, all therheart she
had was given in earnest to this man.
She was, to speak strictly, narrow
hearted and cold, but that is not to say
that she was quite heartless; her pulse
could beat for him and the swift flush
cover her white-rose cheek at his ap-
proach. She was too well used to hon.
age to doubt his sincerity. Why should
he not mean all that his conduct be-
spoke? She felt no uncertainty upon
| that point, and meant to accept his
proposals when they were made. She
was not the girl to say eyes, thank
you;" but she intended to take care
that he should not be discouraged.
All the same, Mr.. Moorhouse would
have laughed had he known the decis-
ion to which Miss Armytage had men
tally arrived. Mr.. Moorhouse had
quite other views for himself. He
meant in due season to marry ''suit-
ably as he expressed it, in his own
country, and already knew where he
expected to bestow the valuable gift of
his heart and hand when it became
expedient to incorporate that matri-
monial event into his future life. But
he did not as yet understand Phyllis
Armytage. In the interval he was
much pleased with his diversion; his
fastidious taste was gratifed; the young
lady was all that he could desire in a
transitory affair. There was only one
element wanting to give piquancy to
the hours in which he sought the soci-
ETY. of the fair Phyllis.
eff only some other fellow were in
the way, and in earnest" he thought,
sit would be more lively
And he had not long to wait until
this new zest was added to his enjoy
ment.
John Douglas was a New Yorker; a
| gentleman who, not only in the world S
eyes, might have undergone success
| full scrutiny, but one who would have
come out creditably from the examina-
ton of higher tribunal.
He was grand-looking rather than
merely handsome, with grave, dark
face marked by the strength and dignity
of a high character. There was moth
ing lacking in his portion but love, and
he had sought to remedy that deficiency
by venturing his whole heart upon the
task of winning Phyllis Armytage for a
wife. He had shown his hope openly,
and having been absent when Mr..
Moorhouse entered upon his exploit
the latter was almost the only one Of
the young lady's acquaintance who
was ignorant OF John Douglas and his
attitude toward her.
But the moment Allan Moorhouse
saw Mr.. Douglas speak to Phyllis he
was aware of the nature of the case
and inspired with a fresh delight in his
own undertaking. This was exactly
what he wanted to prove his own supe-
riority. He was rather pleased than
otherwise to observe the numerous adj
vantages which distinguished Mr..
Douglas, feeling that to achieve tri-
umph over a competitor so well en-
dowed would be very agreeable.
John Douglas would indeed have
been formidable rival to most men,
for ''his foot was on his native heath, =
and he had the opportunity which no
man in his situation despises the
chance Of displaying the good gifts
which place and fortune had given him
in the eyes of the woman he loved.
But Allan Moorhouse, though he was
clear-sighted enough to know that this
man was true in the sense in which he
himself was untrue, had still a certain
scornful incredulity as to the nature
and depth of the others feelings.
How can a fellow with the world at
his foot, as he has, want to tie himself
to a girl forever? What flat he must
be!'' was his thought.
But John Douglas said: 'sLife would
be complete for me if she loved me.
And he knew, with the quick intui-
ton of love, that man dangerous to
his interests had stepped upon the
scene, and the same instinct taught
him that the passion which impelled
his rival was of character different to
/ his own He saw in tha other an aasv