Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-10
ONE WOMAN'S METHOD.

not very wise. She had no particular
force of character, no special accomplish.
ment, no remarkable home excellencies
but she was possessed of one source OF
inhuence-beauty-and that, after all, is
no mean power.
Belle was blonde-plump, tall, 1.-the
and slender, with peculiar floating
grace in every movement that was one
OF her chief charms-blue eyes, some.
what small but soft, and shade by light
lashes, dark eyebrows they were pencil.
ed, but every one didn't know that,
and hair, long, thick and fine, of the
true golden tinge, which she wore roll
ed back in the fashion so becoming to
fresh, young faces.
What need Belle care if Miss LIE
Growle did whisper that her features
were not beautiful, her expression defc-
lent, and that when she had lost the
3 freshness and coquetry of youth, that
she would be positively an ugly old
woman? Ralph Austin and Carlos de
Arronde, her Spanish lover, didn't
trouble themselves to pry into the future.
They both loved and were quite ready
to quarrel for her. No one was more
alive to this fact than Belle; nobody
could have looked more unconscious
than she did, flirting her little fan with
lazy grace in her fathers parlor, manifest
ing her temporary displeasure toward
Carlos who stood gloomily silent near
her in no other way than by her deter
mined Inconsistencies Of his presence
and marked and quite overwhelming
increase of politeness toward Ralph
Austin.
Ralph was both brave and modest. As
consequence he appeared to advantage.
Bellies feigned admiration began to grow
dangerously real. Her soft blue eyes
sparkled with excitement, the pale flush
of her cheek deepened into rose, and Car
los, who saw and read Alright the changes
of her face, turned and walked sullenly
away.
Belle, half intent on revenging her
self, half sincere in her admiration of
Ralph, passed the next two days very
much to her own satisfaction. Then
somebody, perhaps Carlos himself, wrote
Carlos to come and spend few weeks,
nobody knew precisely where, and Car
los went The effect on Belle was disas-
trous. When she found that he was
really gone she rushed at once to Viva
Harrington, her cousin.
''Oh, Viva! he's esne! He's really
gonep'
"Who's goner. said Viva, looking up
ooolly from the sofa on which she was
lying.
'sWhy-Carlosr'
"Well?"
Belle threw herself on the floor near
Viva and leaned her head on the sofas
edge.
81 am perfectly miserable"
ssWhy?" asked the provoking Viva.
"sWhyr you ask. Didn't I tell you
Carlos was gomez"
"Don't you mean Lieut.. Austin?''
ssNo, don't! Tiresome thingr' But
whether this last referred to Viva or the
lieutenant this deponent knoweth not.
"Who is tiresome-Carlosr asked
Viva. "Well, I'm glad you have your
eyes open at last. a. Ways did think
him prosy."
"Prosyl He's no such thing!-he's
entertaining. and agreeable, and witty,
and lively, and fascinating, and the dear
est fellow in the world, and I haven't
treated him well-I know I haven't"
Viva smiled scornfully.
"You should have thought of that
sooner"
Il know I should, you hard-harted,
cruel thingl-but he did firt with Rose
Kenyon, and I was 50 angry! Oh, dear!
my heart is breakingl I wish I was
deadr'
just then came tap at the door. 1t
was Ellen, Bellies maid
sLieut. Austin wants to know if he
can see you, Miss Belle. He said some
thing about being ordered off suddenly"
ssTell him I will be down ID moment,
Ellen"
Viva said nothing, but she looked vol
umes; but that did't disturb Belle. She
gave touch to her hair, another to her
eyebrows, shook out the dress, smoothed
her morning skirt, settled her cuffs and
went down to the drawing-room where
Ralph was nervously waiting for her.
Il am ordered Of, Miss Belle" was
his first salutation. u must 60 within
the hour"
ooh, dear Lieut. Austin, what can We
do without you"
sWil you carer' = aaasd, scilly md
sagsely.