Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-04-10
ONE WOMAN'S METHOD.

Belle Ferguson was not very witty or
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
influence beauty-and that, after all, is
no mean power
Belle was a blonde-plumP, tail, 1.-the
and slender, with a peculiar floating
grace IN every movement that was one
Of her chief charms-blue eyes, some
what small but soft, and shade by light
lashcs, 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 defic-
lent, and that when she had lost the
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 unconsciOusness Of his presence
and marked and quite overwhelming
increase Of pOliteness toward Ralph
Austin.
Ralph was both brave and modest. As
a consequence he appeared to advantage.
Bellies teigned 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 a few weeks,
nobody knew precisely where, and Car
los went. The effect on Belle was disas-
trOus. When she found that he was
AI4AA4N E5I4-I H--1 A-1-A4lA- ll N'-4Ig ~ viva
FarringdOn, her cousin.
"Oh, Viviai he's gonol He's really
goneI"
who's gomez. said Viva, looking up
cOolly from the sofa on which she was
lying.
"Why-CarlosP'
'sWel? ?"
Belle threw herself on the floor near
Viva and leaned her head on the sofas
edge.
II am perfectly miserable
aWhyf" asked the provoking Viva.
"eWhy?' you ask. Didn't I tell you
Carlos was gomez"
Don't YOU mean Lieut. Austin %
mo, I don'ti Tiresome thingP But
whether this last referred to Viva or the
lieutenant this deponent knoweth not.
aWho is tiresome- Carlos?" asked
Viva. swell, I'm glad you have your
eyes open at last / a. Ways did think
him prosy."
"Prosyl He's no such thingl-he'a
entertaining. and agreeable, and witty,
and lively, and fascinating, and the dear
est fellow in the world, and haven't
treated him well-I know / haven't"
Viva smiled scornfuIy.
"You should have thought Of that
sooner"
al know I should, you hard-harted,
cruel thing l-but he did hirt with Rose
Kenyon, and I was so angryl Oh, dearl
my heart is breadngi wish I was
deadP'
just then came a tap at the door. It
was Ellen, Bellies maid.
Lieut.. Austin wants TO know if he
can see you, Miss Belle. He said some
thing about being ordered on suddenly
'.rell him / will be down in a moment,
Elem
Viva said nothing, but she looked vol
umes; but that did't disturb Belle. She
gave q touch to her hair, another to her
eyebrows, shook out the dress, smoOthed
her morning skirt, settled her cuffs, and
went down 10 the draWing-rOOm where
Ralph was nervOuslY waiting for her.
II am ordered of, Miss Belle" was
his first salutation. II must 60 within
the hour"
sob, dear Lieut.. Austin, what can we
DO without youP'
'fWin you earer' he asked, softly and
eagerly.
"CareY Why, of course shalt We
shall all miss you"
Ralph seized her hand and carried it
to his lips.
aBelle, VII You write to ma?'
"Yes. yesi Goodbye And Belle,
who really had the conscience to be
ashamed Of herself, burst away from his
OBTAINING grasp, and ran to her usual
resouroe IN time Of trouble-Viyia Far
nngdon-and: "Oh, what shall I dol
He VIII write mel am sure he VIII p
she concluded, ia somewhat hysterical
style. sylvia. don't sit there as # you
were a block. but ten me what shall
don
HeEe. you are toe provoking. 4ou
are Ett worthy Of either the lieutenant
of Carries. and have no patience 90 Hes