Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-08-08
FANNIE'S FAULT:
A APHILANTHROPIC FLIRT.

| or.
APHILANTHROPIC FLIRT.
1t was all Fannie's fault, and they told
her SO. Frank Claxton would have GER
tainly married Louise Benton, the village
belle, if Fannie had not alienated him with
a series of bewitchingtoilets such as staid,
sober Evansville had never seen before.
Frank Claxton was young lawyer, and
certainly scandalized his profession in the
eyes of the townspeople by his desertion of
Louise and his constant attendance on the
charming Miss Dillingham;.
| Fannie herself when she became aware
of the current gossip she had stirred up put
on her hat and gloves and went over to call
on Miss Benton, who had been spending
the past few days sobbing over the perfidy
of men in general and one man in particu-
lar.
| What was Frank Claxton's amazement
when he called on Miss Dillingham; that
afternoon to find her seated on the sofa
with Louise Benton's arms twined lovingly
about her waist.
How pretty the latter looked, he thought,
and her dress showed that Fanny had been
intoxicating some needed lessons in STYLE
What pleasant afternoon they spent
together, and Fannie managed to bring ont
all of Louise's best qualities in CONVERSE
tion by her skilful management.
AS for the young lady herself, she had
been lost in wonder from the start why the
city beauty took such sudden interest in
her. Her surprise deepened when Fannie
drove her out the next day to points of
interest in the neighborhood and where
they were likely to meet Frank Claxton.
This gentleman grumbled little when,
following some gentle hint of Fannie's as
to her whereabouts, he would find her, cer-
tainly, but not, as of old, ready for de-
lightful tete q tete, but acting chaperon for
Loucy. And yet, when the first pang of
discomfort was over, Frank was quite will
ing to fall into the pleasantly laid traps
Fannie set for him that led him into long
walks with Louey, who blushed and
frightened charmingly over his renewed
devotion. Long summer days, full of SUM-
shine and brightness, followed pretty
Louey's heart-broken hours of growing for
her lost dreams and once more her visions
were rose-tinted, herhopes grew stronger.
Surely, surely, Frank loved her His
eyes rested upon her with the tenderness
that had won her heart many months
before; his voice was full of eloquence and
sweetness, as it had been when Fanny Dill
lingham was still far away in her city
home.
Then Louey's heart thrilled with self-re-
proachl She had hated this bright, beauti-
full girl who was flooding her life with
gladness, who was leading her mind into
new, bright avenues of thought, teaching
her pretty devices of dress, helping her in
her music, opening to her so many new
pleasures. She had been bitterly jealous
of her, had accused her of leading her lover
away by unwomanly devices, and it was
Fanny who was bringing Frank back to
her.
But Frank was not satisfied. He had
been fascinated by Fannie's beauty, her
high-bred grace, her varied accomplish
ments, and his vanity was touched by her
apparent interest in his society. 1t piqued
him to be so coolly handed over again to
Louey, and yet how lovely Louey was, how
gentle and winsome, and her natural grace
lost none of its charm contrasted with
Fannie's highbred manners.
How happy could be either
Were the other dear charmer away?
was Franks outspoken thought, when
hours were flesting by in walks or talks or
pleasant lounging under spreading trees,
or in rowing upon Sunny Lake, the one
spot of water near Evansville.
Autumn leaves were falling and Fannie
Dillingham; was talking of home. Mrs.
Greene lamented, Louey wept and Frank
Claxton resolved to try his fate and ask
Fannie one momentous question.
She knew what was coming when she saw
him enter the gate at any early morning
hour, with his face little pale from excite
ment, and she resolved to spare him. She
was no coquette to rejoice in bringing men
to her feet, and the harm she had SO nearly
done was threa tened in all innocence. So,
as he entered the parlor she met him with
radiant smile.
"YOu shall congratulate me-" she said:
eve are such old friends, are We not? l
do not measure friendship by time, but by
congeniality, and think we have liked each
other we'll from the first. will tellyou my
good news. My uncle has returned from
Europe, and with him is" and she blush
ed charmingly. "my promised husband.
They have been nearly two years abroad,
but now l am summoned homo to be ready
for wedding at Christmas. You will come ?"
"Gladly," he answered, "and / will keep
my congratulations till can offer them to
the happy man who is awaiting you."
"Aud you will let me be the first to con-
gratulate you ." she asked. "You see 1
could not but guess your secret, and look
forward to long visit from you and Louey
when my own European trip is over"
"We may meet abroad Louey wants to
travel, you know, and there is really moth
ing to keep me here. So, if l win the bride,
y you shall be the first to hear of my good
fortune"
Itwas really very pretty piece of parlor
theatricals; but in good society these things
are gracefully managed, and surely no one
could guess that Fannie Dillingham; had
refused an offer from Frank Claxton in the
conversation.
And if Evansville gossips were right, and
it was "all Fannie Dillingham's fault"
she made ample amends and left the place
with flying colors, carrying no sting of re
morse or list of broken hearts away with
her.