Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-12-20

ltfii liE W bttll Viz tidG vi ItDiinlo-
cences that flooded his companions
thoughts.
MARY Hastings was an acknowl-
edged belle from the time she made
her bow to society over four bou-
quets { | sent her one of them myself, J"
said Barton, with rather sad
smile. "She was never q beauty,
but she was very pretty, with bright
brown hair and clear, pale skin
She was immensely clever and very
accomplished, but / am grateful to
say, she kept all her extra fines for
private consumption, and never
bored us with sonatas when we pre-
ierred the 'Mikado.' She was always
the same at all times, and TO all peo-
pie. Her great beauty was her won
derful gray eyes, and she had a way
of looking out of them that was simp-
~ irresistible. She had fault of
looking quite often at n man that
way, and it seldom took more than a
second glance to bring him to his
knees. fever girl was scientifical-
ly and ingeniously coquette, it was
that one
"The affairs never went beyond q
proposal from the victim, and often
er never reached that stage, but it
kept great following, an: 2ss liked
that. Most girls do.
ga successful belle is always tar
get for slanderous arrows OF 9TH
er girls who never firt be-
cause opportunity is wanting, and
Mary was severely criticised for her
little penchant. | don't think any
thing beyond mere fun and q girls
natural cruel desire of conquest ever
animated her. She was an only child,
and her parents were consequently
blind to her faults, if she had any. |
never saw any myself" added Bar
ton, striking light with pronounced
vigor.
at was n gay winter when business
first brought John Torrance to this
city. We were classmates at Yale,
and he looked me up as soon as he
arrived. Ofcourse | was pleased to
see him, and little dinner at the
club followed, just to introduce him
to the fellows. After the cigars were
lighted there was some little gossip
about balls and dinners and girls. |
think someone must have given him
points that night, fol when, a few
days later, | proposed introducing
him at the home OF my friend, Miss
Hastings, he actually declined. AS |
hnI nt hon nnt,nto1 hiY,,
succumb to those speaking eyes, l
was surprised and disappointed. He
did not like flirts he said, bluntly
enough, and his business claimed a
great deal of his time. He was hold
ing out in the role OF virtuous disap,
proval. The little remarks about
the 'beaux veuX' had created in him
a fine disgust, Now, take my word
for it, if II man starts out to dislike
girl, he is just as good as gone il
she happens to know it, tor l told
her myself, with u view OF putting
her up to something extra.
Eut she laughed, and said she, too
was much occupied and could not
waste short life in vain pursuits
But | believe, Notwithstanding, that
she then firmly resolved to have John
Torrance in her train and trail him
through the dust
Shortly after the cards came out
for the Reynolds grand ball. Al
was my habit, | called at the
Hastings to see them about going
and asked Mary what flowers
should send her. She said il she wen,
she would have white buds and q
white dress. AS rule she did moi
affect white, for she we'll knew that
something heavy and gorgeous be
came her more.
but it is very uncertain that
shall be there. en- afraid | won't
have good time" she said, with g
wicked laugh.
1t was only by Offering to dance
all her unengaged dances with hel
that | finally persuaded her to go
AS she never had any unengaged, il
would not have been well to depend
on that for waltz.
The night of the ball | waited il
the hall to take her down stairs, anC
when she did appear she had carried
/ out her intentions ] saw. Instead o
her usual gorgeous raiment, sh,
wore Il thin white dress, fastened
close at the throat, and a soft, white
sash about her waist, with one o
the roses | had sent her in her hair
81 am regretting past misconduct
she said, in explanation of the whit,
gown. Il don't think | shall dance
very mnch. Perhaps no one will ash
me-"
took no notice of this outrageous
4 fishing, and when we reached tn,
ballroom she forgot her eccentri,
repentance and had as many part
ners as usual, although not looking
the best
was standing near the door hold
ing her ian and flowers, in my role
of elder brother, when | saw lorraine,
coming my way, He was not dane
ing much, and looked bored.
parties are all alike" he said
''see one, see all The usual number
OF beauties, buds, and wall-fowers
| must be growing old; parties Dor,
me, and the women began to lool
artificial"
"Of course" said; zone makes
allowance for colors seen by candle
light; but this is not the only plac,
and, allowing for artistic weakness
there are lots of nice jolly girls left. ,
There's one, now. She look:
Jolly with vengeance, growlec