Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-05-28

would add: "And how strange that a
woman who has been belle for ten
years, the center of fashion, the pet Of
society, the toast of all the male and the
envy of all the female firts, should be so
unspoiled, so unsullied, so true and good
and lovelyp Strange indeed it was, but
not inexpicable, as will appear if we
follow for ten years the adventures of a
pretty woman.
Louise Sheffield "came out" at 10, and
took rank at once, by right of nature, as
a leader in society. Any woman can be
pretty, but beauty is the gift of God,
and this she had in lavish measure. Her
mind was fit tenant for her body, quick,
kind and good. She was fairly well ed
ucated, and had a native instinct for So
ciety that was more serviceable than any
stores of learning. She was well and en-
joyed life. Her heart was fresh and the
world new. Finally the family were in
comfortable circumstances, without be-
ing wealthy, so that within moderation
she could dress and occupy herself as be-
came a lady. Such, briefly, was Miss
Sheffield when she formally entered
Washington society at 10.
On that evening three young gentle
men fell in love with her, and one at
least in earnest. And from that night
on she heard a ceaseless jargon of pro-
testations, petitions, VOWS and desperate
threats. Her beauty, grace, wit, kind
ness and taste were the theme wherever
she went. She was a goddess, and in
cense and sacrifice were ever before her.
It was delicious. Her soft and innocent
heart overfowed with girlish delight,
and, like Miranda, she exclaimed, "Oh!
brave new world that has such people
in it!'
And suddenly in the midst of this
sweet tumult she found her young heart
responding strangely to one favored wor-
shipper. Every one was kind and good,
and yet there was one-well, perhaps!
"Pshawp cried her bosom friend, and
pshaw! is an argument, though it is not
mentioned in works on logic.
"What follyP' said Mrs. Sheffield. at
will be time for that five years hence.
Don't take the first man that comes
along, child. Enjoy your youth-it will
be short; keep free, be happy, and of all
things don't believe what the men say.
In year or two you will have some ex-
perience, and can tell what kind of a
husband you want"
And the child, taking counsel of age
and friendship, waited one year, two
years, three, four, five-always a belle,
very popular, universally admired, much
sought, the cause of many signs, listening
to pleas, but deaf to every lover. And
thus by perseverance Louise Sheffield at
"a had succeeded in living down her
heart. Love had become sport. She
now knew every step and phase, could
tell a new lover at sight, and anticipate
every move he would make in the game
till the checkmate. She had heard the
changes rung on her hail. her eyes, her
smile, her poetic grace, sher charm of
presence, her sweetness of manners and
disposition, her goodness of heart, until
these rhapsodies, though ever sweet and
more and more necessary to her, were
familiar and monotonous. She had come
to know men, not in their vicious and
wicked relations, of course, but in their
social habits and character, and they had
long ceased to be objects of mystery and
reverence.