The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-05
PRETTY MISS
TONAT THAN
PART II.


AT Christmas Miss Herman was the life
and soul of the house party at the FRS.
None of the solemn English people there
assembled had met before with a nove1ist's
creation in the flesh, and they were startled
and charmed alternately. The men were
enchanted. the women Mortified She
charmed the first by her beauty and vivac-
ity; she alarmed the last by her freedom of
speech and disdain of conventionality. The
possession of fortune was necessary to
account for the splendor of her dresses.
Perhaps Mrs. Scheveningen could have ex-
planned this last, as she had financed Matty
TO a considerable extent. But Mrs. schev-
of enlightenment the house party credited
Matty with large income. Such fictitious
wealth added to her charm.
Leonard Conway was half pleased, half
vexed. with his cousin. 1t was gratifying
to his perspicuity to see that he had not
been mistaken in his estimate of her char
acter. appearance, demeanor and behavior.
1t was irritating that one so utterly at
variance with his ideal of female excel
fence should be so attractive. Despite his
thirty years and knowledge of the world
and high standard as to what qualities
himself strongly drawn towards this scat
ter-brain creature, who satisfied him on no
point, yet attracted him on all To his
mind she was the feminine counterpart Of
the contradictory man In Martiars cpl
gram. He explained this after his own
fashion to Mrs. Conway.
II don't like her, and yet I do like her,
mother" he said. one day, when Matty
had been particularly aggravating. 'She
sets my teeth on edge with her slang one
minute, and charms me in spite of myself
the next"
"She is full of contradictory qualities"
replied Mrs. Conway, who always agreed
with her idol Leonard.
'I never met with the species before, so
1 can't classify her." said Leonard, in a
| vexed tone. ''She puts me In mind Of
Heine's SPHINX. Her mouth caresses. her
claws wound"
"Oh, Leonardo"
Don't be shocked, mother. only speak
fguratively. You wouldn't like her for a
daughter-in-law. 1 suppose?' he added.
looking up suddenly.
mo, 1 certainly should not" answered
his mother, decisively. "She would not
make you happy"
'Oh, yes, she wouid-for a; minute, and
the next put me out of temper But you
need not be afraid. mother; my head can
look after my heart
IT wish you would marry Isabella Mon
tray" said Mrs. Conway, plaintively. "She
is such a thoroughly good girl
''And such a thoroughly dull girl re-
torted Conway. mo, thank you, mother;
1 don't want to go to the other extreme.
If 1 could only find the happy medium be-
tween Matty and Miss Montray 1 should
discover an ideal wife. The vivacity and
beauty of the one would go excellently
with the pure English and good breeding
of the other. But / am not likely to find
such a combination" he finished, with a
| sigh.
In point of fact he was more attracted
| by Matty than he chose to acknowledge,
even to himself. She filed void In his
| life, If not in satisfactory manner, at
least in a way which showed him that he
could never be happy without her. On the
| other hand he could never be happy with
| her. Altogether the situation was unsatis-
| factory. He wished she would depart,
then he hoped she would remain. He
sought her society one day and resolutely
avoided her the next. 1t was most per-
picking.
! at wish she would marry Kendrick and
go away" he groaned, in bitterness of
spirit Those sort of girls always want
a title. Kendrick would just suit her, and
yet who could wish her tied to such an
idiot?"
This was unjust. Lord Kendrick was
shallow, but by no means an idiot. He
was not cultured, but he held his own in
all outdoor sports. He could shoot. fish,
ride and row admirably; moreover his skill
at billiards was undeniable, and he could
dance exceedingly we'll If not an Adonis
he was at least good looking. That even
| ing Matty spoke about him to her cousin.
She could hardly fail to see that both men
! were in love with her; therefore, she played
off one against the other in her usual
| fashion. The comedy amused her greatly.
There was ball taking place at the FRS.
| From far and near the provincials came to
partake of Conways hospitality. He was
! greatly liked and respected in his county,
| and had in him the making of a future
lord lieutenant. Looking at the brilliant
throng of his friends in the ballroom and
knowing how popular he was with them
| all. confident in the possession of money,
health. good looks and youth, he should
| have been supremely happy. Yet he was
the reverse at this minute. for Matty was
| nlaying off her witcheries at his elbow.
| Alternately she shocked and charmed him
One moment he could have kissed her, the
next he felt a mad desire to shake her
thoroughly. Matty guessed the duality OF
his feelings, and perversely accentuated
her assumed manner. She impaled her VIC
tim on a pin and watched him writhe with
| complacent satisfaction. Sweet is revenge
especially to women" Who dare deny By
ron's knowledge of the sex?
Lord Hendricks spry in the leg line.
vuess." she said, watching the energetic
revolutions of her titled lover. Hes as
lively as a woodchuck."
HE certainly puts his heart into. his
work." replied Leonard. coldly, "but &c
dance with one woman and to look at an
other at the same time Is hardly likely tC
be successful"
.That's a fact, anyhow. He's been sharp
shootin' at me all night
do you like him?
some. He's real sweet, and love hin
hard"
ar --,& sav much for your taste [" eaif