An Original Belle

articular evening which it was our privilege to select there occurred a trivial incident. She was led to think, and thought is the precursor of action and chan

it as the majority of her class. Thus far she had accepted life as she found it, and was in the main conventional. She was not a deliberate coquette; it was not her recognized purpose to give a heartache to as many as possible; she merely enjoyed in thoughtless exultation her power to attract you

girls in the same season, while their hearts remained as invulnerable as old-fashioned pin-cushions, heart-shaped, that adorn country "spare rooms." But now and then a man endowed with a deep, strong nature would finally leave her side in

was not in earnest," she would say, pet

revealing so much themselves by look, tone, and touch of hand, eager to supplement one significant glance by life-long loyalty, they were slow in understanding that answering

ife. It was inevitable, therefore, that Marian Vosburgh should become a mirage to more than one man; and when at l

in several directions, until by some unwritten law the social line was drawn. Strangers from the city might be received within the inner circle, or they might not, as some of the leaders practically decreed by their own action. Mr. Vosburgh did not care in the least for the circle or its constituents.

ir set." Indeed, with little effort she could have won recognition from the bluest blood of the vicinage; but this was not her ambition. She cared little for the ladies of her neighborhood, and less for their ancestors, while she saw as much of the gentlemen as she desired. She had her intimates among her own sex, however, and was on the best terms with her good-natured, good-hearted, but rather superficial mother, who was a discreet, yet indulgent chaperon,

e the parlor is preferable to the vine-sheltered piazza, screened by the first tender foliage. W

ss by knowledge of the world and society; resolute, also, in attaining his desired ends. His attentions to Marian have been unmistakable for some months, and he believes that he has received encouragement. In truth, he has been the recipient

ressure of the hand, and his

eeable surprise, Mr.

s afternoon. On my way to lunch I became aware of the beauty of the day, and as my thoughts persisted in going up t

e reputation of

ld you think of a young fel

k at all. You give us girls

'us girls' anything. I am much too busy for that. But I kn

mind on something and keeping it there. I like to let thoughts come and go as the clouds do in our June skies. I don't mean thunder-clouds and all they signify, but light vapors that have scarcely beginning or end, an

d you to pass a pleasant evening you insure a pleasanter one for me. What hav

uncomfortable question to ask a girl! You men

said that

ed off by lunch, and the time of that event depends largely upon the kitchen divinity that we can lure to this remote and desolate region. 'Faix,' remarked that potentate, sniffing around disdainfully the day we arrived, 'does yez expects the loikes o' me to stop in this lonesomeness? We're jist at the ind of the wourld.' Mamma increased her wages, which were already double what she earns, and she still condescends to prov

e country for rest a

ri

d my head that I had come into the country for th

d more than you say between your lines. When I approached the h

have as jolly times

tes a rather one-sided condition of affairs. I could not prevent my thoughts from visiting you often to-day

rls don't tell everything," when the maid

a gentleman that he can afford to be himself. Mr. Strahan was quite sure of his welcome, for he felt that he brought to the little cottage a genuine Madison-avenue atmosphere. He was greeted with the cordiality which made Miss Vosburgh's drawing-room one of the pleasantest of lounging-places, whether in town or country; and under his voluble lead conversation took the character of fashionable gossip, which would have for the reader as much interes

m West Point who knew Mr. Vosburgh. There were also callers from the neighborhood during the evening. Mrs. Vosburgh made her appearance early, and was almost as skilful a hostess as her daughter. But few of the guests remained long.

stess, and a good-natured sense of honor, which made her feel that each guest was entitled to attention. She was not much given to satire, and the young men soon learned that she would say more briery things to their faces than behind their backs. It was also discovered that ill-natured remarks about callers who had just departed were not tolerated,-that within certain limits she was loyal to her friends, and that, she was too high-minded to speak unhandsomely of one whom she h

rse such a girl would eventually marry, and with natural hope and egotism each one felt that he might be the successful competitor.

to the devotion of one. The secret of this was perhaps that her heart had remained so untouched and unconscious that she scarcely knew she had o

would say lovely things to him of her esteem, respect, regret, etc. She would wish they might remain friends-why

e to a signal, Mrs. Vosburgh remained until even Mr. Lane despaired of an

ed out on the piazza to breathe for a few moments the cool, fragrant air. She had dropped into a rustic seat, and was thinkin

d that wan an' spakin' swate to the t'other, an' kapin' all on the string till they can nayther ate nor slape nor be half the min they were till ye bewildered 'em. Ye're nothin' but a giddy, light-minded, shallow crather, a spoilin' min for your own fun.

ore the speaker had concluded Marian was on her way to the door, that she might not listen to a convers

o wourse than me

, but it went straigh

her room her ch