Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-03-02
THE COQUETTE AND THE
COQUETTE tanner.


Mabel Gray was most beautiful! but
her beauty was of that sort which we
gaze upon admringly and distrnstlul'
iy. She was tall, slender and perfect
ly proportional. Her eyes were large.
black and sparkling Her hair of the
same color, fell in luxurient tresses o.
yer her shoulders. Her eyebrows
were strongly marked and atched. -
Her lips were ROSY and mischievous.
Her nose was Roman and imperious.
Her completion was dark but clear,
and mantling with a delicate bloom.
To these pecuiaritlcs her character
correspondent. She was clever, capri
cious and tender. Fond Of exchang-
ing admiration, she despised any feel
ing short of absolute love, aud SEEM
ingly DESTROYS Of dominion over all,
she really wished only for The undivi-
ded homage Of one Bot as she knew
herself capable ola deep and lasting
passion, so she demanded nothing less
from the man on whom she should be-
stow her heart; and in order 10 prove
him she resolved not to give the least
token Of encouragement until his en-
tire love and conStancy were beyond =
doubt II he could remain true while
she laviShed smiles and attentions on
his rivals, then she would after a time
rclent. and make up by warmth and
sincerity for previous GOODNESS aud de-
ceit. Mabel Gray was a coquette-buI
likely to become something better.
twas not possible for such girl
20 live unwooed, and when | state that
she was an orphan with large fortune
al her own disposal, it may be suppos-
cd that her lovers were rather numer-
Gus.
Among those who profess them
selves enamored OF her charms was OF
liver Pearson, young man of property,
education and prepossessing manners.
His person was commanding and bis
features handsome. He was gifted
with peculiar readiness aud pliancy
of intellect, which enabled him 10 a.
dapt himself 10 any occasion, and turn
il advantage. He could be grave or
gay, sentimental or saiirical, and all
with apparently equal ease. Oliver
Pearson was just the man to cope with
a coquette, and, olall coquettes, Mabel
Gray.
She treated him with less favor than
others, because she suspected she be-
held him with more. Indeed she
feared 10 examine herself strictly OF
this subject, lest she should discover
too plainly. how foigned was her indil
ference. And what was her reason
for playing this poor, hypocriiical port
She was no, convinced that Pearson
was devoted 10 her as she considered
her merits deserved lie had not
humb,cd himself sufficiently low and
sufficiently long Before she could
deign TO evince the leas; sign Of love
she must feel that she was loved as
human creature was ever loved in the
world before. She committed a great
but common error: inordinatc wo.
man, vanity she considered proper
maidenly pride,
One morning she sat working, while
Oliver Pearson sat by her side looking
on. The work on which Mabel Gray
was employed was very characteristic
Of her. She was working Silken
chain for lover whom she despiSe /
in order to vex 4 lover whom she ad-
mirei. Never did sic touch thatchain
u"less Oliver Pearson was present
His we'll kGown knock was the signal
for her nking j, W, and his departure
for her putting itlowH. Is ostensi6le
purpose, as 4 present; was quite seCoa-
aary TO It's real purpose, as az engine