Squatter sovereign., 1855-08-28
Mistsllausous,
From the Waverly Magazine.
T HE COQUETTE, !,
a Tale.
BY JOHN H..v. ARNOLD.

Many years ago Margaret Haine was
the reigning belle of the little town of C
-, in England and in good truth she
well deserved the distinction. She was
finely formed, graceful, handsome girl of
nineteen summers, with pair of soft blue
eyes, which seemed TO melt with tender
ness. She was the only child of substan-
tial farmer, and all The young men-both
of town and country-laid unanimous siege
to her heart. But there was one failing in
Margaret, which is,iunhappily, too COM
mon among her sex !; she was coquette
OR, as certain old maid said, ssa flirt.''
She had kind heart and kind word to
the poor, who sought her aid; but, never
less, she thought it a very delightful thing
to have the power Of refusing offers which
any other girl in the town would have
gladly accepted; to be able to say alike to
the squire's son and the farmers lad,-
You're not for me-"
Now this might do very well for her own
amusement, but it evidently did not suit
her numerous lovers; and many were the
brows whose future she had darkened.-
People shook their heads and said she had
no heart, and prognosticated that all things
would not turn out we'll at the end. But
they were much mistaken as to the state of
her heart, for she had one, and one which
beat warmly, too; but twas exclusively
occupied with one thought. In a word,
Margaret Haine slowed" yes, smile not,
she loved; and deep and devoted was her
affection, as true and passionate as woman
only could love.
Harold Adams was the only son of
gentleman of landed estate, who resided
near the farm of the Haine's. 1t was on
him that Margaret bestowed so lavishly
that affection which was so much courted.
And he was worthy of it; frank, manly,
handsome, accomplished and noble mind
ed; be returned her love with an intensity
equal 10 her own. He first became ac-
quainted with Margaret a: village par
ty, and was struck with her beauty. He
sought her society, and her accomplish
ments soon won his heart
But, although she returned his love SO
fervently, yet she had never permitted him
10 know it, and he had the pain to see what
he thought was her indifference to him !;
but, which was truly the spirit of coquetry,
which reigned so supremely over her ac-
tons, advancing daily.
One fine evening, as they strolled forth,
he laid his hand and heart at her feet. AL
though her heart beat IN ecstacies at the
proposal, still her reiging fault persuaded
her from the path of right. 81 will play
with him little longer, and see what eff
feet it has on him. she said, inwardly.-
So she laughed, and said it was very
good joke. Wildly he rushed from her
presence. "She never loved me- he
shrieked.
Agonized at what she had done, she
called his name, but he had gone. One
Of her fathers servants passing soon after
found her lying senseless on the ground
He carried her home, and restoratives were
Immediately applied; but, upon awaking
from insensibility, she fell into brain fe-
yer, which lasted for month. When, at
last, she was sufficiently recovered, her
first question was of the whereabouts of
Harold. They told her that he had left
the village on the day she was found in
the forest, and had not been seen or heard
of since. For week she was in par
oxysm of grief; but, from thence she grew
calm. Her old lovers crowded around her,
but she repelled them. She seemed to be
entirely changed. and no longer appeared
to take an interest in anything. Every
offer of marriage was refused, and she ex-
pressed her resolve never to wed. She
was always inspired with belief that
Harold would come back.
Years rolled on, when, one day, car
riage drove up to the door of old Mr.. Ad-
ans, whose hair was now whitened with
the SHOWS of many winters, and with sor-
row for the loss of his only child. Mrs.
Adams had died some time before the
commencement of our story. and the old
man was indeed desolate. He came out
to meet his visitors. A man in the prime
OF lie stepped forth another moment and
the old man would have fallen had not he
supported him. He lifted his head; it was
Harold Adams! Calling servant, he
led his father into q room. Returning