The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-06-13


but simply for the reason that
tit is part of woman's nature to do so
when an opportunity offers.
Frank called at my Office the day fol-
lowing his visit and acquainted me with +
his troubles for the fortieth time, finishing
the story with the proceedings of the last
night. He said he must arrive at con-
clusion before he started to college and /
that he had exhausted his Ingenuity in
vain. Any scheme which would recon-
mend he would adopt, let the result be
what it might.
| lighted fresh havana, cooked up my
heels on chair back and looked very
wise for time. At last l hit upon a
scheme which pleased me, and went to |
work to impart it with all its minutise,
adding about fifteen times, by way of pa
renthesis, that he must not let his weak
ness betray him. He promised that he
would not, thought the plan good one,
and said he would follow it to the very
letter.
One evening about a week after this
conference, Frank called again upon Car
L
side her rather carelessly and after few
minutes spent in commonplace converse
tion, began to philosophize upon the sub
lject of love; arguing that it was mere
tcreature of the Imagination, and that ten
minutes sober reflection was sufficient to
ldispel it from the mind of any sane man.
That was the plain reasoning of the thing
and it was confirmed by his experience.
Then suddenly changing the subject re-
marked that in week he would be on his
way to college. He had received lette /.
from friend there, and had promised CO
lspend the vacation with him. His fri end
had cousin the most beautiful an i ac-
eomplished lady he had ever sec ,, and
was repnted to be very wealthy.
He took Carries hand in his, till talk
ling away about his friends cous Al. She
did not withdraw it this time a she otter
did, and before she was aware Frank had
tremoyed the pledged ring.
why did you do that, frank?n SAID
Carrie half alarmed. zf 49,
II merely wished to see. how it would
fit my finger; and now let Us see how this
will fit yours" And he t,,ok the pledged
ring from his finger and. put it on hers
ssNew, Carrie, where a ne our plcdgesY
said he smiling and taking his hat. 81
may see you again before leave for col
Ilege Good night"
/ met Frank next evening; he was il
i greater stew than ever. s
. "Well, Frank, what success?n said I.
aI succeeded in learning that she is 6
heartless coquette. She has no feelings
herself and cannot appreciate them il
others. She did encourage me, i am no
mistaken in that, and now she has flirtee
me, I am not mistaken in that. She ii
4 an unfeeling, artful coquette.''
: .Hold On, Frank, don't get too fast
81 You are not in half as much trouble a.
& you think you are.i'
10 stYou have told me that before or
y would have abandoned her long ago ant
lnt not been victimized. It's nonsense fo
s you to talk so now Read that note" h
J" added throwing me crumpled paper.
,e l read as follows: albright. No OBJ
lection to the exchange, as the ring hav
o. now is worth about Eve dollars more thai
ID the other"
..This is certainly strange, very strange
rs Where did you get it,"
Id Il found it on my desk this afternoon
K But no matter where got it. Isn't it th
coolest piece of cffrontery you ever saw?
ce II confess, Frank, -I 1 am littl
Id perplexed;n and / read the note agail
then got up and paced the floor a fe
on times, perfectly taken aback by the resu
id of our experiment.
"I'll leave this place tomorrow morl
"a ing,2' said Frank, "and if can't con
lot mand pride enough to conquer this sill
for passion, Pm fool, that's all. kne
she was coquette, and always told ye
- tso Carrie can consider herself indebtt
nd to you for a victim to her coquetry,v
"Don't blame me- Frank. If ha'
i've been mistaken / counseled you wron
ou and unless this admits of some explain
re- ton ! certainly never was more gross
mistaken in my life. !"
"Explanation! If You can read you c,
s.. 81 see that it admits no explanation" sa
'Ae Frank rising and taking his hat.
,ahl "Don't leave, Frank. Let us talk t
es,g affair over awhile.
pa "No, / have heard as much as ! wi
ed. to about it and win pack up to-morrt
rew morning and leave for college"
ing Frank left and / sat down in cha
ved feeling about ninety mine per cent. K
,ul. 1confdence in my knowledge Of hum
sui. nature. thought about as he had dol
fec THAT It would admit no explanation, a
.ble lyet T felt that it were impossible for j
all to be so much mistaken IN Carrie Melyil
end / had been an intimate friend from
vor- youth up, and more than once had S
Ter confessed to me her partiality for Frar
He I knew her to be kind and amiable g
i'm. and how she could find it in her heart
APPS treat him as she had done, was to me
) in inexplicable mystery. ] determined
make one effort to unravel it.
/ ofl Z received letter from Frank q {