The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-06-25
THE coauETTE.
BY ANNA wILMor.


time. Her chief pleasure seemed to be ir
extorting admiration from the sex, and then
sporting with the feelings she had awaken
ed. In at least half dozen instances
young men had been encouraged to pay
her attentions for months at time and
when confident Of having won her regard
they came forward with serious offers oi
marriage, she threw them from her with
indifference that was both mortifyine
and painful.
But like most of those who play this
game with the feelings of others, Ada was
made TO taste a cup as bitter as any mixed
by her hands for tie lips of her victims.
A young physician named Bedford, whose
prospects in life were much better than are
usually presented to the eyes of graduates
in his profession, met Ada one evening, and
was exceedingly pleased with her-and no
less pleased was Ada with the young ply
scian. A wish to make good impression
added to her usual habit of putting on her
hest grace when in company with young
men, made Ada more than usually interest
ing, and when DR.. Bedford separated from
the bewitching young girl, he was com
pletely enamored. lie took an early op-
portunity to call upon her, and was re-
ceived in manner that encouraged him to
repeat his visits.
Never were visits more agreeable to any
one than were those of DR.. Bedford to Ada
Glenn. But the old spirit had not died out,
and really fattered as she was by the young
mans attentions, Ada was tempted to give
him specimen of her power and indcpcn-
dence.
No very long time elapsed ere Dr.. Bed
ford laid his heart at Ada's feet With a
thrill Of pleasure could she have accepted
the profered gift of love; but 10 yield at
once seemed like becoming too easy prize,
aud she therefore affected profound aston
ishmcnt at the Doctors proposal; treated
it rather lightly, and deeply wounded his
naturally sensitive and independent feelings
by too marked an exhibition of disdain.
Doctor Bedford retired with his mind in
fever of excitement His admiration of
and love for Ada had been Of the warmest
character. Judging from her manner, lie
had felt warranted in believing that the re-
gard he felt for her was fully reciprocated I;
and when he approached her with confess
sion of what was in his heart, he was pre-
pared for any reception but the one lie re-
ceived. To be then repulsed coldy, proud
iv, and almost contcmwiously, was to re-
c"ve a blow Of the sevcrcst kind, and one,
the pain of which lie was not likely soon
tVforget.
= From the dwelling of Ada, DR.. Bedford
retired to his Office with his mind greatly
excited. There he found young friend,
with whom he was intimate, and to whom,
: as he could not hide his feelings, he com
municated in confidence the result of his
interview with Ada. TO his SURPRISE the
friend said
81 can hardly pity you, Doctor. I saw
you were pleased with'that gay fiirt, who is
fascinating enough but did not dream
that you were serious in your attentions to
one known everywhere as a most heartlcss
..coquette."
DR.. Bedford looked surprised. "Are you
III earnest 2" he said.
"In earnest Certainly! Didn't you
know that this was her character 2"
81 had not the most remote suspicion" :"
"Strange that it should not have come
toyour ears . !, I can point you to three she
has Tilted, within my own knowledge"
III that is her. character" said the doc.
tor, .ralIying himself with strong effort at
ssiecontrol, and speaking in composed
and resolute voice, Il will at once obliter
ate her.image from my mind. 1t was un,
worthy forrest tl,ese. did not love Ada,
butaa faif ideal Of womauly virtue that /
vainlyshe!ieyaa she embodied"
''You are right. She is not worthy Of
,you, my friend, beautiful, intelligent and: in.
teresting as she is"
"No. She is utterly unworthy. Fortu.
nate ami that she did'not accept my offer
Il required, on the part of Ada strong
effort to assume towards Dr.: Bedford q
false exterior, and when he withdrew from
her presence, composed and dignifed in his
manner, she more than half regretted her
folly. But she forced back this feeling
with gay smile and toss of the head
saying half aloud
*He1lsbe here again before week goes
by"
But Ada was slightly in error. The
week passed sihout bringing her lover
Andsso wentsb two, three and four weeks
But vain Of her power over the other sex
Ads still endeayored to maintain a conf
dent spirit though there were times tha,