The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-02-23
S elect q aIe.
THECOQUETT PUNISHMENT.
BY D. VERNON.

beauty lay more in 5rilliancy of ex-
preston than in regularity of feature or
delicacy of expression. Truth to tell
when animated, Lucille was positively plain
she would not at such times have at
tracted the least attention, but when the
light of her soul had beamed from ev-
cry feature, and literally blazed from
her deep bue eyes, she was as lovely and
bewitching creature Us ever trod
this lower sphere. And she knew this.
Yet her manners were simple, and as
innocently playful as those of little
child.
Lucille's greatest fault was passion
for coquetry. Scores of lovers gazed
aud sighed in her presence, and each
deemed himself the favored one, so be-
wildered was he by her fascinating smiles
and magnetic glances. But when he
came to offer her that highest compile
ment man can offer woman, the be-
stowal of his hand and heart, she coldly
and proudly banished him from her pres
ence. Does not such woman deserve
severe punishment? She did not escape
it.
4 Her time to love-which is said to come
but once in life time-came at last, Clar-
ence Wilburn was presented to her at an
evening party. He was young and fine
looking; tall, graceful and perfect gen.
tleman in bis department, but although of
a lively and sociable disposition. there was
deep vein of pride too beneath the sur
face, Lucille, who had never believed in
the passion of love at the first glance felt
her heart go forth to meet him, and trem-
bled inwardly as she met his admiring
glance. The evening passed delightfully."-
and, after returning home, her mid
night pillow was haunted by his presence;
spiritual presence of course.
Well; they met and met again-and
deeper and deeper grew the unbreathed
passion between them-for silent love Oft
en- casts more potent spell over the soul
than that which finds vent in words. Oh!
they were happy-those two young beings,
SO full of life, and hope, and loye--happy
for o time only--alas! For Lucille's
spirit of coquetry led her to the temptation
of putting the affection of Clarence to a
severe test. 8a geglGrh 4.e5l ra raGi
Charles Denison was young man she
haG once discarded, but not being per-
son of delicate feelings, he did not appear
to be at all abashed --rand still hung around
her, watching for glance, or a snile.r7
His motto was '.neyer give up!' rao1a
One pleasant summer day, Lucille and
Clsrence, with some others, went to pic
ME in a beautiful wood in their neighbor
hood, and while there, lucille fancied tha
her lover was too attentive to q, young
girl comparative stranger,srwho being
plain and unattractige received no notic,
from the young men. to- their shame be i
spoken; -oH yraIi 10 sf] 81 gsoHaqaeqa!
! But Clarence, whose noble sympathiz
ing nature led him to acts of kindness an,
benevolence, at all times, delicately dres
the young lady into conversation, an
fingered by her side, longer than Lucill
approved of although she knew perfect
well the motive which prompted him. 4
little piqued at his momentary forgetful
9 ness of herself, she allowed her coquettis
: nature, to prevail, and Immediately turn
ing to Charles Denison, who was not ia
of, Lucille bestowed on him smile whic
lighted up his heart as if . ray of sunshin
had entered it. She then commenced +
lively conversation, fall Of gay nothing
which, some women So delight in, an
, when Clarence again sought her side, sh
deigned him hlm not 2 glance, much c less
word. %, am;. aoqe-.t s.lt+a afds.ay i ?
:, AS said, Clarence Wilburn was
proud man, and this conductfrom one
loved CALLED him to-, the quick. He di
4 not stand long in her presence to /
? sighted or scorned, but turned cold
B and hanghtily from her to the youn
! girl before spoken Of, and remained besit
y her for the rest of the day
r. "Now, you've done it!'', said Lucille
a conscience to her that night, as she !,
awake thinking over the events Of Il
. day, .It serves you right if you ha, hla.,
;4 lost hin!''s - ao.[a5r - -
n .Yes,' she said, 4 deserve to lose his lov
I am not worthy Of devotion of which
soul like his is capable. Oh! that hs
been wiser-that I had not spoken to tn
!, everlasting Denison-ohi how despi
= that man!' = i,.'
), And Lucille moaned with the deep pa
9 in her heart--pain caused by her ov
misconduct, No sleep visited her ey
that night, and IN the morning her fami
wondered at the haggardness oi her cou
tenance. She said she felt HIT was j
more than the truth. ''i' 'a''i's'
A few days after, Lucille met Claren
at social gathering. He entered t
room with cold steady air, looking
tall and proud, shv thought he never loo
ed so handsome! Supposing a sigh
: remorseful pain, she watched him cover
ly, as passing her without glance
ID moved directly to the side o: Lucrei
Q, Wilburn-the plain young, lady befo
a. mentioned whose eyes lighted up wi
grateful pleasure as he spoke to her wi