The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-11-06
The COquette's Confession.

had lascerated by refusing the offers of
marriage after had lured them on co a
"declaration.' My last victims name
was james Frazer He was tall, awk-
ward, homely and ungainly man, ubut his
heart was as true as steel l respected
him highly, and felt panied when / wit
fhessed- his anguish at my rejsciion of him
Rgs g fa6s gas yss,s : fallen IN
remitting ID bis devotions to me. Mr..
Frazer warned me against Mr. Elliott;
but ! charged him with jealousy, and took
bis warnings as an insult. A few days
afterwards Elliott and I werc engaged,
and my dream of romaatic love seemed
in fair way of realization. l Ishsd q week
of happiness. Many haze not SO much,
in lifetime. Many awake from the
bright, short dream, to find themselves in
lifelong darkness and bondage, from
which there is no escape Thank God
I was not so miserable as they
| My mother was widow in opulent
circumstances, but having very bad health.
she was also of an easy, listless, crednlous
nature. hating trouble, and wiling to TAKE
things just as they might happen to pre-
sent themselves. She therefore made 40
| inquiries about Captain Elliott; but fond.
lly believed that inasmuch, as he. was
captain, he must necessarily bs man of
honor also, especially as be had served in
the Crimea and in Iadia, and wore med
ais. His regiment was quartered in our
neighborhood, aud he had the reputation
of being one of the wealthiest, as he was
certainly the handsomest officer in it. /
remember as well as possible the day when
We became engaged; he was on duty, but
bad managed to ride over to our house in
his uniform, and while we were walking
iu the garden be made the tender ayowal
I referred him to .".mamma;" he hsstsned
to her. returned in three minutes, and led
me into her presence to receive the assur-
ance that The maternal consent had been
readily and freely given! To be surel
Ny dear mother hated trouble, as have
said, and she moreover loved me tenderly,
so that she was we'll pleased to siod hus
band presenting himself in form and
| manner apparently so eligible for her be-
loved and only daughter.
Well, week passed qaite delightfully."-.
as have said; ard at the expiration OF
this brief period there might one forenoon
have been seen a gay equestrian party
riding through our old Devonahire woods
and quiet country roads. Elliott aud 4
led the cavalcsde. rode my own beau
tiful brown Bess. Captain Elliott was
mounted on the handsome black horse
that had been sent him from London.
Following US was a bcvy Of merry girls
and their cavaliers; and among them was
tall awkward and silent James Frazer
His presence had marred the pleasure Of
my ride, and ! was glad to be in advance
of them all that i might not see him.
And so we'rode on through ths woods,
and listened, we'll pleased. to the low
but animated words of the gallant Elliott.
who wished himself knight end me
fair ladyof the oiden time, that lie might
go forth to do battle for me, and compel
all men to recognize the claims Of his
peerless love. Very eloquently hesspoka
of the inspiration of lore. of the brave
deeds and perilous exploits it had prompt,
ed, wishing again, and again that he might
thus proclaim and maintain his love be |
fore the world 1t pleased me to listen to
this. aud to believe it sincere. though II
surely had no wish to put my lover to
such test. Hs-a 5s1 a5dssasal ri as.
A shot suddenly raag through the still
woods. and a wounded bird. darling past,
fell and futtered at the feet of Brown
Bess. With bound and spring that
ne2rly unsea ei me, she was 2cff '24a
Struggling to- regain my sese,, mad no
power to restrain her: and even as she
flew, the fear aai madacss Of me moment
grew upon her. Ic'u:d cply cling breath
lessly to the name and bri'iie. and wonder
heIpless'y where this m ID G ,il1p was to
end Shs swerved from a passing wagon
and turned into path that led TO the
river. Iu the sudden movement the reins
had been torn from my hands. and / conld
not regain them. cloug to the mare,
aud closed my eyes that I might no, be.
hold the fate. that awaited me. How
sweet was life in those precious moments,
that thought my. last! How all its joys
its affections. its last browning love rose
ns before me! thought of the pang
that weuld read Elifott's heart as he saw
me lying mangied and dead; aud then the
thought would come if he was pursuing
aud trying to save NE, even. as he had
said, at the risk of life and limb.
( l remembered uo.more | felt sudden
shock. a fearf1! rushing through the air,
atd knew no more. until. days afterward,
awoke to g faint, weak semblance of
life in my chamber at home.
| never saw Captain Elliott again. The
last words / ever heard from his lips were
those of knightiy daring. The last act
of his life in couuection with mine, was to !
follow in the train Of frightened youhs |
who rode after me-, To contemplate thsSdis-
aster from afar, aud, as soon as he saw me
lifted from the shallow bed of the rigsr in
TO which l had been tb!own whSp my