North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-02-08
S&lett Storp,
THE COQUETTE'S FATE
"Oh Nellie, Nellie Oh Nellie !"

| A tiny pair OF white hands were rased
deprecatingly, and pair of large, violet
eyes sought her face, bearing in their depths
an expression Of entreaty beautiful to behold;
but the proud face of Nellie Raymond turn
ed away, perhaps to shut out that beautiful
vision. and low, trllling laugh, ran over her
red lips.
"Oh Nellie how can you be SO heartless ?
How can you lead a man on to believe that
you love him, and then, when his heart is
yours, with all its great fount of manly love
and tenderness laugh in his face, and bid
him go from your presence-hopeless and
despairing. tell you Nellie Raymond you
will some day have to account for the mise
cry you have wrought"
"Do you think so 2" said Nellie: lightly,
"Ah we'll"
but it will not be well," said Alice May.
''You will see it in a different light some
day. | could not close my eyes one hour
in peaceful slumber were my life so weighed
down with such evil deeds as yours"
evil deeds ! Really, Alice, you are harsh
exclaimed Nellie, flush of momen;ary NOR
tification and anger oyerspreading her white
| forehead
Dear Nellie,', said her friend, what is
the use of calling things by other than their
| right names If seem severe, 1 only tell
you the truth and you know that Ihave been,
your best friend candid and frank"
"Well Allie, yon might have a little more
regard for ones feelings" said Nellie.
''Have you any regard for the feelings of
others, Nellie ?" asked Alice. 'There is a
good book in which sublime teacher said
'Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you" Now, how far DO you carry out
this rule ?'
sob! Alice spare me for PHYS sake-don't
preach to me now," said Nellie, "Tm not in
mood for it."
But Alice May was relentless.
"You did not spare poor George Norton
whom you SO cruelty deceived" she contin-
| ued, ''and then drove him from you with
de- p1r in his heart, and the turden Of
hopeless life. The green sod of an Italian
vale C vers the heart of o. @ who loved you
but too wildly, and whose reward, after
months OF weary wandering, and hopeless
p;ning life, which soon sank beneath its
weight of sorrow, in an exile's grave. Then
there is another, widows only son who
frets his life away in madhouse; yes, a
madhouse, Nellie, to which your cruelty con-
signed him. Oh Nellie Raymond, better
thousand times despoil your face of its dan
gerous beauty than bear the load of sin it
brings upon you for it is feerful"
A slight culver in the erect frame of the
beautiful girl was the sole response.
"Poor Walter Mayfield ~ continued Alice
sadly sometimes pass the window of the
cell in which he is confined, and catch a.
glimpse Of his haggard face and he always
smiles like pleased child when he sees me.
Then | contrast him now with what he once
was, and weep In spite of myself over the
wreck of strong noble life. He used to be
pleasant and gay always, but strong and self,
RANT when anything occurred to call forth
energy or action. Oh he was q noble
handsome man but now he is a feeble help.
less maniac. Poor fellow"
NclIie's face wore an expression of mingled
grief, defiance and modification but she re-
mained silent for few moments, watching
the tears as they rolled slowly over Alice
Nays cheeks.
"Aud my, own dear, only brother will be
your next Vctim," said Alice, after pause,
otking up sadly and mourufully.
ooh Nellie, he is all have-I am alone
in the world with him only to love me -
Spare him to me for the love of mercy !"
Nellie rose with hotly flushed cheek and
flashing eye.
"Allie, how can you talk thus 2" she ex,
claimed. "But tell you Alice May, if art
and beauty can bring your proud cold broth
er to the feet of woman, he shall come to
mine. He shall love me.'
''And if he does, and you turn him from
you, you will kill him. said Alice. "Once un.
bend his proud na ture, and unlock the founts
of tenderness in his heart and then cast
him from you, and see the consequences
Oh Nellie Raymond, there is sufficient on
your soul already. Spare yourself if you
spare no other.
Inc last words were unheeded, for Nellie
had swept from the room, and little Alice
May bowed her head upon fthe sofa cushion
and sebbed piteouslY. She had warned her
brother repeatedly. but he seemed hoedless
and with an aching heart the gentle little
sister looked forth to hopeless, desolate
life for him who had ever been her all on
earth.
Several weeks passed away, and little AL
ice May stood before the altar. The man
she had chosen was noble, true and good, and