The Evansville journal., 1867-04-24
4 C0QUETTYS AWAKENING.

1t was a glorious full moon, and the
silver light flooded the apartment,
and threw a pleasant shade on my
companions face as we sat converslng.s
The gas was lighted and just gllm-
mered In the brilliant chandeliers, at
Mr.. Earles particular request, in or
der that I'VE might enjoy the bewltch-
ing 1ovelfness of the evening. | was
sure that a declaration was lmpend-
ing, for had long known that the
handsome, arlstocratlc, John Earle
only awaited favorable opportunity
to declare bis devotion: ! had not
the least Eohiection to his doing SO, for
that was favorlte pastlme OF mine;
so I led him on. as l we'll understood
how to do, and descanted upon the
weird and wonderful beauty of the
moonlight, its effect upon my peculiar
temperament, the intense home sick
ness and loneliness it engendered,
what strange longing for sympathy
had, but particularly on evenings
like these, and ] looked up into his
faultless face as much as to say that L
perfectly comprehended where Icould
find all that was necessary to my hap.
piness; and so, of course, | was not
at all surprised when he said, in low, :
passionate tones:
If you only knew, Miss Tilly,
how intensely | love you, and how
earnestly | am capable of sympathiz--
ing with you in every thought and
feeling, you would never have another
heart-longing that | could not
satisfy M
What demon was it that caused me.
to leave my right hand in his, while
with his left he touched it lovingly?
And the moonlight danced fantastic
ally on the diamond solitaire, which
glistened and glowed on his little fin
ger. like a star. so brilliant was it.
was thinking. Even in that moment, 4
when I felt him trembling, his hand
burning in mine with the intensity of
his love and anxiety. [ could calmly,
reflect and wonder what course would
be polite. All, yes, it was policy
with me then, cold, calculating policy,
without the first warm breath of love
to stir my heart into anything bor-
dering upon affection. [ was only
twenty, and this had not been the first
man whom [ had brought kneeling to
my feet | could count them by the
dozen; and when other subjects failed
to interest, and [ was e7anuied to death
had the habit of counting them over
process invariably soothedt and COM.
forted. What strange influence
was it upon me then? / wonder at it
now. but after few moments. which
must have appeared ages to him, he
said again:
will you notspeak to me, Tilly?"
1t cannot be that you are coquette
enough to trample upon the sacred
feelings Of a mans soul?n -
He must have read the indecision
in my expression-for my face, vain
and ,ceneeiteda as i was, reflected,
every feeling with the truth and per-
fectness of mirror. / had thought
of his place in society, of his business
establishments, of his horses and re-a
ally magnificent .turnouts, and wished
that | knew to a dollar what he was
actually worth. I contrasted him
with just one more gentleman of my
acquaintance, and [ came to the con-
clusion, then and there, with my
hand pressed tenderly between his,
that would bring Robert Adair to
my feet; for, although fully realized
the superiority of my present compan-
ion, morally, intellectually and ply
sically, over every other man of my
acquaintance; yet worth was nothing /
then-wealth, position, were all thatI
cared for; and / looked, calmly into
the dispairing mans face, and said,
with forced smile, for [ could not
but be sorry for his great sorrow:
Really, Mr.. Earle, it does seem
incomprehensible tonne that lady
and gentleman can never be warm,
appreciative friends without rushing
pell l-mell into an affair of this sort. 4
As friend have always considered /
you, and beg to be allowed to DO 50
In future !.
The words were smooth enough,
and there was jIst enough Indiffer-
ence visible tOsInake it manifest that
[ meant just what my language indi-
Gated. My hand was carefully laid
aside, and with look so penetrating
that it seemed to burn into my very
soul, he said 1: Fl tFFaAN
God forgive you for this wretched-D y
ness-I never canl And, Miss Ar
mold. if you ever expect mercy here or
hereafter, put aside this power of
fascination and be the noble woman
God intended. have often heard of
your eoquettish conduct, but have in-s
variabiy scorned the ifnputation; bat /
now you have confirmed all, and u
find you heartless and soulless. Good
evening, Miss Arnold may your next
victim not be a fool. E. .7sla.qN .,.
psvH He was gone-without giving ne a.
chance to say one word in extenua-
ton. There was but little that could ]