The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-10-20
THE COQJeTTE.
BY MIRoNA WILLARD.


amuse. herself with you for awhile,
and then discard YOU" m
"Perhaps," said Frank, smiling,
"she is coquette; but il she is not
devoid of u heart, she can be made to
love" ,. 81
lyon are no judge of women, or
you would not speak so about Bella
Davis" said his sister "If she pos
sessed a noble heart, she could not
trifie with the affections of men,
Now, dear brother, take the advice of
a sister, and bestow your affections on
one more worthy. Who knows how
many victims she has in Paris, where
she has been spending the last four
yearsm =
Franks face looked troubled. 9th
ers had been led on by Bella Davis
winning ways, and were then east
OFF without reason; and perhaps
the very same fate was in store iof
| him.
Much as | value n sisters love, |
cannot give Bella up until / know her
to be false. ! love and adore her.
from the time first looked upon her
face, i have not, for a moment, ceas-
ed TO think of her, and cannot
no. will not, cease to adore, until
| have sounded the depths of her
/ love"
1t was on beautiful summer even
ing that Frank Savage, with Bella
leaning upon his arm, strollcd down
| to the sea shore.
Bella" said Frank, and he looked
down at the rolling sea, as il TO gath
er words from the restless waves, do
you really love me ~
ooh, Frank! How can you-how
dare you ask such question 2"
Il have reasons" was the cold re.
sponse.
Did / ever give you cause to think
so =
And Bella turned her blue eyes up
to see the effect of her answer.
| The color of his cheeks grew deep
er.
And have you thus trified with my
love ~
No; but thought you under
stood me, Frank. Are you really se-
rious:"
"W ould / ask such question for
mere amusement? No; have wor.
shipped you, but have loved blind
ly."
He turned from her; but she clung
to him, and begged, with fearful eyes,
that he would not leave her.
1t was late when they returned
from their evening walk. and Frank
was happy in the thought of soon
leading Bella to the altar.
1t was soon whispered that Frank
Savage and Bella Davis were betroth-
ed. Those who knew the coquette
best, thought it to be one of her
many fiirtations.
Another month, and Frank Savage
and Isabella Davis would be man and
wife. But, alas for human hopes.
One evening, while Frank was sit.
ting in his room. quietly reading, he
was aroused by a loud rap at the door,
and, without rising, babe the appli-
cant enter. The door opened, and a
stranger entered. From outward ap-
pearances, one would judge him to be
foreigner. The stranger, on enter
ing, bowed, and addressing the occu-
pant Of the room, asked him if his
name was Savage
''It is" was the answer.
Il have another question to ask,
| said the stranger.
Proceed. and 1 will use my own
Judgment as TO answering"
''ls it true that you are soon to wed
Miss Bella Davis -
That is my business, sir; but if it
interests you IN any manner, can
say thatI expect to have that honor. y
The face of the stranger turned to
marble whiteness, and for a moment
he stood motionless. 1t was for a
moment only, however Taking from
his pocket a letter, he gave it to
Frank, remarking, at the same time
that Miss Davis had plighted her
troth to him.
"But if you are man Of honor,
said the stranger, addressing Frank
"you will not hesitate to risk your life
to possess her,"
| The stranger handed Frank his card
and was about to take his leave, wher
Savage said
II am no coward; but it is useles.
to risk, or take life until / have proc
of Bella's unfaithfulness."
| The stranger bowed, and promis
ing to call on the following evening
he took his leave.
Frank went Immediately in search
of Miss Davis. Although the hou
was late, Bella had not retired, ant
he soon found himself alone with her
She greeted him with smile-al
lovers were treated to that luxury
but her smiles soon disappeared whel
he made known the object of his visi
to her.
Bella he said, "when I asked yo
for your hand, did not dream that
was then plighted to rival claimant
But have in my possession a letter
written by you, in which you promis
to wed another"
Had bomb shell burst at her fee
it could not have astonished he
more The color vanished from he
cheeks, and she sank, trembling, int
chair.
"Oh, .Bellan continued Faank,
did not think this of you. / turned
deaf ear to those who chose to tell m
of your falseness. Iloved you fondl,
aud this is my reward Nothing no.
remains to me but to bid you lal
goodbye"
He stopped to imprint upon he