Ellsworth American., 1871-03-30
A Coquette Outwitted.

tapering wrist, while little jeweled fin
gers scintillated and sparkled in the
dazzling gaslight. Gould make you
understand he continued. in low.
earnest tones, how wretched and mis-
~rable my life really is. bereft Of love
and Marie, you would. at least, grant
me kind word occasionally. see
you wear my diamond yet. Tell me,
for conscience sake, whether you do it
out of lingering regard for your old
love, or is it cupidity only" And the
large magnetic eyes looked honestly
into those of his beautiful companion,
who in a seemingly total disregard of
his earnestness, hummed softly little
bravura, and then replied in a distant,
half distracted manner, which was
peculiarly annoying to the sensitive
man.
How often must tell YOU, Herbert,
that love you rs much as ever did !!
You know how we are situated, and
YOU are perfectly well aware that so
long rs you cannot support me in the
/ style To which have always been ac
| custoncd, no engagement must be al
! lowed To exist. Love is all very well
| IN its place, but really it shows very
bad taste TO introduce il at such un-
seasonabie AMI inappropriate occa-
slons. Good evening, Captain Thorne
I isn't this spleLdld gathering? was
| Just femarSlnS To our frIend. Mr..
Maltraver,, that | had not for long
time attended a party SO exquisitely
got ups and the haughty beauty used
hei fan dalntily, turning her lair hand
a little more to the light. while light
| nin5 like corruscitions from diamond
and pearl dazzlcd the eyes of her
| admirers.
immaculate and bcwidering laccs,
together With the rustic of silk, and
| perfume ~ delicate as from Araby the
Blc,t. completed a tout ensemble as per-
! feet ~ it, fashionable aud artistic
HaNe-np a 1t was gracefully becoming
10 IL fan owner.
lnc Captain offered his arm for a
PsomcEaic. and with pleasant bow 10
!irs"est. Marie sailed away, as If per-
icctv unconscious OF the misery she
had just luhlctcd.
Herbert Maltravers had been for the
past two year, AN accepted lo..cr of
Marie Genore's, but for some strange
and lncomprchenslbl reason she had
without the least apology or excuse,
suddenly dismissed him, and when
pressed by the ardent lover for a salts.
| factory solution Of the mystery, re-
plied that her lose remained undimin-
ished, but her family all thought the en-
sascment improper, ~ Mr.. Maltrayers'
pccuniary position would no, allow him
10 support her III the style aud luxury
10 which she had been accustomed.
No argument or cnireaty could make
| Der any more explicit, SO with love
quite a. intent as in the first and
| palmiest days OF courtship, Herbert
followed her to ball, party aud opera,
| a2d used every mean. 10 win back the
attention and tender regard he no loa-
ger possessed.
He couli not be convinced that
Marie Grnorc was rs hollow aud heart
less a the vanest butterfly OF fashion
could possibly be, and vet he knew
that had she loved him As he had
formerly every reason 10 believe, no
| ADVICE or influence could have changed
her.
Why does she still wear the symbol
ot our betrothal If our engagement is
entirely broken ohE he asked himself
Tor the the thousandth time.
Herbert knew that Marie's father,
with all his wealth, was very close and
penurious, especially on the subject Of
| ornaments , and he knew, too, that
| Marlc's most valuable jewels were all
| presents. Common sense whispered
| that 1t was the beauty and costliness
| of the diamond that made it valuable
IN her eyes. and this in u fit OF wretch
| edness and almost insanity. he had
this evening, for the first time, accused
| her Of
Il must have one moment with Marie
and beg pardon for my insulting Ian
| guage. How could | have been 80 un-
manlyE
Marie. cloaked and hooded, her
bright, beautiful eyes having lost none
OF their sparkle from the nights diss-
patton, stool in the hall dispensing
kind good nights to friends and ac-
| quaintances.
| Let me escort YOU to the carriage,
just this time, Marie pleaded the low
er: and laughin. and chatting gaily.
she accepted his arm in matter-of-
tact inanner, and walked slowly out.
What is it, now. Herbert : and the
bcautys tones betrayed both i'll nature
and impatience.
i hope YOU will forgive me Marie,
for the ungentlemanly language l used
this evening. l cannot bear To think
that have offended YOU.
Your manner, Mr.. Maltravers, is
the princip thing have to fluid fault
with. and quite as much on your ewn
account as my own. 1t is not pleasant
To have the cpithets soft and silly ap-
piled TO one who for SO long time has
been a declared suitor for nv hand.
But l have, | declare, quite forgotten
that you said anything this evening
that you need ask pardon for. What
was il Herbert!' And the young lady
met his earnest gaze ferociously, and
with lock of irresistible inquiry.
| How the poor fellow longed to enter
the carriage, as he had done thou
sand times, and draw that queenly
head, wound round with the daintiest
of 'unmussable' wool, on his breast
But times had changed, and this was
no longer his privilege.
1T was about the ring, Marie say
that you forgive me-
'Oh, yes, l remember now, Herbert
but what a strange CIR l am II believe
l never could grieve or be much offend.
ed at anything yea might say and
something Of the cid tenderness seem
ed TO return to the tone and manner