Ellsworth American., 1875-09-09
stItfteo storn.
A Coquette's Cure.
From Appleton's Journal


The knowledge OF the one drowning fol-
ly In the career OF Marion Walling came
10 be mine, on a September night, two
years since, and it was brought TO me by
the one man who could explain it best.
She had run 4 cruel, brilliant course
through all the capitals of Europe, but. ia
obedience to a sentiment Of love for home,
she returned 10 this country with the avow-
ed intention OF teaching others how to be-
come true Americans. She vas % years
of age, and possessed wealth that was
practically boundless. She was of fam-
ly that had been noted for the beauty of
its women, and upon her face and form
there had fallen by selection, one might
say, the finest and purest graces OF half a
score of generations. But she had used
charms Ia the work OF Satan. To gener-
ate love in the most guarded breast, and
To set on fire the most tranquil nature.
was her special prerogative, and most
wickedly did she exercise Il. To her cap
tives, 10 be forewarDed was not TO be fore
armed. II availed little TO prince or poet
TO be advised of her nature. for each fell
at her will. and without the trace Of a
struggle. But she found on her return to
America that this more Independent socie
iy looked askance upon her In spite Of her
Wcaln anu pcsitlOu. uiu tildt. iOT once. us
appreciation could be rendered disqueting
She retired 10 her coDntry-seat, and. sur
rounded by gallant company Of friends,
she caused the belief to go abroad that she
had at last takep the true views of her
place and use in the world, and that she
was ready to assume her share Of its bur
dens. The law-iirm with which l was con.
Rected had charge of her own, and her
fathers estates, and l therefore lad fre-
quent occasion TO visit the household, and
l became conversant, 10 a certain extent
with what took place beneath the roof.
Arthur Thurman appeared on the scene
In the spring of the year succeeding tha,
Of the Walling's return, and TO the utteI
CONSERVATION of his friends he yielded al
once TO the daughters marks of favor. and
conducted himself as her suitor. knew
him, probably, better than any one else il
| the world, and became the recipient o
| his condolences. He WIS man Of wealtl
and position. and he possessed an unusu
ally active and forcible mind. He wa
thirty-six years of age, handsome. in capi
| tai physical health, and he possed an am
bition that kept him alert and au couran
with all that was moving in the world
This ambition was to take part in politics
sea of impurity that he was anxious I,
assist in clarifying. and l have no doub
that i. was upon this matter that he ant
the far-seeing Marion Walling struck thei
first sympathies.
Thurman. without question, knew Of he
arts abroad; and l.. believing that he mus
have long since given them due weight Il
| the consideration Of his own case. did no
presume to speak OF them. perceived,
thought. that they both had taken tn
highest ground, and that nothing but tn
conviction that they were fitted for each i
every sense had brought about the presen
state Of affairs. And that they were fitte
tor each other, and singularly so, did nc
admit of doubt. Had it been possible (
obiterate the scores ubon Miss Walling
record. marriage between the two woul
have been hailed with delight By societ
everywhere. The significance of their RI
lstion grew stronger and stronger as tn
summer passed, and the formal announc,
meut Of the betrOthal was daily expected
September came. and Thurman was
''Lahill." received letters from him froI
time to time, mainly upon matters Of bus
ness, yet he invested even the driest topic
with q lightness and gayety that I, ,
course. knew well enough how to inte
pret. On the evening Of the 18th, sat
my parlcr. when Thurman was announce,
He followed the servant closely with
heavy. quick and staggering step. an
pausiDg on my threshold, hxed upon me
pair Of the widest eyes that it has ev'
been my lot to see. He was rs white
chalk. and his dress. disordered by lor
carriage-rde. hung loosely about his pc
son. knew at q glance what had happeI
ed, and my heart sank like lead. / leap.
| up, aud seized bis hand led him to Q ses
| He looked at me with painful inquiry
his eyes. .ssss...... +.
II think understand" said /.