The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-05-20
The Coquette's Punishment,

$50 Julia Nottingham is engaged
at last" said Mrs Whitley. "Well
I'm sure I'm very glad to hear it,"
| But she spoke in a tone which be
lied her words. For, somehow, JUL;
Nottingham was not popular anon!
the ladies Of her acquaintance.
80, yes, said Mrs. Sibthorpe, will
sagacious nod of the head. II have
it from the very best authority--Lel
own unit"
"Indeed said Mrs. Mrs. Sibthorpe
"Fifty years old, and bald
"O!' said Mrs Whitley. "There'E
no fool like an old fool.
"Kecps his own carriage and hors'
es, and has bought an elegant coun.
try seat"
"Julia will queen it now" said Mrs
Whiteley, almost obviously.
Mrs Whiteley, be it understood,
was widow not quite past the boun.
DIARIES of youth, aud not at all avcrse
t"a second marriage with some eligi.
ble part.
"And how about Clarence Egerton p
30, she's thrown him over, of
COURSE" said Mrs. Sibtl,orpc. THAT
was nothing but a Irritation"
"Some people have all the luck,'
sighed Mrs. Whitelay.
And while her good fortune was
the subject If popular gossip, Miss
Nottingham herself sat in her own
room at home, complacently survey
ing the solitaire pearls embedded in
blue vervet, and the magnificent dead
gold bracelets, which had just arrived
with Mr.. Philpotts' card attached.
GLOW superb !" said Mrs. Noting.
ham, a brisk little woman, with gray
curls and a suspiciously uncl'angiug
bloom on eacl, cheek.
20, yes" said Julia, indifferently.
"But | wish his name was anything
but Philpotts."
"Shakspeare says, what's in Il
name 'archly rejoined the mother.
Every likely ," said Miss Noting.
ham, with toss Of tic head +; but
you sec Shakespeare wasn't a young
lady just about to be married.V
Aud she thought reg,etfully, not
withstanding her Gallons coquette
heart Of poor Clarence Eserton, who
had magnificent curls and q profile
like Adonis.
But she went smilingly down to
meet her mildle-aged tiancee that at.
ternOOn.
"My own Julia said Mr.. Philpotts,
beamin8ly.
"Dear Hiram !" sweetly responded
Julia, with a little swallow of the IN.
romantic Christian name in her throat.
~ have brought you q bouquet for
Mrs. Poddington's reception toni gut"
said Mr.. PhiIpotts, producing a mira
Gle Of the florist art, wrapped in as
many silver papers as mummy.
"How kind Of you, love-" said Miss
Nottingham.
II will call for you in the carriage
ut 8 precisely" added Philpotts.
"pm sure it's very considerable,
DEAR" smiled Julia.
"And here" bringing out Of his
pocket a heavy gold necklace, from
which hung a diamOnd-set locket,
lis triff1o which l hope YOU will
obligeme by wearing Tonight"
Julia's eyes sparkled. She was a
miser at heart, aud gold and diamonds
were very beautiful in her eyes. 1t
was worth while, she reflected to
marry man old enough to be her
father, for the sake Of treasures such
as these.
But when the carriage came that
evening TO convey her to Mrs. Pod
dington's ball it was empty, and the
servant handed her note from Mr..
Philpotts. He had an attack Of his
old enemy, the rheumatism, he wrote,
and found himself most reluctantly
compelled to remain at home.
"AN the better" said Miss Julia to
herself, with last glance at the mir
ror before she wrapped the white
cashmere opera cloak about her
shoulders, aud tripped lightly down
stairs. ~ can have charming time
with poor, dear Clarence, who is
never at q loss for something to say,
and waltses beautifully"
Miss nottingham was not displeased
with her own appearance, in silver
green silk, half-bidden by snowy
tulle, and set Of enleralds, which
had been Mr.. Philpotts' gift.
EYES," said she, Will, a compacent
little nod, as her mother compliment.
ed her on her becoming dress, ''it's
all we'll enough. But just wait until
come ont iD black velvet aud dia.
monds a. q lnatron."
Miss Nottingham enjoyed herself
! that evening. She waltzed to hel
hearts content, firted enough fol
three, and finally disappeared in The