The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-03-21
A Coquette's Cure.

came W Dc uliuc Ou DcptOuDcI uikut'
two years since, and it was brought
to me by the one man who could explain
it best. She had run cruel, brilliant
course through all the capitals of Europe.
but, in obedience to sentiment of love
for home she returned to this country
with the avcwed intention of teaching
others how 10 become true Americans.
She was twenty-five years of age, aud
possessed wealth that was practically
boundless. She was of family that had
oeen 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 score Of
generations. But she had used these
charms in the work of Satan. To generate
love in the most guarded breast, and to
set on fire the most tranquil nature, was
her especial prerogative, and most wick.
edly did she exercise it. To her captives,
to bo forcwarned was not to be FORE
armed. 1t availed little 10 prince OF po-
ct 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
society looked askance upon her in spite
of her wealth and position, and that, for
once, disapprobation could be rendered
disquieting. She retired to her country.
seat, and surrounded by gallant com.
pany of friends, she caused the belief to
90 abroad that she had at last taken the
true views Of her place and use in the
world, and that she was ready to assume
her share of its burdens The law firm
with which was connected had charge
of her own and her fathers estates, and
therefore had frequent occasion to visit
the household, and | became conversant,
to certain extent, with what took place
beneath the roof.
Arthur Thurman appeared on the scene
in the spring Of the year succeeding that
Of the Wallings' return, and to the utter
CONSERVATION of his friends he yielded at
once to the daughters marks of favor,
conducting himself as her suitor. knew
him, probably, better than any one else
in the world, aud | became the recipient
of his condolences He was a man Of
wealth ard position, and he possessed an
unusually active aud forcible mind lie
was thirty six years of age, handsome, in
capital physical health, and be possessed
an ambition that kept him alert and an
couram with all that was moving in the
world. This ambition was to take part
in politics, sea Of impurity that he was
anxious TO assist in clarifying, and have
no doubt that it was upon this matter
that he and the far.seeing Marion Wal
ling struck their first sympathies.
Thurman, without question, knew of
her arts abroad; and |, believing that
he must have long since given them due
weight in the consideration OF his own
case, did not presume to speak Of them.
| perceived, | thought, that they both
had taken the highest ground, and that
nothing but the conviction that they were
fitted for each other in every sense had
brought about the present state Of affairs.
And that they were fitted for each other,
and singulary so, did not admit of doubt.
Had it been possible to obliterate the
scores upon Miss Walling's record, mar.
riage between the two would have been
hailed with delight by society every
where. The significance Of their relations
grew stronger and stronger as tho sum.
mer passed, and the formal announcement
Of their betrothal was daily expected.
September came, and Thurman was at
.Lahill." | received letters from him
from time to time, mainly upon matters
of business, yet he invested even the dry.
est topics with lightness and gayety
that I, of course, knew well enough how
to interpret. On the evening of the
18th ] sat in my parlor, when Thurman
was announced. He followed the SER
want closely with heavy, quick and
staggering step, and pausing on my
threshold, fixed upon me pair of this
widest eyes that it has ever been my
lot to ses He was as white as chalk,
and his dress, disordered by long car.
riage ride, hung loosely about his person.
I knew at glance what had happened,
and my heart sank like lead. | leaped
up, and seiziDg his hand led him to a
seat He looked at me with painful in.
quiry in his eyes.
# think | understand" said l.
"Thank God You spare me the hui
initiation ofputting it in words! !"
He had been rejected, without reason
or qualification. The woman had refused
him as she would have denied favor ia
an impertinent servant He had implored
neither grace nor explanation, but had
quilted the place within the hour. and
had driven hither at the utmost speed.
What shall l do ?" demanded he, il
the talk Of one drowning in the ocean.
"Talk," said l.
; He obeyed, and may | be forgiven fol
, bringing down upon the hoad of a human
being the rage and bitterness that Thur
man poured out upon Marion Walling
His language appalled, me. did no
attempt to stop it, but, closing all thu
doors and windows, in order that h
might not be heard by other ears thai
- mine, I permitted the mad stream #
l. flow on to ts end. The end did not com
uutii uNc CLOCK, tne neAt morning
y Thurman was a widely.read, widely-trav
g eled, and widely-cultivated man, and ev
=. cry emotion that he felt had a thousan'
!. points of contact with his mind. Thi
# sudden and cruel unseating Of his desires
. desires based upon all that was pure an
manly, awoke a multitude of resentment
t. that l could not comprehend, but whic
= filled me with awe as l witnessed thei
manifestation.
He remained, half secreted, in m
chamber for three days. At tho end {
that time he had begun TO analyze b
/ disappointment, and to resolve it into il
ingredients. He made me one shol
speech that contained this passage q
have searched the world for ten years
n find woman that possessed the talent
y, that God has given to Marion Wallin
Q, When met her there came that divir
o. o. flash Of intelligence that told me th'
nj my search was nj an end The Warmi