The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-28
The CO0UErTE,

That he will have to bear it.
The COQUErTE.
Ada Glenn had been a sad triier in her
time. Her chief pleasure seemed to lie in
.extorting admiration from the other seq.
and then sporting with the feelings she had
awakened. In at least hair q dozen in
stances young men had been encouraged to
pay her attentions for months at a time,
and when, confident of having won her re-
gard, they came forward with serious
offers of marriage, she threw them from
her with indifference that was both morti-
flying and painful
But like most of those who play this
game with the feelings Of others, Ada was
made to taste cup as bitter as any mixed
By her hands for the lips of her victims.
prospects in life were much better than are
usually presented to the eyes Of graduates
in his profession, met Ada one evening.
and was exceedingly pleased with her-and
no less pleased was Ada with the young
physician. A wish to make good i'm
preston, added to her usual habit of put
ting on her best grace when in company
with young men, made Ada more than
usually interesting, and when DR.. Bedford
separated from the bewitching young girl,
he was completely enamored. He took
an early opportunity to call upon her. and
was received in a manner that encouraged
him to repeat his visits.
Never were visits more agreeable to. any
one than we're those of Dr. Bedford to Ada
Glenn. But the old spirit had not died
out, and really fattered as she was by the
young mans attentions, Ada was tempted
to give him specimen of her power and
independence. 4 #a FL
No very long time elapsed ere Dr. Bedford
laid his heart at Ada's feet. With thrill
of pleasure could she have accepted the
proffered gift of love; but to yield at once
seemed like becoming too easy prize, she
therefore affected profound establishment
at the doctors proposal; treated it rather
lightly, and deeply wounded his naturally
sensitive and independent feelings, by too
marked an exhibition of disdain.
Doctor Bedford retired with his mind in
fever of excitement. His admiration of.
and love for Ada, had been of the warmest
character. Judging from her manner, he
felt warranted in believing that the regard
he felt for her was fully recipro coated; and
when he approached her with confession
of what was in his heart, he was prepared
To be repulsed, then coldly, proudly, mad
almost oontemptuously, was to receive q
blow ofthe severest kind, and one, the pain
of which he was not likely soon to forget.
From the dwelling Of Ada, DIR. Bedford
retired to his Office with his mind greatly
excited. There he found young friend,
with whom hetwas intimate, and to whom,
as he could not hide his feelings, he COM
munlcated with conf dence the result of his
interview with Ada. To his surprise, his
friend said: .Eefs53z
81 can hardly pity you, doctor. I saw
you were pleased with that gay fiirt, who is
fascinating enough; but I did not dream
that you were serious in your attentions to
one known everywhere as a heartless CO.
quette."
+ DR.. Bedford looked surprised. care
you in earnest?" he said.
+ In earnest? Certainly Didn't you know
that this was her character?'
II had not the most remote suspicion. y
Strange that it shouldn't have come to
you ears! can point you to three that
she has Tilted within my own knowledge
IF that is her character, " said the doctor,
rallying himself with a strong effort of self
control, and speaking in composed and
resolute voice, Il will at once obliterate her
image from my mind. It is unworthy to
rest there. I did not love Ada. but fair
ideal of womanly virtue that vainly be-
lieved she embodied" +
my friend, beautiful, intelligent and inter-
esting as she is"
''No. She is utterly unworthy. Fortunate
am that she did not accept my offer"
It required, on the part of Ada, a strong
effort to assume toward DR.. Bedford false
exterior, and when he Withdrew from her
presence, composed and dignifed in his
manner, she more than half regretted her
folly. But she forced back this feeling
with gay smile and toss of the head,
saying, half aloud
He'll be here again before week goes
BY"
But Ada was slightly. in error. The
week passed without bringing her lover.
And SO went by two. three and four weeks.
But, vain of her power over the other sex,
Ada still endeayored to maintain a content
ed spirit, though there were times that the
sudden thought that DR.. Bedford would
never again seek to win her favor. made
the blood gather with chill around her
heart, .l l55g FIG
ABOUT this time, friend gave little fan
cy-dress party, and Ada learned, much to
her real delight, that the individual who, Of
all others, had most struck her fancy, was
to be present This was to afford the first
opportunity for meeting, since her half
hauty repulse, the man who offered her, in
all sincerity, a true and loving heart.
An oyerweening vanity made Ada conf
dent of her power over any of the sterner
sex; and she believed that only slight
yielding effort on her part was necessary to-
bring the doctor again to her side.
4 Choosing her costume for the evening,
Ada arraged herself with great care, and in
a style that she believed wonld attract at
tention. The fashion Of her dress was that
of hundred years ago, and the material a
rich old brOcade, in which hergTandmother
had danced the minuet many time in her
younger days. 5Ia +,
Calm in her conscious power, Ada Joined
the gay company at her friends, and her
quick eyes soon made known the fact that
DR.. Bedford was already present. Her
heart beatquicker, and the color on her cheek
grew deeper; but 10 one could read in her
well schooled face q trace Of what was pass
ing in her mind. No long time passed be-
fore the young doctor was thrown near her,
SO near that q sign Of recognition became
necessary. He spoke to hel, but in man
ner that sent a nervous chill to her heart.
Not that he was studiedly polite or cold;
not that he manifested resentment; but ia
his eye, voice, and manner, was q language
she could read, and it told her that to him
eJfax lee