Morris tribune., 1882-07-13
A COQUETTE's VICTIM.

"A idrge ana Splenu1d hall, Lit by gl1St-
saing chandeliers, and ornamented with
all the taste and luxury of artistic skin,
filed with an atmosphere of light and
perfume, haunted by groups of lovely
women and distinguished men, all glori-
fed by that spirit of pleasure andg splen-
dor that one finds in such gatherings.
Through the long parlors, hung with
gorgeous draperies, and rare paintings,
beneath the fretted ceilings of blue and
silver, crimson and gold, foated the
forms Of the proudess and fairest, clad in
fimy robes Of white. or rich, rustling
brocsdes, chatting, flirting and dancing
in,thesvague tremulous glitter ofthe light
that made the place one blazesof en-
chantnent
Soft, dreamy music swelled on the air.
itsrhythm marked by the light step of
dancers, yet subdued aud rendered in
distinct by the constant hum of sweet
voices everywhere. Couples passed to
and FRO, or fingered about the doorways,
talking oflove, of fpleasure and of the
scene before them.
-Staid diplomats and rulers sat at the
card tables playing dignifed whist with
stately matrons-the bellies of past gen.
GRAFTON. Others in an adjoining saloon
discussed amagMfcent collation..
rhe farthest Of these parlors opened
into large conservatory, where long
and graceful aIplants tfailed downward
from their mossy baskets, and the dark
green leaves of the lemon trees exhaled
a grateful aroma. Strange tropical plants,
with broad variegated leaves, grew rank
and hbrous In marble vases along the
balustrade; heavy vines clambered up
their trelises. with pendant bells of
azure, gold or crimson showing bright
amid the feathery foliage. A soft light,
dim and roseate, fell upon these leafy
treasures fram ground glass globes of a
faint pink hue, scattered here and
there among the evergreens.
No place could have been more fitting
and appropriate to the pursuit of the
divine social Observation-Disclosures
this same conservatory. In cozy alcoves,
where the orange and magnolia trees
were embowered by the tracery of the
ivy vine, were placed rustic seats Of curl
ously joined branches aud here, In the
heavy fragrance Of the blossoms, one
might sit with ones partner and whis-
per the enfantillages oflove without fear
Of teproach.
In one of these alcoves-the most Sc
Guided of all-surroHnded by the thick
and odorous LEAKAGE of the trees and
vines, sat Lee Baston and Maggie Lowell.
As usual, she was weaving her web of
fascination-honeying her words, mod
ulatins her exquisite voice, flashing her
brilliant glances from underneath her
long dropping lashes, artlessly toying
with the watch chain or eyeglasses Of
her cavalier, and exerting all those little
Establishments, seeming inzDcent
enough in, themselves, but which
tighten each moment the adamant
fetters of passions slavery about the vic
TINS senses.
Lee Baston-young, talented, wealthy
already celebrated in the political world
was an excellent object for the con.
summate skill of this coquette. More
and more inclined to admire her at each
meeting, he had been insensibly drawn
on from one step to another until this
night, when the dance, the wine, the mu
of all surroundings had somewhat be
wildered him with sweet and voluptu
Gus delirium.
Then the cool retirement of the con
servatory with its shadowy recesses, its
ceasless plashing of falling waters, its ar
omatic and languor-inspiring odors, anG
and its vague reverberations of the fes
tiyities within invited only the dreams
and thoughts of love.
A half hours conversation, hoverir
nearer and nearer to the dangerous top
fc. q silent but doubly eloquent pause,
lew burning, impassioned words OF de
claration, and Maggie LovelPs empt,
triumph was attained. She laughed
low, musical, but metallic laugh. :, :.
My friend" she said, edo not talk il
that strain-I shall faacy you are in ear
nest"
''My Godl in earneStl Do you not be
lieye me, then? Oh, Maggie, Iswear it
love you wholly! l."
There was a husky intonation in hi
voice, and he stopped without fnishin
his sentence.
stNo-I do not know what you mean
I--I-indeed do not understand you
You surely cannot be serious! Yo
Gighten mep
He dropped the delicate, white e-glove
hand he had been holding, and locke
long and earnestly into her eyes.
''Do hear you aright9
eyes; I must 90 now. ] am yery
very sorry you have misunderstood ma
Never refer to this scene again. It hs
been as painful for me as for you"
"And this is the end2"
Eyes. Ipity you. Good night"
''Her purple velvet rtlstled against tt
shrubbery, and Baston was alone.
TPity me! Great heaven, 1 had ratht
she had laughed in my face"
The Conversation Hous of Baden-B
den is one of the peculiar institution;
of,the continent q ere are great bal
as5reading-room, dressing roomse AM
lastly, though most prominent of al
gambling salons of infinite splendo
where millions change hands ever
Year.
Day and night, from the weeks end
the weeks end, sit silent rows of me
and women-rich and poor, young ar
old, gentle and simple the il
fernal but fascinating gaming tables
this strange house. The laborer he's
family lays Down his few coins-tl
fruit, it may be, Of long and weary to-
the prince drops his rouleau of Nap
leans on his fayorite card or color; Il
professional player, with the cold gravi
OF his class, epeculates rapidly but car
fully, and deposits his much or little wi
perfect nonchalance.
AT the end of one of these tables s
Lee Baston4 Everybody knew him
Baden-Baden. For the entire season
had taken that same place at noon al
stolidly won or1ost until or 8 in Il
afternoon of every day Sometimes b
fortune was good, andshe gained enc
nous sums; at other times fate frowne
and his losses were startling.
Ii made not q particle of differen
how his luck ran, however. He saw Il
croupier's shovel pass out shining ca
go, or his rake remove glittering wi
row of louis d 'odors with the same ,
cant expression and apathetic mien. ]
was seeking excitement, poor fello,
but neither the fuctuating changes
roulette and rouge-et-noir, nor the 20
let's of brandy that the walters broiie
him fre..a time To time seemed To satis