The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-07-13
A COQUETTE'S VICTIM.

large and splendid hall, lit by gllSt-
ing chandeliers, and ornamented with
the taste and luxury Of artistic skill,
led with an atmosphere of light and
rfumc, haunted by groups of lovely
'mch and distinguished men, all glori-
dby that spirit of pleasure and splen-
that one finds in such gatherings.
Through the long parlors, hung will,
rgeous draperies, and rare paintings,
meath the fretted ceilings of blue and
YER, crimson and gold, foated the
ms Of the proudest and fairest, clad in
ny robes Of white, or rich, rustling
ocades, chatting, flirting and dancing
the vague tremulous glitter efthc light
1t made the place one blaze of en-
antment.
Soft, dreamy music swellcd on the air.
rhythm marked by the light step OF
ncers, yet subdued and rendered in
'tinct by the constant hum Of sweet
ices everywhere. Couples passed to
d fro, or fingered about the doorways,
king Of love, Of pleasure and of the
sne before them.
-->taid diplomats and rulers sat at the
I'd tables playing dignitied whist with
tely matrons-the bellies Of a past gen.
'tion. Others in an adjoining saloon
;cussed a magnificent collation..
The farthest of these parlors opened
to large conservatory, where long
d graceful airplants trailed downward
I'M their messy baskets, and the dark
zen leaves of the lemon trees exhaled
grateful aroma. Strange tropical plants,
tn broad variegated leaves, grew rank
tibrous in marble vases along the
lustrade; heavy vines clambered up
cir trellises, with pendant bells OF
ire, gold or crimson showing bright
I'D the feathery foliage. A soft light,
II and roseate, fell upon these leafv
assures from ground glass globes of /,
mt pink hue, scattered here and
re among the evergreens.
10 place could have been more fitting
d appropriate to the pursuit of the
line social science hirtation-than
ssame conservatory. In coy alcoves,
lere the orange and magnolia trees
re EMPOWERED by the tracery of the
49, Vile, were placed rustic seats of curl
sly joined branches aud here, in the
avy fragrance Of the blossoms, one
ght sit with ones partner and whis-
r the enfantillages of love without fear
reproach-
II one Of these alcoves-the most Sc
ded of all-surrounded by the thick
l odorous LEAKAGE Of the trees and
les, sat Lee Baston and Maggie Lowell.
usual, she was weaving her web of
misunderstanding her words, mod
ting her exquisite voice, flashing her
liant chances from underneath her
g dropping lashes, artlesslv toying
tn the watch chain or eyeglasses of
cavalier, and exerting all those little
3"gh n hem xsfwans but t0n %icS
hten each moment the adan1ant
ters of passions slavery about the vic
IS senses.
lee Baston-young, talented, wealthy,
eady celebrated in the political world
vas an excellent object for the con-
innate skill Of this coquette. More
more inclined to admire her at each
-'eting, he had been insensibly drawn
from one step to another until this
hit, when the dance, the wine, the mu-
the lights, the gaycty, the brilliancv
all surroundings had somewhat be-
ldcred him with sweet and voluptu-
delirium.
Then the cool retirement Of the con-
'vatory with its shadowy recesses, its
lsless plashing Of falling waters, its ar
,atic and languor-inspiring odors, and
its vague reverberations of the fes-
tiles within invited only the dreams
4 thoughts of love.
half hours conversation, lowering
arer and nearer to the dangerous top
a silent but doubly eloquent pause, a
burning, imprisoned words of de-
ration, and Maggie Lovell's empty
was attained She laughed a
Y, musical, but metallic laugh.
My friend," she said, "do not talk in
It strain-I shall fancy you are in ear
My God! in earnest! DO you not be-
We me, then? Oh, Maggie, Iswear it!
owe YOU wholly! L."
There was husky intOnation in his
ice, and he stopped without finishing
>, sentence.
Mo- do not know what YOU mean.
-I-indeed l do not understand you.
u surely cannot be serious! You
ghten mel"
He dropped the delicate, white-gloved
nd he had been holding, and looked
.,g and earnestly into her eyes.
do hear you aright!"
"Yes; I must 60 now. l am very,
ry sorry you have misunderstood me.
.ver refer to this scene again. 1t has
en- as painful for me az for YOU
"And this is the end::"
Yes. pity you. Good night"
"Her purple velvet rustled against the
rubbery, and Baston was alone.
Pity me! Great heaven, l had rather
e had laughed / in my faee'
The Conversation Hous of Badcn-Ba
IL is one of the ''pcculiar institutions
the continent L ere are great ball
ON, a theater, a restaurant, library
reading-room, dressing-rooms, and
,tly, though most prominent of all
salons of infinite splendor
lere millions change hands every
ar.
Day and night, from the weeks end t.
weaS's end, sit silent rows of me1
d women-rich and poor, young ant
l, gentle and simple-around the in
rnal but fascinating gaming tables O
is strange house. The laborer hest
.ntly lays down his few coins-th'
lit, it may be, of long and weary toll
prince drops his roul eau of Napo
ms on his favorite card or color; tn,
OCCASIONAL player, with the cold gravit.
his class, speculates rapidly but care
lv, and deposits his much or little will
:rfect nonchalance.
At the end of one of these tables sa
-,e Baston. Everybody knew him a
.den-Baden. For the entire season III
d taken that same place at noon, an,
,lidly won or lost until or 6 in tn
;ernoon of every day. Sometimes his
tune was good, and he gained eno1
ous sums; at other times fate frowned
d hiAlosses were startling.
It m8de not a particle of differenc
w his luck ran, however. He saw tht
oupier's shovel pass out a shining Cal
or his rake remove glitiering viii
" of louis 'odors with the same V;
mt expression and apathetic mien. II
IS seeking excitement, poor fellow
It neither the fuctuating changes {
ulette and rouge-et-noir, nor the gol
IS of brandy that the walters brougf
NJ from time to time seemed to satisi
IS craving. Simply, whenever tn
oupier's rake or shovel diminished {