The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-11-12
A C0QUETTE'S HEART.

w men tCOrWe w lHlcI lell uclplcS9J III
love with Belle Gray, his friends shook
their heads and assured each other that
nothing but trouble would come of it.
Belle was tho most arrant coquette in
town, who had trifled with a dozen adj
,nirers and did not seem capahlcrH re-
mtininr steadfast ~ any one il more
than low months.
Those who knew how earnest George
Winter was in everything feared for the
end when he was left in the lurch, as
the rest had been, and made aware of
his folly.
A pretty cousin one day suggested to
him that since he would not believe any
of the stories current about Miss Gray
that he should put her affection to the
test After some hesitation he agreed to
the following plan:
lie was to pretend that he had lost all
his money and in her answer he would
know whether she was sincere or really
mercenary.
They were out rowing on the lake one
day together when he thought of putting
her TO the test
Belle Gray was in pleasant and joyous
mood, but she could not help observing
the pensive bearing of her companion.
She asked him what was the matter.
ooh, nothingp' and piled his oars in
silence:
When they went out on the bosom of
the lake he rested and uttered a sigh.
George" she said, there is some
thing the matter. Tell me what it is. "
George was silent moment.
Wont you contide in me?" she
asked.
Yes, Belle" he replied, while his
voice trembled with real emotion, lit is
perhaps to you / should first commune
cate my misfortune"
'AIsfortuncl" she echoed
eyes. Not that care so much for the
misfortune, but the consequences it must
entail-the loss of YOU"
The moon was shining on her beauti-
full face, aud George could not fail to see
that it turned very pale.
Belle, continued George, with much
emotion, Il have just received sad news
from the city. | have been possessed of
q considerable amount of wealth, left me
by my father, and for some time | have
left it all in the hands of legal friend
of mine in the city. He has been unfor-
tunate in investing it, has lost it all, has
failed himself, and this night am not
worth dollar-I am beggar."
But, George. you"
She was very pale, and her voice
failed her.
"Of course" George continued, 81
could not think Of dragging you down to
poverty with me. l had hoped, as
things were, that there would be no OBJ
stacle to our happiness; that we might go
through life so joyfully together; never
to be separated ON this side of the grave;
but now"
'And are you really so poor as you
say? =" she asked, in strange voice.
Yes, yes; L could not be poorer"
"But may your fortune not be saved
yet, or some portion of it ?"
"There is not the slightest hope he
replied, gloomily.
"And yoti naturally Think. she went
on with strange calmness, that it would
be best for us to forget our pledges and
pursue our ways separatclyT
"Yes-for your sake, he replied; then
mentally added: ooh, heaven, it is truel
She is ready to give me up!"
"And you are not worth dollar?'
she again asked with singular tone and
manner.
"Not adollarp
Her plump arms were about his neck
in moment, and she actually kissed
him-not merely once, but five or six
times, and then number of times after
that, which could not conveniently have
been counted.
George Winter" she whispered,
could you think me so lost to principle
Us to be ready to renounce you in your
adversely? You do not know what 9
true woman's heart is would not part
with you for the world now. | ar
heartily glad you are poor. / have
enough for both, and all that / have shall
be yours forever more | have read
your heart correctly this night, and
know you are neither an unprinciplet
adventurer nor shallow fop, such as
have spurned in times past. l have
been termed an unfeeling coquette, bu
God knows never yet brought pain t.
one whom | believed to be honest ant
upright in heart. If YOU love me-and
know you have not lightly told me So
never think Of your lost fortune again.
And two months later Belle Gray, tn,
coquette, married the man whom sh,
still believed to be penniless, and no
long afterward he confessed his innocen
tratagem-taking care to blame it all Of
his pretty cousin.
"If / had known that"-she began
but stopped and kissed him.
They have been married ten years now
and she is the best wife livlng--he says
A Glimpse of Vanderbilt.
The ordinary eye expands and the averag
laat H..