Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-01
CURING A COQUETTE.
RHoDA WINTERS MISTAKE AND HOW II
WAS SET RIGHT.

She was a little thing. possessing a
slender but exquisitely shaped form,
with dark hair, banded back in massive
shining braids from a classically outlined
face, and sloe black eyes that were
usually luminous with mischievous
mirth But, ahi how / loved her, and
how many heartaches / endured from
her love of coquetryi Verify, believe
the spirit of mischief reigns supreme in
ietty eyes and midnight tresses.
met her first at the house of a mu-
tual friend, where we were both visiting;
but we were not the only guests, for the
house was filled almost to overfowing
with merry company, who made the
spacious old mansion ring again with
their gay laughter and witty repartee.
Rhoda Winter, the bewitching little
lady whom have attempted to describe,
was in no wise behind hand in contribut-
ing her share toward the general amuse-
ment; and when the shouts of laughter
were the merriest and the applause the
loudest, it was generally called forth by
some sly drollery or apropos retort OF
hers.
In front of the house spread broad
lawn, dotted, here and there, by mound
of brilliant hued flowers or rustic urns
filed with emerald MOSES. And here
was the croquet ground-I shudder, even
now, at the names-and here, for hours,
daily was chained, together with my
helpless brothers in misfortune, while
the young ladies amused themselves by
driving the balls about in the most heart
less manner.
Rhoda, as if TO aggravate me. invari-
ably ranged herself on the side of my
opponents, and appeared to take mali
cious pleasure in my evident annoyance
thereat; and after an unusually vicious
stroke, which would send my unlucky
sphere flying to the furthermost ex-
tremity of the ground. she would watch
me with merry twinkle in her eyes, as,
under the scorching sun, ! industriously
sped after it and replaced It within the
limits, though often, / must acknowl-
edge, with flushed face and an ire
pressible feeling of irritation. Her side
invariably won the game, for she was
good player, and perfectly at her ease;
while /, though usually considered q fine
player also, could never make a respecta-
Bile stroke with her dark eyes bent upon
me, rendering me nervous to the last
degree; and then, when she had tri-
umphed, she would assume bewitching
air of regret and penitence, and make
herself SO agreeable that could not help
forgiving the girl, and finding myself
more hopelessly in love than ever
But it was not only in the game OF
croquet that she delighted to tantalize
me.
No; il was always SO. Did we go for
ride, she would contrive that it should
fall to my lot 30 escort some other lady
short distance behind her, that might
the better witness and appreciate her
f1irtations with her attendant cavalier,
while occasionally she would dart an
arch glance back at me, as il to say,
You see am not quite caught Jet, sir 2"
And if we made up party to go on
the water, and by chance was so for
tunate as TO secure her as q companion,
she would lean listlessly and silently
back in one end of the boat, and dipping
her white hand in the translucent water,
watch me furtively from beneath her
dusky eyelashes: but to all my attempts
at conversation reply in discouraging
monosylIable&
But Notwithstanding her strange, al
most unaccountable behavior there were
times when she greeted my approach
with smiles, and was 30 affable and
charming that knew il was no personal
dislike 10 myself which influenced her,
but only an inordinate love OF mischief
and coquetry.
However. matters could not continue
In this way forever; for. what with her
numberless airtations and caprices, Twas
becoming desperate. So. loving her Is