The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-05-21
THE COQUETT.E,,
A TALE OF WOMAN S INFLUENCE.

have been seen seated among a nun.
Der OF young lads who were being ex.
amined previous to their entering the
Freshmen Class OF one Of the New
England colleges. There were those
more handsome among the crowd
than George Liveston; but there were
few whose bright eyes and intelligent
conntenances bespoke more Of true
genius than his. After the severe ordeal
of an examination had been passed
there were none that had acquitted
themselves with so much honor as ht
Many were the college tricks and
riots; but never was he to be found
among the number OF those engaged
in them. His was nobler aim for a
more enduring happiness. .
The city Of Providence is noted for
the kindness and beauty OF the fair
sex; and what student of Browns
University has not felt their influence?
And in the lone hour of night, burning
the midnight oil, toiling away at his
lessons, the image OF some loved one
has come to his mind, and with new
zeal has he labored on at the difficult
task which he was tempted to throw
aside, declaring that for her he would
win high honors, and inscribe his
name upon the topmost niche of the
Temple of Fame.
George Liveston, like the rest of his
| tellow-students, had become fascinat-
ed by Clara Beardsley, with all the
enthusiasm and devotion of youth
who never before had felt Cupii's in
f1uence. We will not attempt to des-
cribe her; sufficient be it to say that
she was handsome, and of that age,
"sweet SIXTEEN" which is the most
captivating to the youthful lover.
Often did he picture in his mind
Clara and himself dwelling together in
happiness and prosperity, when he
should stand first and foremost in his
professionalism of medicine. Little
dreaming that the golden cord of
friendship, love and fidelity could be
severed; little knowing that he was
worshipping a heartless coquette,
whose words OF love and fidelity to
him might seem fair, but which were
breathed with equal passion and de-.
votion to many others.
Many were the times he had been
entreated by his fellow-studenes to en-
gage with them in some college de-
bauchery; but as often had her image
| come to his mind, and he had resovled
to do no deed which should cause her
to blush for him. With these resolu-
tions, and standing first in his class,
he entered upon his first junior year.
At the same time there was an ad-
dltion madeto the college in the shape
OF youth, who had been dismissed
by the Faculty OF a neighboring COL
lege, and now sought to enroll his
name at Browns. He little cared for
the Faculty, college-laws, or books:
his delight seemed to be in being the
ringleader in every college scrap; while
at the same time he loved a harmless
Irritation, and boosted that he had
never seen a young lady that could
fascinate him.
Strange as it may seem, George Liv-
eston and he became bosom friends,
although they seemed exactly the op-
posite by nature; the one quiet and
sedate, the other lively, even to rude
ness; one a studious youth the other
totally Indifferent to study; one
Stunned the wine-cup as though it
were viper, the other delighted to
quaff the poisonous liquor. Seldom
does it fall to human lot to behold
two beings so different by nature so
firm in each others friendship and es-
TEEN as were George Liveston and
Harry Percival.
One evening" in company with fell
low-student, as Harry Percival was
promenading the street, hemet George
Liveston with some ladies, Clara
Beardsley among the number.
"Why, who is that new student,
George?" exclaimed Clara.
"Harry Percival-one of the best
fellows at college. He has the reputa-
ton OF being one Of the greatest flirts,
and he is"
"Please stop your description of all
his wonderful qualities-go and bring
him here. Seeing is believing. I am
dying for an introduction to him."
With this request from Clara
George FASTENED to overtakeh his friend
actuated by two motives; one, to
please Clara, for every word Of hers
was to him law; and, on the other
hand, he was anxious to show to his
friend the being he had often describ-
ed to him as the one that, in his own
estimation, it was but necessary "to
see to love, and, loving, to adore"
"Harry, those young ladies I have
just left are exceedingly anxious to
form your acquaintance" ..~. .
"Not this evening, George; there are
too many ladies there for one so
young and diffident as myself, but, if
you desire it, I will accompany you to
see your friend tomorrow evening,
providing she will be alone" '. -
Bearing this message, George return
ed to his friends. Disappointed as
they were, they were not discouraged.
'Tll tell you, girls, what we will do"
said Clara. Tomorrow evening he
intends to call andsee me; you all come,
too, and we will take him by sur
prise" - ~, -
Eyes, and you will capture him"
said Fanny Johnson:
of don't it won't be my fault, Just
/ for hic irn,,,,Io III, ,,"f 7