The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-09-25
A COQUETTE.

A COQUETTE.
IL cannot marry my cousin" said
Albert to his grandmother. 1T is i'm
possible. know the pain l give you in
making this declaration, but neverthe-
less il you wish Therose and to be
happy you will not insist. You know
Therese, too much Of coquette just
now to be marriageablel She is 20 years
old. | am 20. We can both afford to
wait ="
"Once you have married her she will
reform. "
II fear otherwise. Thereso is CO.
uuette. She will always be coquette.
Marriage will only stimulate her coquet-
fish instinct"
But she is in love with you, and you
are in love with her, are you not? Each
of you has coniided in me. Love will
bring more wisdom to her. "
with love on one side and the de-
sire to flirt on the other" said Albert.
with love and the desire to be well
dressed and to appear fascinating and
bewitching. l think no woman can re-
I sist. "
what have you against her?" insist
/ ed her grandmother.
what have l against her? Caprice!
Love of display Love of fine dresses,
jewelry, adornment. Love of adulation
and flattery, which give me q cold shud-
der down the back.
'You are too jealousp'
"Say rather too reasonable. Now that
I'm a full fledged lawyer l have be-
gun life in earnest. have learned in
my profession to know traits of human
nature that / cannot now mistake.
have learned the secrets of seductions
and betrayals, and there is nothing like
the misfortunes of others to teach one to
be on ones guard. Therefore | will not
marry my cousin. will wait awhile.
Later, when she has been proved, and
when | know that she loves me as
wish to be loved, then l shall make NJ
my mind, but not before.
"What test do you ask for? demand
ed the grandmother.
"That is my secret. Do not ask INT
any more questions.
1t was the eve of a ball where he wa.
to meet Therese that Albert had thi'
conversation with Mime. de Versac.
Therese was an orphan. She LIVED
with her grandmother and was adoreC
by her. She was spoiled by her ant
had her own way in everything. A wisl
was command, and everybody CAV
in to her.
She was decidedly pretty, with super1
coloring, large, speaking eyes, ros.
cheeks and fine features. Her tigur
was that of Greek statue.
She had been ON the watch durinI
the conversation and waited till he
cousin had left. Then she came in t
her grandmother, humming airs iron
- the opera, and spread out on the oil
lady's lap mass of red roses she ha
bought earlier in the afternoon at tn
florists.
You will not refuse me, grandmoth
er?'' she said. "We are to go to hea
That's this week at the opera. TomoI
row, with Leonide, my companion,
am going down to the Boulevard Haus'
mann to try on my new dress. "
you won't forget the ball the da
after tomorrow"
Certainly not. On the contrary,
have been thinking Of it great dea
and have a surprise in store for you.
shall look so pretty that you will nc
recognize your little Therese
Some new little coquetry?"
Exactly Some new little coquetry,
replied Therese lightly, land why moi
1t belongs to my age, in keeping wit
my position, and almost part of IN
education. Am to have only one dress
only one way of doing my hair, onl
one sort of jowelry to wear? VIVA
would you think of me if l were Xix
that?"
"Ohl / always make excuses for you
| am on your side. But-but how abou
others, for there are others? How abou
Albert, for instance!'
albert? He loves me. He shout
think all do good and beautiful. "
Are you sure of that?"
"Why should he blame flirt? 1t
not for me to make sacrifices for hin
He is paying court to me, and payin
court to girl involves letting her hay
. her own way in all things He play
his part. play mine. l am fiirt al
shall always remain one. But wait ii
the day after tomorrow and see if yo
are not proud of me!'
"Be careful" returned the CRANE
mother; "this coquetry will ruin you.
On the day of the ball just at tt
hour when the festivities were to begi
young girl in a lovely white dress al
with golden hair walked with Leonit
into the grandmother room.
A mass of roses nodded their heat
gracefully at her waist, and the whit
ness of her matchless shoulders was
pure that it almost reflected the goldt
simmer of her hair.
The young face was all smiles al
happiness and the light of frivolity al
ooquetry flashed from the large, veil'
eyes.
Nine. de Versac, lost in amazemen
advanced to greet her pretty visitor wi
All amiable smile on her lips, when sh
suddenly recognized Therese.
"Graciousi Is it your she CRIED
"You have changed yourself complet,
ly. Your hair has been dyed from dar
to goidl Are You going to the ball
that metamorphosis?'
'Assuredly | am. | think loo
charming. You shall see what suoce,
l shall makep'
but suppose you do not, suggeste
her grandmother.
-"What difference would it make?
wanted to satisfy my within. Besides ii
color Of my hair was little faded,
thought, and in this golden tint thei
is suggestion of gayety which pleas
me immensely"
Mime. de Versac only kept on shal
ing her head slowly.
Take care, take care, my child, " 81
repeated.
Albert waited for Therese and h
grandmother at the threshold Of IL
ballroom. He was in hope that aft
talking with the old lady There
would appear dressed with simplicit
and taste, without the brilliance
considered vulgar, and triumphant sin
ply in her youth and loneliness.
, But when he caught sight of h
leaning on his grandmother arm, vii
< her hair dyed, and in rich, show
toilet that would have been more sui
able for a wealthy young married woI