Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-01-09
A COQUETTE'S STORY.

She was still young, and there was
suggestion Of coquetry about her eyes
and mouth when she smiled in the fitful
way that had noticed in the short time
/ had known her. There was an intima-
tion that she had once been brighter of
disposition, although there was sweet
ness and gentleness i'll her manner now
that seemed to amply compen safe for
the listless, faraway air that was ever
about her. After few months of ac-
quaintance that had brought me to the
belief that this creature was one of the
rarest Of Gods creations, learned, by
the merest chance, that the girl had
story--that her disposition had not al
ways been the ideal one that had so
completely captivated me. Once or twice
limited. in the gentlest way possible.
that the story should be told to me, but
the great, brown eyes of the girl filed
with tears, and at once thought of
something else to talk about. Two or
three months afterward, in the midst of
a conversation, the young woman sud-
denly left the channel of our talk and
said:
"You never heard, did you, that /
was once known as the village CO.
quette?'
''Was that your story?'' ! laughed.
"There is nothing funny about it,,
the girl returned seriously. ''It hasn't
been so very long ago-about two years.
r sx,Iy ri, n o<
tier then than am now, and in my
youthful folly / thought that it was my
duty to play with the affections Of all Of
the good fellows who were nice enough
to think that they liked me.
early III my teens the boy Of all the
many Of my acquaintance who was most
devoted to me was young Owen Rand.
He was shy chap who did not boldly
declare for me as others did, but in his
quiet way be was ever at my beck and
call and ever ready to do any little serv-
ice that my caprice might suggest. He
knew the flowers liked best, he knew
the candies that / thought the most
toothsome, and no wet day did fail TO
find my forgotten rubber coverings wait
ing for me when school was over. Some
how | thought only we'll of this fellow.
He never seemed to me as a sweetheart,
and once when he refused to take part
in a game that every one was playing
reproved him just as | would a brother.
1t did not occur to me then; now know
that what said pleased him. 1t indi-
Gated that had an interest in him; that
thought Of him as one whom might
command and reprove as my fancy indi-
Gated. suppose that all girls are alike
in this particular-they never love the
brotherly boys any more than boys love
the sisterly girls. Owen continued his
unvarying kindness throughout our
school days. When we were graduated,
my biggest bouquet came from him. /
was disappointed because he did not
come down with the rest to say that he
was glad or to make some other pretty
speech of congratulation, but the other
boys did this without flowers, and they
made merry at our house and ate all the
good things until there was neither time
nor victuals left. forgot all about my
devoted Owen in the hilarity of that
evening, and when one Of the bold,
handsome young fellows of the crowd
asked me TO 60 to concert with him
the next evening / forgot that there
might be another who would expect the
favor of my company, and the engage
ment was made Owen came to see me
the next day. with more flowers, and
when there were no more good things to
eat, and be murmured his gentle con-
gratulations with such earnestness that
/ almost loved him as we sat there to.
gether alone. He was disappointed when
/ told him that | could not go to the
concert with him, but he did not express
bitterness or denounce any one.
"Some other time then, T" he said in
a way that made me think that he did
not care enough about it, but since then
l have thought that it was only his way.
I won't weary you with the details of
how, month in and month out, he was
unselfshly devoted how he did not join
with the others in their vapid compli-
ments and ostentatious attentions; how
at length he came to me and said goodby
when he went ont to Honolulu on a
venture that he thought would yield
fortune.
Let me hope, be said as / indif-
ferently extended my hand, let me hope
that when come back you will still be
here and still as free as you are now.
"For a moment was silent, and
then with half flippant air / said,
You may hope. After he was gone
felt rather sorry for my conduct in send
ing him away, bat when his letters be-
gan to come saw that had been for
given. 1t was not long before the regu-
lar correspondence became wearying to
me. There was too much Of the element
Of business in it on his side, while /,
hnra at home with all my friends and