Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-01-25
ACOQUETTE'S STORY.

suggestion of coquetry about her eyes
and mouth when she smiled in the iitful
way that had noticed in the short
time | had known her. There was an
intimation that she had once been
brighter OF disposition, although there
was Il sweetness and gentleness in her
manner now that seemed to amply com.
pensate for the liStless, iaraway air
that was ever about her After few
months Of acquaintance 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 Il story-that
her disposition had not always been
the ideal one that had so completely
captivated me. Once or twice | hinted
in the gentlest way lossible, that the
story should be told to me, but the
great, brown eyes of the girl filled
with tears. and I at once thought OF
something else to talk about. Two or
three months afterward, in the midst
of conversation, the young woman
suddenly left the channel of our talk
and said:
"lou never heard, did you, that |
was once known rs the village co
quctte p
"Was that your story laughed.
| There is nothing funny about it,
the girl returned seriously 1T hasn't
been so very long ago-ahout two
years. | think-that II changed.
| was prettier 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 in my teens the hoy OF all
the many OF my acquaintance who was
most devoted to me was youag Owen
Rand. He was a shy chap who did
not boldly declare for me as others
did, but in his quiet way he was ever
at my beck and call and ever ready To
do any little service that my caprice
might suggest lie 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 waiting for me when
school was over. Somehow | thought
only well of this fellow He never
seemed TO me n sweetheart, and
once when he refused to take part in Il
game that every one was playing,
reproved him Just as would brother.
1t did not occur to me then; now |
know that what | said pleased him.
1t indicated that had an interest in
him; that thought OF him as one
whom | might command and reprove
as my fancy indicated. | suppose that
all girls are alike in this particular
they never love the brotherly boy.
any more than boys love the sisterly
girls. Owen continued his unvarying
kindness throughout our school DAYS
When we were graduated. my biggest
bonquet came from him. was diSap
pointed 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 boy.
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 ali
about nv devoted Owen in the hilarity
Of that evening, and when one OF the
bold, handsome young fellows of the
crowd asked me to 90 TO Il concert
with him the next evening forgot
that there might be another who
would expect the favor of my company
and the engagement was made. Over
came to see me the next day, witt
more flowers, and when there were II,
more good things to eat and he muir
INJURED his gentle congratulations witt
such carnestness that almost lovet
him rs we sat there together alone
lie was disappointed when told hin
that | could not 20 to the concert
with him, but he did not express bit
terncSs or denounce anv one
Some other time then" he said il
a way that made me think that he Iii,
not care enough about it, but sine,
then have thought that il was only
his way. | won't weary YOU with tht
details of how, month in and montl
out, he was unSelfishlv devoted how
he did not join with the others in thei
vard compliments and ostentatiou,
attentions how at length he came Il
me and sald goodby when he went on
10 Honolulu on IA venture that h
, thought would yield fortune.
, LET me hope, he said a. indit
} ferently extended my hand, let m
hope that when | come back you vii
still he here and still rs free rs yol
are now.
For moment was silent, am
then with half fliprant air | said
'You may hope After he was gon