The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-03-06

A MAN, A BOOK
AND A CO0UETTE
BY Angela Morgan.
Copyright, 1903. by W. r. Hearst.)

!: BY Angela Morgan. :
~ )
Copyright, 1908. by w. R. Hearst.)
ct did not like the heroine OF your las
novel;" remarked Miss Carson, with tina
trick she had Of swiftly raising her low
cred eyes. 4
Miss Carson's eyes were large, limpit
and long dashed. AS a rule, men grew
visibly confused when confronted by theil
full glory.
Put willis Grant showed no change OF
deed! What trait did you particularly dis.
like?"
Miss Carson's eyes went down again
She traced meaningless figures in the sand
with the point of a pretty parasol as she
answered him..
~womanhood, She was heartless, vain-a
mere coquette."
Most men, under the circumstances
would nave fiattered her by an observa-
ton such as: "Coquette! You can say
this, Miss Carson! You who are most
heartless of ALL"
But Willis Grant, the i~mmovabie, the
invulnerable, understood better. He knew
that above all things it pleases q coquette
to be recognized as such. The title i'm
plies at the outset a superabundance Of
attractions and suggests always a string
of scalps at the fair ones belt.
He did not intend thus to flatter the
young woman at his side, and his answer
was provokingly contrary TO her expecta-
tons.
were created perfect. Now we depict them
us flesh and blood realities. with all their
faults and follies.'
And you expect such characters to be
admired?"
The large eyes flashed upon him again.
Here was his chance for a beautiful COM
pliment, If he would only take it. His
glance was hatefuily impersonal.
THAT is not the point. 1t Is the busi-
ness of an author to deliberate truly,
whether the character be admirable or
Miss Carson gasped a little and then
turned her head to indulge in a pout.
Why need he be so detestably bafffng?"
1t was rare, indeed, that circumstance
afforded her such an opportunity to con-
verse with Grant. He was always busy.
something FAR more important than fir
tations with the pretty maidens Of this
charming beach resort coupled his time
and attention. He was writing a new
book. He was seldom to be found at
leisure
Lena Carson had grasped this golden OBJ
portunity intending to make the most OF
It. And was this the most? Truly he
was a puzzle: Perhaps he was too self
centered to observe the charms Of other
individuals, even when the latter hap
pened to be attractive member Of the
opposite sex. So Lena decided.
Something happened on the following
DAY, hoWever, which caused her to change
her mind The sight of Grant stroliing
on the beach with a tall young woman in
perhaps, SO startling as the fact that his
bent head and eager eyes betrayed an in
terest which she had supposed him In
capable of manifesting.
Thu next day witnessed a repetition of
the stroll, supplemented by a boat ride.
This time the young woTnan's mother ac-
companied the pair.
Lena, watching from the piazza, felt her
heart contract as with pain. So he could
neglect that precious novel on occasion!
ea The sI pain grew into a settled ache as
creasing devotion to the newcomer.
The young people marked Lena's grow
ing indifference to the pleasures OF the
seemed to have lost their charm for her.
FORMER ADMIRERS bored and wearied her
beyond endurance, she took no more de.
women and the admiration Of men.
pleading any excuse: In long, lonely
cry, her suffering. In four days time II
seemed to her that she had endured a year
of slow torture.
It was a new experience for Miss Car.
son. The strength of strange and sweep<
ing emotions frightened her. She had not
known her own nature.
q Sfd4hllS lalG oHS adth, gray AFTERNOON.
along a gradually narrowing stretch OF
sand, she had e sense of fierce exultation,
even IN misery, toSnote that the elements
Masses OF gray clouds were swallowing
the dull red sunset. A stiff breeze was
blowing and rising I've washed heavily
against the shore.
Lena's delicately shod feet were wet.
her thin draperies caught the spray and
chung bedraggled against her. But she
gave no heed. A reckless disregard Of
prn rfJr11 thtnpS nncSaCca1 .hor WI. E
She walked On and on. Did every ore
who loved unhappily feel as she did :? Was
1t possible that other human beings-thou-
sands Of them-suffered as She was surfer
ing2
And she had played with hearts. Played.
with then en- as toys. She lad not even
The realization struck her as lightning
mans voice soupsaA sailing her from
sonl'
AS she looked. the vision of him seemed
almost an unreality. 1t was Willis Grant,
her side. why don't you t~urnsbacR?" nd
is conling2"
Why are you here?' she asked. me-
Il was watching you from the hotel,
Do you know that you are wet now and
Miss CARSON I can't understand.n u
She let him help her UP the bank. They
back toward the hotel on the
.''You are not like yourself he said,
abruptly. You have been evading your
friends for the last four days. I wanted
you to meet my aunt and cousin.
'Your-aunt and cousins"
She could only repeat his words, sun
mechanically.
Eyes, but I haven't been able to find
you. Where have you been keeping your
self? It was not fair to deprive people OF
your society"
Z didn't suppose 'people'-eared."
They may have tried not to care he
said and looked her fully in. the eyes.
Sometimes he pursued, ''people try to
certain influences. and-fail."
The rain came in a rushing torrent,
Grant stripped off his coat at once and |
put 1t about her shoulders.
They were a forlorn looking couple
when they reached the hotel. but appear
ances are often .deceiEtng.
Up in her room Miss Carson faced her
reflection in the mirror and |
tpfa hny> NvS, . -, ~ hrs =, r,1 1.,a- 1