Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-03-05

!. A MAN, A BOOK
AND A COQUETTE
Copyright. 1903. by w. r. Hears,.a
BY Angela Morgan.


+t*+*+*%<++ ++<* ***<<*++<~
II did not like the heroine of your art
novel," remarked Miss Carson, with ,hui
trick she had of swiftly raising her low
cred eyes.
Miss Carson's eyes were large, l;r,ptd
and long dashed AS a RUE, men grew
visibly confused when confronted by tslt.li
full g!cry.
But Willis Grant showed no change OF
coulsenance as he replied carelessly: y,
deed! What trait did you particularly d:s-
like?"
Miss Carson's eyes went down ayaia.
She traced meaningless figures in the sand
with the point of pretty parasoi as st.a
answered him.
II did not care for the girl as type Of
wolnanhood She was heartless, YAM u
mere coquette."
Most men, under the circumstance
would have flattered het by an obsers..-
ton such as: "Coquet.e. You can say
this, Miss Carson! You who are most
heartless of all!''
But Willis Grant, the immovabic, the
invulnerable, understood better. He knew
that above all things it pleases a coQuette
to be recognized as SUCH The title I'M.
plies at the outset superabundance Of
attractions and suggests always string
of scalpa 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-
lions.
were created perfect. Now we depict then:
as flesh and blood realities. with all their
faults and follies.'
And you expect such characters to be
adlnired?
The large eyes flashed upon him again.
Here was his chance for beautiful COM
glance was hatefully tmpersonal.
That is not. the point. 1t Is the BUSH
ness of an author to deliberate truly.
not"
Miss Carson gasped little and then
turned t,l her head to indulge In pout;
t was rare, indeed, that circumstance
afforded her such an opportunity to con.
verse with Grant. He was always busy.
tations with the pretty maidens Of thts
charming beach resort occupied his time
and attention He was writing new
Lena Carson had grasped this golden OPP.
portunity intending TO make the most OF
was puzzle. Perhaps he was too self
conferred to observe the charms of other
individuals, even when the latter hap
opposite sex. So Lena s de ead.i1 '"'
Something happened on the following
day, however, which caused her to change
u.
on the beach with a tall young woman in
gray-an arrival of yesterday-was not,
perhaps so startling as the fact that his
bent head and eager eyes betrayed an I'M
capable of manifestng.
The next day witnessed repetition Of
the stroll, supplemented by boat ride.
This time the young womans mother ac-
companied the pair.
Lena, watching from the piazza, felt her
m .fn
The pain grew into a settled ache III
each succeeding day showed Grants i'm
crsahsing devotion son,s to the
ing indifference to the pleasures of tho
beach. Boating, bathing, dancins-,all
Former admirers be bored sI and e wearied her
beyond endurance. She took no more de.
light in arraying herself for the envy Of
She. shut herself away from others.
pleading any excuse, In long. lonely
walks on the beach she nursed her mis-.
seemed to her that she had endured a year
Of slow torture.
1t was a new experience for Miss Car
Ing emotions frightened her. She had not
known her own nature.
Walking late one dark. gray afternoon
along a gradually narrowing stretch Of
sand, she had sense OF fierce exultation,
even in misery. to note that the elements
were in sympathy with her mood.
che dull red sunset. A stiff breeze was
blowing and rising waves washed heavily
against the shore.
her thin draperies caught the spray and
chung bedraggled against her. But she
gave no heed. A reckless disregard Of
practical things possessed her
She walked on and on. Did every one
who loved unhappily feel as she did? Was
1t possible that other human beings-thou-
sands of them-suffered as she was suffer.
"a And she had played with hearts! Played,
with them as toys: She. had not even
cared! She had laughed-laughed!
strikes. The flash almost blinded her.
A mans voice sounded, calling her from
'the bank above. Miss Carson! Miss Car
AS she looked, the vision of him seemed
almost an unreality. It was Willis Grant
her side. why don't you turn back?" he
demanded. Cant you see that storm
is coming?"
why, are you here?" she asked me-
II was watching you from the hotel.
Do you know that you are wet now and
shivering? What were you thinking Of.
She let him help her up the bank. They
walked back toward the hotel on the
higher level, breasting now furious
.'You are not like yourself" he said.
abruptly. You have been evading your
friends for the last four days. l wanted
you to meet my aunt and cousin.
They"
tYour-aunt and cousln?'
she could only repeat his words, still
mechanically.
Eyes, but haven't beer. able to find
you. Where have you been keeping your.
self? 1t was, not fair to deprive people Of
your society,""
y didn't suppose 'people-cared.
said and looked her fully. in the eyes.
Sometimes" he pursued people try 10
resist certain influences andIfail
The rain came In rushing torrent:
Grant stripped off his coat at once and
put 1t about her shoulders.
They were forlorn looking couple
when they reached the hotel. but appear
ances are often deceiving:
bedraEgled reflection in the mirror and
smiled into her own tear-brimmed eyes.
I'm not worth it," she sobbed as her
head went down on her arms. II can't
understand any Of it-why he should love
me go and why
says he's happy, too-the happiest man 4.
the world. There's no use d'sputing It
for surely he must know
Some Wholesome Advice.
An exchange. evidently edited by
philosopher. gives this advice to the
youth of the country:
My short-whiskered friend. listen:
You are not the only cub that has pitied
his parents for their ignorance and
wondered why in thunder the Lord
dropped such warm bunch Of omnis-
cience as yourself into such cool and
scanty family atmosphere. You are not
the only kid with swelled head and