The sun., 1908-08-09
THE Ex-COQUETTE
L TURNS THE TABLES
A Little Revenge on, Georgianna and
Her Friends Which They Take
In Good Part.

RAISING position. Here she was a guest
at a house party In the Adirondacks, and
there was no one in all the large company
she could call a friend.
The married women, she knew, had
been concerned In plot against her; she
could not bring herself to be more than
civil to them. The other unmarried girls
were not her sort. As for the men, she
had anita agonized them, and anyway she
had had enough Of mems society for the
present
Dorothy knew little about women. In
the few years since abe had been grown
up she had been greatly admired and oourted
by men, and she fell easily into ways Of
behavior and tricks of speech that earned
for her the title Of coquette. Until now
there had been no break in her easy DALI
anoe with the serious matters Of life.
When you give a woman who has taken
life easily as II comes something serious
to ponder over. it is dangerous to her peace
OF mind to bottle her up. She needs the
outlet Of speech with one she can trust.
Dorothy had no such outlet.
Her mother was travelling out West;
1t was impossible to 60 to her. She was
compelled to remain for some weeks at
least among these people she deemed un-
friendly. She took to keeping diary.
A girls diary Is foolish thing usually.
1t contains merely the vaporings Of the
feminine mind. The real thoughts and
aspirations Of the budding woman are too
sacred to be admitted even to herself, let
alone to be put on paper where some one
might see them.
But to Dorothy 1t was very welcome
outlet for things she couldn't hold in any
longer That she may not have been en-
tirely frank, even in her diary, cannot
be put down as a fault. Women are not
to blame for the mental characteristics
that distinguish them from men.
How it is possible to record here some
extracts from Dorothy Millbank's diary it is
unnecessary to explain. People like to see
the play without going behind the scenes
She began to write the night Guelph Higgins
left the camp.
SOh. it was cruel,' she wrote, "for those
women to play such a trick on me. The
idea Of getting Mr.. Higgins up here just to
make love to mel Ihope they're ga tisfied.
Il wasn't harming them. or their hus-
bands; simply having good time in my
own way. 1t seems my way wasn't theirs.
I have found men ever so much more in
teresting TIL an women. 90 why shouldn't I
cultivate themf Why do have youth and
! am beautiful. and why
shouldn't say soft can't use them to
make friends'
Il overheard one of them-it was Cousin
too-call mo coquette. don't
serious, But this last affair has upset me.
II was lucky for me that had heard Of
Guelph Higgins and detected their little
scheme, else it would have been serious.
As IL is am just little upset. that's all,
and will get my balance again soon.'
upset Her demeanor in public showed
nothing Of coquetry now. She carried
herself proudly. even scornfully, among
those persons with whom she was 80 out
Of key; but IL you could have come upon
lake or in the woods you would have seen
pain and sadness in those dark eyes, which
formerly were all light and vivacity.
II Dorothy had but known, sny one of
those women she denounced would have
proved a sincere friend. As they noted the
change in the girl they regretted the way
their little plan had turned out.
Julia Wilson seemed to take the affair
most to heart, and she wondered how she
,ould help. She made friendly advances
one day but was repulsed. As Dorothy
NTOtc III iioT ulaTy ttlat DlRnt
Mrs. Wilson tried to be friendly with
ne to-day. but couldn't quite see it. !
I'm beginning to wonder a bit, however,
Z haven't b cen hssty
These young married women all seem
70 happy with their husbands. I envy
seriously Of some things.
Il wish man. a real man. would fall In |
owe with me. I know Mr. Higgins did, |
out no real man would set out to make a |
girl unhappy, He influenced me strangely |
vhat that influence was. I think / know
low. l hate him"
She felt much better after writing that |
md resolved that she would forget him and |
nix more freely in the society in which she |
found herself.
II can't go on this way" abe said to her. |
self as she dropped of to sleep.
She surprised Julia Wilson the next day |
~ suggesting they go for a row together. |
When they got to a quiet nook Dorothy |
opened the talk.
aIm not quite sure what want TO saw.
Mrs, Wilson, she began. -but my position |
ately has been 50 uncomfortable that I |
wanted to talk to some one. / have been |
very angry. not with you or any one In ,
Just with circumstances. I |
SUPPOSE
-You have a right. to be angry" Julia
Interrupted, -and with all Of us colieo- |
lively and individually I have been watt |
ng for just such an opportunity to tell |
you so. Please forgive us right of and |
I'm sure we will have everything straight |
ened out in short ORDER |
Il am not sure that have anything to
'orgive,' said Dorothy thoughtfully. Il |
vas angry. but i am beginning to realize |
hat maybe needed lesson. But 1t |
lurts.' The girls eyes filled with tears.
Il know just how you feel" said Julia, |
for you may have noticed that am in |
love with my husband and so UNDER
But It isn't that Dorothy interrupted.
Please don't think ] arm In love with Mr..
Higgins. have settled that, hate him.
The hurt Is to my pride and my self-esteem.
But ] don't think 1t will do any serious
larn.-
Il hope not said Julia. But why do
'ou hate Mr.. Higgins9 He's a fine, manly |
hap. even II he is an actor
1T isn't that he's an actor said the
,irl. Il couldn't love man who pre-
ended to make love TO me. even II he did
mean II later. You know he did get seri-
,us?' Julia nodded. 1T was the sham OF
I that hurt me-"
..But don't We all pretend at loveg' asked
ulia.
Dorothy looked at her In surprise.
Il pretended she said, after l knew
'e was pretending. And did right
yes, you did Julia said. "But that
snt quite what l mean. Until we find
he right man we women are always pre-
ending. Take yourself for example,"