The Owosso times., 1921-05-06
The Coquette
BY FREDERICK CLARKE
AQ. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.l

nn."
III is worse than mysterious-it is
positively heartbreaking said Ina
Dawes, but she said 1t to herself.
Everything was going so lovely
continued the little widow. II invited
you down here, Bruno, as my heart
dearly wished, was more than atten-
tive 10 you. His friend, Jack Lowry,
ea@e on. Then Beatrice Dale has that
stately Miss Vavasour visit her. Right
away, too Bruno neglects you and
becomes devoted to Miss vavasour.
Poor Jack, the rejected, Is incOnsola-
bic, md you, my dear"
HDSz't think of me. my friend" said
Ina braveiy. II am afraid / attached
400 much weight to your brothers.
ftirtng."
-But Bruno was not flirting" dis
claimed Mrs. Little solemnly. II know
he wasn't"
Them"
THAT Miss VavasOur has simply
hypnOtized him with her queenly ways
AND really handsome face. He will
come back to his first allegiance.
Trust me-"
Ina left her friend and old college
csmS@Dion, and walked penSively
through the garden towards the river
She StrOlled along rather detected
by until she reached the rustic bridge
spanning the river. She sat down
near some bushes on the bank. Then
she idly watched newcomer on the
scene. This was Beatrice Dale. The
latter stood leaning and half seated
Sn the frail railing that protected the
bridge.
~Eyen she does not look happy" re-
Eected Ina.
SRdSsenly there was cracking
sound upon the still air, a shrek and
splash. Miss Dale had infringed
TOO fully upon the integrity Of the
himsy bridge rail. 1t had given way.
and she was precipitated into the wa
ter ten feet below. Stunned and help
less, she sank; she came to the sur
face again, but limp and lifeless.
Ina was soon in the water. She
could not, however, sustain the dead
weight of the insensible girl and swim
10 shore. Fortunately after drifting
twenty feet. she neared a wire run
ming to timber under the bridge,
chung to it, holding the rescued girl
out OF the water. and screamed for
heip.
II was Jack Lowry who finally ap-
peared. He soon had both girls safe
an the bank. 1t was Jack who car
ried Miss Dale to her home. The next
day Ina received a note from Miss
Dale asking her to call upon her at
once
Ina found Jack seated on the porch
Of the Dale home. He flushed trifle
as he saw Ina. mumbled some excuse
about an engagement, and the two
girls were alone.
i have something to say to you,
Miss Dawes" began Beatrice in
frernulOus tone. You saved my life
yesterday. ! sent purposely for my
friend, Miss VavasOur, to win the love
Of Bruno Moore away from you, be-
cause / was jealous and wicked
Never mind, dear" Ina said coura-
geously. IF Miss Vavasour is
RrunO's fate. let us wish him all due
happiness"
-But she can never make him hap
py!" cried the wretched Beatrice.
"She Is false-hearted, coquette."
However. one good result came out
cf ii SIT. Jack seemed now attracted
10 the really pretty Beatrice, and the
latter began to wear happier face.
One evening Bruno came into the gar
den, where his sister and Ina were
seated engaged In some fancy work.
WELL" he announced, 81 have Just
ssen Miss VavasOur homeward bound
cn The train-thank goodness !"
His sister stared at him and Ina
felt new throbbing at her heart.
-E'Fiy do you say that. Bruno?" in
quire Mrs. Little.
Because 1 am truly thankful, in
deed. Miss Vavasour's sister sent for
her andf nova happy return to the
fc0r cSa times" cried Bruno joyOusly.
"to1, will you take a stroll with me?"
DO you not think few explana-
lions are in order first, brOther?" in
anired Mrs. Little, rather coldly.
That's deserved-why, certainlyl'
replied Bruno, in his usual bluff, Jolly
tone. 81 have hurried back here fast
rs i could purposely to explain to
both of you that my horrible con-
duct"
His sister groaned.
My 'undying devotion to Miss Va
rssour--"
Ina sighed.
WAS all q game"
"a gamer repeated Mrs. Little
wouderingly.
~Yes. The first night Miss vava-
spr arrived" said Bruno, poor Jack
fen head over heels i'm love with her.
I saw his danger, for 1 had heard of
her In the city as heartless, calculat-
ing coquette. To save Jack I devoted
my time to Miss Vavasour. She has
gene home somewhat soured, and I
fancy has half guessed my plot to