The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-12-18

tentive to Miss Baker lately" he said.
''They were riding in the park on Tues
day, noticed"
Such pang shot through me! had
not the heart to be cross, SO merely
said: Indeed" and coughed, and
laughed, and choked, and swallowed, to
keep back burst of grief.
OF course the first person saw on
entering the room was Cousin Harvey,
with Bessie Baker upon his arm; but !
affected the most supreme devotion to
POINTER and utterly ignored Harvey's
presence. was perfectly wild that
night, dancing, flirting and laughing as
though l never had care, inasmu, b as
l heard a gentleman remark to another:
II think Miss Lewis is the most light
hearted creature ever saw. What a
sunbeam she must be at home"
After awhile Harvey and met face to
face, and he said Good evening" with
a careless smile and turned to his rart.
ner.
So the winter months passed and
POINTER was usually my cavalier, the ugh
now that Harvey's attentions had ceased,
other gentlemen began to make ad.
vances. But none Of them pleased me,
and Poynter Disguised me so that could
hardly treat him with necessary civil
ity. In fact, was often excessively
rude to him, which had an effect the re-
verse of that desired, and his visits and
attentions increased every day.
Harvey, in the meantime, was rs at
tentive as possible to Miss Baker. and
it was soon reported that they were en-.
gagged; and even was compelled to be-
lieve it when she displayed an engage.
ment ring.
Harvey had not been to the house
since that last day, over three months
ago, and now mamma and papa did not
mention him. l never told them the
cause of our quarrel, and they soon
ceased to question me, though J could
not help suspecting that they knew.
At last, one day, Poynter Smith asked
me, in a stupid, laundering sort Of way,
il would be his wife; whereupon in
formed him, in manner sufficiently
positive, that / most assuredly would
not. His surprise was immense, and he
seemed to think / must have made a
mistake; wanted to know If l really
meant it, and said that should have
every thing wanted. But the more he
insisted the more emphatic I became,
and he at length took leave, saying that
If l should change my mind must
let him know.
As soon as he was gone told mamma
all about it; and then she drew from me
the story, told with many tears, Of Har-
vey's declaration, and how spurned it,
and how miserable l had been ever
since; and now he was engaged to some
body else, and I would never marry
any body. After sobbing little with
my head in her lap felt great deal
better, and thought it would not be 80
hard to be an old maid after all. Ny only
regret was that, old as might consider
myself, no one else could possibly con-
slider me so for ten years yet, and yet
during all that time / should be obliged
to 60 into society.
A few days after that mamma and
papa went out one afternoon to make q
call and was sitting alone in the par
! lor. Suddenly some one pronounced
my name, and looking up saw Cousin
Harvey, who, when sprang up in dis.
may, caught me in his arms.
But shall not tell any more, save
that when papa and mamma came in
they found us sitting very cozily on the
sofa where Harvey held me fast, though
l tried hard to assume q dignified posi-
ton at . distance when I heard them
coming.
There were great many explanations
to be made, and it finally appeared that
I had been the victim Of conspiracy.
Papa and mamma had suspected some
thing all the time, but had known moth
ing for certain until my confession.
Papa had immediately seen Harvey and
had brought about this meeting.
As for the latter, his attentions to
Miss Baker were intended solely to
bring me to my senses, IL I had any, as
she was soon to be married to . gentle
man who was then abroad.
We were married after a very short
engagement; and, though my shortma
ried life has had some clouds, they have
resulted, generally, from my own pet
tishness, and they are becoming more
| rare. But Of this am sure, that never
was so happy before, and am extremely
gratifed that missed the very narrow
escape had of losing the man of my
hearth. Y. World.