Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-27
A FLIRT'S EXPERIENCE

the evening before, Little coz, I'm
coming to take you for drive to-mor-
row, if the weather is fine" and the
weather being fine we went.
He was only my second cousin, but
we had always made great deal of
the relationship, and he seemed more
like brother than so distant a con-
nection. But on that day he told me
how he loved me and how / only could
make his life happy and would l be his
wife?
At first / could not believe him; vet
surely he could not be in sport; and /,
as usual, began to cry. Then when he
tried to squeeze my hand, | drew it
away, and sat, after / had recovered
from my first outburst, looking red,
and fearful, and abashed. l felt as
though Cousin Harvey, whom | loved
very much, but not in that way, had
really done something very rude and
unkind.
To tell the truth, it was my first Of
fer, and | wanted some more solicita-
tons, and more flirting, before / tied
myself down to any particular indi-
vidual. To be an old lady at Is, for
sooth! Indeed, was not going to do
any such thing; and l. who never kept
a secret from my mother, wisely con-
Guided in my new dignity. that | had
better not mention the matter-per-
haps Cousin Harvey would prefer that
/ should not.
So [ dressed myself as usual and
went down to the parlor where man.
ma sat at her work.
1T seems to me that your ride was
unusually short, she said, as | en-
tered.
''Oh, it was cold and windy and for
lorn, and l wanted to get home"
No reply, but a look of some sur
prise; such an excuse from me was I'M
heard of. After a pause she asked:
'Why, didn't Harvey come imp
why, / thought he was behind me,
and when turned at the door he was
driving off,
Another questioning look. l felt an
noyed.
But as / was expecting company-no
other than the son of the wealthy
banker, Mr. Poynter SMITH speedily
donned my sweetest smiles and my
most enchanting manner for his bene-
fit
But Mr.. Poynter Smith, junior, spite
of being tailorized and barberized to
the last degree, was undeniably COM
monplace in appearance, and not less
so in conversation. His remarks had
never seemed so trite and vapid. |
was positively ashamed of him; and
when he asked me to go to the theater
with him and his sister on a certain
evening, it was only the recollection of
his great name, and great expecta-
lions, that finally led me to accept the
invitation.
Cousin Harvey Lewis is a great
deal nicer. Indeed, | love him dear
ly!' and | began to feel very miserable
again; ''but | do not think [ could
marry my cousin; and, besides, just
think of Poynter Smiths wealth! Any
girl would be glad to get Poynter
Smith, or Harvey Lewis either!" and
my mind reverted to several of my
friends who were always raving about
him.
Nearly week passed, and Cousin
Harvey, who never absented himself
more than two days at a time, had not
made his appearance, and, worst of all,
he was at the theater the night before
with that horrid little Bessie Baker and
her brother.
l was so angry that l could have torn
her eyes out, but | pretended to be per-
fectly fascinated with Poynter. |
wanted Harvey to see me, but | was
not sure that he did. Several times |
detected him looking in that direction,
whereupon | instantly became absorb
ed in POINTER. Coming out we were
just a little in advance of them. l
managed it so, and l was in the gayest
spirits, quite convulsed with laughter,
in fact, and clinging to Poynters arm
as though I loved him dearly instead
of utterly despising him.
We had received invitations to a
party for the next evening. | would
not have stayed at home for worlds,
though | had nearly cried my eyes out,
and had a violent headache in conse-
quence.
On such occasions Harvey had al
WAYS been nv escort; but, of course,
he wonld take some one else now, and
POINTER had asked me. | had always
run down to exhibit myself to Harvey
before the final wrapping up. but
could not do so for Poynter, and was
as sulky as sulky could be when | pre-
sented myself.
What did | care for his old richest
I never would marry him, and he might
as well find it out first as last. So,
when he remarked on the beauty of
the night, as we proceeded in the car
riage, I declared that it was the cold
est, blacklist, and most wretched night
of the season.
An answer SO full and exhaustive adj
mitted of no reply, and there was a 81
lence of several minutes
Mr.. Lewis was probably not to be
present at the party, as he was generally
nv escort, was the next remark.
I was sure / did not know whether
he was to be present or mott was
not kept informed of all my cousins
movements.
a silence somewhat longer than be-
fore; but Mr.. Smith was not to be
thwarted. He had set out with the de-
termination to be agreeable and slight
obstacles should not discourage him.
AIR. Lewis appears to be very at
tentive to Miss Baker lately" he said.
They were riding in the park on
Tuesday, I noticed.
Such a pang as shot through met