The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-19

entering the room was Cousin Harvey,
with Bessie Baker upon his arm; but
affected the most supreme devotion TO
POINTER and utterly ignored Haryey's
presence. ! was perfectly wild that
night. dancing. flirting aud laughing
as though never had care. inasmuch
as l heard gentleman remark To an
other: II think Miss Lewis Il the most
light-hearted creature | ever saw.
what sunbeam she must be AT home"
After while Harvey and | met face
TO face, and he said Good evening"
with careless smile aud turned TO his
partner.
SO the winter months passed. and
POINTER was usually my cavalier,
though now that Harvey's attentions
ceased. other gentlemen began to make
advances. But none of them pleased
me. and Poynter Disguised me so that
could hardly treat him with necessary
ciyility. In fact. was often excess
siyely rude TO him. which had an effect
the reverse OF that desired. and his
visits aud attentions increased every
day.
Harvey. I'm the meantime. was as
attentive 10 Miss Baker. and il was
soon reported that they were engaged;
and even was compelled 10 believe II
when she displayed an engagement
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. never told them
the cause OF our quarrel. aud they soon
ceased to question me. though ! could
not help suspecting that they knew.
At last. one day. Poynter Smith
asked me. In a stupid, laundering sort
of way. II would be his wife; where
upon informed him. In manner suf-
iiciently positive. that | most assured
IN would not. His surprise was im-
mense. and he seemed to think must
have made a mistake; wanted to know
ii | really meant il, and said that
should.have everything | wanted. But
the more he insisted the more emphatic
| became; and he AT length took leave.
saying that IL | should change my
mind must let him know.
As soon as he was gone | told mann
ma all about il; and then she drew
from me the story, told with many
tears, OF Haryey's declaration, and how
| spurned il. aud how miserable | had
been ever since; and now he was en-
gagged To somebody else, and | would
never marry anybody. After sobbing
little with my head in her lap felt a
great deal better, aud that il would not
be so hard TO be an old maid after all.
My only regret was that, old as | might
consider myself, no one else could pos
sibly consider me SO for ten years yet.
and yet during all that time should
be obliged to go into society.
A few days after this mamma and
papa went out one afternoon to make a
call aud 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 costly on the
sofa where Harvey held me fast, though
| tried hard TO assume more digniied
position at distance when l heard
them coming.
There were "A great many explana-
tons to be made. and il finally appear
ed that / had been the vic tim of a con-
spiracy.
Papa and mamma had suspected
something all the time. but had known
nothing 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 had any, AS
she was soon TO be married to a gem
tleman who was then abroad.
We were married after short en-
gagement; and. though my short mar.
ried life has had some clouds, they
have resulted. generally, from my own
pettishness. and they are becoming
more rare. But of this am sure. thai
| never was 80 happy before, and am
extremely gratified that | missed the
very narrow escape had OF losing the
man Of my hearty. y. EUenins
World.