The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-04-10
A FLIRT'S EXPERIENCE

My cousin, Harvey Lewis, had said,
the evening before, Little coz, I'm
coming to take you for drive to-mor~
row. ii 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
Ihe relationship, and he seemed more
like a 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 be his 4,
wifcP
At first could not believe him; yet
surely he could not be in sport; and I,
AS usual, began to cry. Then when he
tried to squeeze my hand, l drew it
away, and sat, after / had recovered
from my first outburst, looking red,
and fearful, and abashed. ] felt as
though Cousin Harvey whom l 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 l tied
myself down to any particular indi-
vidual. TO be an old lady ut 18, for
sooth! Indeed l was not going to do
any such thing; and l, who never kept
Il secret from my mother, wisely con-
cludcd in my new dignity. that / had
better not mention the matter-pcr-
haps Cousin Harvey would prefer that
| should not.
So dressed myself US usual and
went down to the parlor where man.
ma sat ut 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 | wanted to get home"
No reply, but Il look of some sur
prise; such IN excuse from me was I'M
heard of. After Il pause she asked:
"Why, didn't Harvey come in?n
"Why, | thought he was behind me,
and when turned at the door he was
driving of"
Another questioning look. | felt AN
noycd.
But as | was expecting company-no
other than the son of the wealthy
banker, Mr.. Poyntcr Smith, speedily
donncd my sweetest smiles and my
most enchanting manner for his bcuc-
fit.
But Mr.. Poyntcr Smith, Junior, spite
of being tailorizcd and barbcrizcd to
the last degree WAS undcniably COM
monplacc in appearance, and not less
SO in conversation. His remarks had
never seemed so tritc and vapid. l
was positively ashamed Of him; and
when he asked me to go to the lhcater
with him and his sister on a certain
evening, ii was only the recollection Of
his great name, and great cxpecta-
tlons, that finally led me to accept the
invitation.
Cousin Harvey Lewis is great
deal nicer. Indeed, I love him dear
ly! and began to feel very miserable
again; "but [ do not think | could
marry my cousin; and, besides, lust
think of Poyntcr Smiths wealth! ANY
girl would be glad to get Povntcr
Smith, or Harvey Lewis cithcr!" and
my mind reverted to several of nv
friends who were always raving about
him.
Nearly week passed, and Cousin
Harvey, who never absrntcd himself
more than two days ut Il time, had not
made his appearance, and, worst of ALL
he was Al the thcatcr the night before
with that hOrrid little Bessie Baker and
her brother.
was SO angry that could have torn
her eyes out Sbut pretended to be pcr-
1cctly 1asclnatcd with Poyntcr. [
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 III ioynter. Coming out we were
Just little in advance OF them.
managed IT SO, and was in the gaycst
spirits, quite convulscd with laughter,
III fact, and clinging to Poynter'S arm
as though | loved him dearly instead
OF utterly despising him.
we had received invitations to a
party Tor the next evening. | would
not have stayed ut home for worlds.
though had nearly cried my ewes out,
ana had violent headache in consc-
quencc.
On such occasions Harvey had al
ways Occn my escort; but, of course,
ne Wonld take some one else now, and
foynter had asked me. | had always
run down to exhibit myself to Harvey
before the final wrapping up, but I
could not do 50 for POyntcr and was
as sulk KY as sulky could be when pre-
sented myself.
what did | care for his old riches?
never would marry him, and he MIGHT
as well lind it out first rs last. So.
when he remarked on the beauty of
the night. as we proceeded in the car
rage, L declared that it was the cold
est, blacklist, and most wrctchcd nirht
of the season.
AN answer so full and exhaustive ad-
mitted of no reply, and there was a 81
lcnce of several minutes.
Mr. Lewis was probably not to be
present at. the party,as he was generally
my escort, was the next remark.
| was sure l did not know whcthcr
he was to be present or not! was
not kept informed of all my cousins
movements.
a silence somewhat longer than be-
lore; 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.
"Mr. Lewis appears to be very at
tentivc to Miss Baker lately" he said.
,"rThey were riding in the park on
Tuesday. / noticed"
Such pang as shot through me! Il
had not the heart to be cross, so |
merely said, "Indccdw and couphed.
and laughed, and chokcd and swal-
lowed, to keep back Il burst of grief.
Of course the first person saw on
entering the room was Cousin Harvey,
with Bessie Baker upon his arm; but