The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-01-17

entering the room was Cousin Harvey,
with Bessie Baker upon his arm; but /
affected the most supreme devotion 70
PoynUer and utterly ignored Harvey's
presence I was perfectly wild that
night dancing, flirting and laughing as
though ! never had a care, iua-much as
heard a gentleman remark 10 another:
i think Miss Lewis is the most light
hearted creature I ever saw. What a
sunbeam she must be at homc.7
After awhile Harvey and ! met face to
face, and he said Good evening with
a careless smile and turned 20 his part
ner.
So the winter months passed and
Poynter was usually my cavalier, though
now that Harvey's attentions had ceased,
other gentlemen began 10 make ad-
vances. But none OF them pleased me,
and Poynter disgusted me so that could
hardly treat him with necessary civil
ity. In fact l 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 as at
tentive as possible to Miss Baker and
it was soon reported that they were en-
gagged; and even wQs compelled to be-
Heve 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 Linn. I never told them the
cause OF our quarrel, and they soon
ceased 20 question me, though I could
not help suspecting that they knew
At last, one day, Poynter Smith asked
me, in a stupid, laundering sort Of way,
if I would be his wife; whereupon in
formed him, in a manner sufficiently
positive, that ] most assuredly would
not. His surprise was immense, and he
seemed to think I must have made
mistake; wanted TO know If I really
meant it, and said that 7 should have
every thing I wanted. But the moro he
insisted the more emphatic l became,
and he at length took leave, saying that
II / should change my mind / must
let him know.
As soon as he was gone 7 told mamma
all about it: and then She drew from me
the story, told with many tears, of Har-
yey's declaration. and how ! spUrned it,
and how miserable 1 had been ever
since and now he was engaged 10 some
body else, and 1 would never marry
any body. After sobbing q little with
my head in her lap I felt a great deal
better, and thought it would not be so
hard 10 be an old maid after all. Myonly
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 L Should be obliged
10 20 into society
A few days after that mamma anG
papa went out one afternoon 70 make a
call and 7 was sitting alone in tho par
lor- suddenly some one pronout
my name, and looking up saw Cousin
Harvey, who, when / sprang up in dis
may, caught nae. in his arms.
But I 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 INC fast, though
! / tried hard 70 assume q diguifCd posi-,
tion Al 4 distance when l heard them
. coming.
There were a great many explanations
70 be made, and IL finally appeared that
had been the victim OF a 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 10
bring me 70 my. senses, if l had any, as
/ she was soon 70 be married TO 4 gentle
man who was then abroad.
We were married after very short
engagement; and, though my short mar
! 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 tnat Z missed the very narrow
| escape I.haa of losing the man of my
! heart.-N l. World