The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-02-20
4 FLIRT'S EXPERIENCE


coming to take YOU for drive tO-mor-
row, il the weather is fine" and the
weather being fine we went.
He WAS only my second cousin. but
we had always made a great deal Of
the relationship, aud he seemed more
like a brother than so distant 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
wife?
At first ! could not believe him; yet
surely he could not be in sport; and I,
us 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. | felt as
though Cousin Harvey, whom | loved
very much, but not in that way, had
really done something very rude and
unkiud
70 tell the truth, it was my first Of
fer. and | wanted some more soicita-
tions, and more flirting, before | tied
myself down to anv particular indi-
vidual. 10 be an old lady at IS, for
so0th. Indeed. | was not going to DO
any such thing: and |. who never kept
a secret from my mother, wisely con-
cludcd 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 ut her work.
1t seems to me that your ride was
unusually Short she said as l en-
tered
,,Oh, it was cold and windy and for
Iorn, and | wanted to get home
No reply, but look of some sur
prise: such an excuse from me was un-
heard OF. After pause she asked:
WHY, didn't Harvey come in?"
why, thought he was behind me,
and when | turned at the door he was
driving of. y
Another questioning look. felt an
moved.
But as l was expecting company-no
other than the son of the wealthy
banker, Nh Poynter Smith speedily
ionucd my sweetest smiles and my
most enchanting manner for his bene-
tit
But Mr.. Poyntcr Smith, junior, spite
Of being tailorizel and barberized to
the iasl degree. was undeniably com
m0upiace ia appearance, and not less
50 in conversation. His remarks had
never seemed 50 trite and yapid. |
was positively ashamed OF him; and
when he asked me to 20 to the theater
with him and his sister on certain
evening. it was only the recollection of
his great name. aud great eXpecta-
tions. 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; '.Gut | do not think | could
marry my cousin: and, besides, just
think of Poyuter 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 raying about
him.
Nearly 4 weeI, passed. and Cousin
Harvey. who never absentcd himself
more than two days at time, had not
made his appearance. and, worst of ALL
le was at the thoater the night before
with that horrid little Bessie Baker and
her brother.
was 50 angry that could have torn
her eyes ont, bat pretended to be per
iec.!y fascinated with Poynter. |
wanted Harvey 10 see me, bat | was
not sure that he did. Several times /
detected him looking in that direction,
whereupon | instantly became absorb
ed in Poynter. Coming ont we were
Just little in advance of them. |
managed it so, and | was in the gayest
~niritS quite conyElsed with laughter,
in fact and clinging to Poynter's arm
. though | loved him dearly instead
OF utterly despisiug him.
We had received invitations to
parry fer the next evening. | would
not have stayed at home for worlds
tho4gh had nearly cried my eyes out,
and had violent headache in conse-
4ueucc.
On such occasions Harvey had al
WAYS been nv escort; but. of course,
ag Wuu.d take some one else now, and
pcyuler had asked me. | had always
ran down 10 exhibit myself to Harvey
before the final wrapping up, but |
could not do so for Poynter, and was
rs suiky as sulky could be when ! pre-
senttd myself.
What did care for his old riches?
| never would marry him, and he might
as we'll find it ont first as last. So
vixen he remarked on the beauty OF
the night, rs we proceeded in the ear
riagc, 1 declared that ii was the cold
est, blackest, and most wretched night
Of The season.
An answer 81 full and exhaustive adj
mitted Of no reply and there was 81
leucc OF several minutes.
Mr.. Lewis was probably not to be
present at the party,as nc was generally
NY escort, WAS the next remark
was sure / did not know whether
h. was TO be present or not. / Was
Ha kept iaformud CT I'll ms cousins