The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-01-17
A SAD EXPERIENCE.
Which, However, Had a Very Hap
py and Satisfactory Ending.

Ny cousin, Harvey Lewis, had said,
the evening before: Little coz. I'm
coming to take you for a drive tomorrow,
= the weather is fine and tho weather
being fine, we went.
He was only my second cousin. but we
had always made great deal Of the re-
lationship, and he seemed more like q
brother than so distant connection.
But on that day he told me how he loved
me and how I only could make his life
happy and would be his wife?
Al first l could not believe him; vet
surely he could not be in sport; and I, as
usual, began 10 cry. Then, when he
tried 70 squeeze nv hand, I drew il
away, and sat, after ! had recovered from
my first outbUrst, looking red, and tear
ful and abashed. felt as though Cous-
sin Harvey, whom I loved very much,
bat not in that way, had really done
something very rude and unl1ind.
To tell the truth, it vas my first offer;
and I wanted some more solicitations,
and more flirting, before I tied myself
down TO any particular individual. To
be On old lady II eighteen, fC-soOth,
Indeed, was not going 70 do any such
thing; and I, who never kept a secret
from my mother, wisely concluded, in
my new dignity, that l had better not
mention the matter-perhaps Cousin
Harvey would prefer that I should not.
SO I dressed myself a. usual and went
down TO the parlor where mamma sat at
her work.
'It seems 20 me that your ride was
unusually short she said. as I entered.
'tOL, it was cold and windy and for
lCrn, and wanted 70 get home"
No reply, but a look Of some surprise;
sLch an excuse from me was uaheard of.
After a pause she asked: "Why didn't
Harvey come imp
why, thought he was behind me.
and when l turned at the door he was
driving OF"
Another questioning look. felt an
noyed.
But IS wa7 expecting company-no
other than the son of the wealthy bank
Mr.. Poynter SMITH speedily
donned my sweetest smiles and my
I most enchanting manner for his benefit.
But Mr.. Poynuer Smith, junior, spite
OF being tailOrized and barberized 70 the
las: degree, was undcniably common
place il appearance, and not less so in
conversation. His remarks had never
seemed so trite and vapid ! was posi-
.
asked me 10 90 20 the theater with him
and his sister on a certain evening, II
was only the recollection Of his great
name, and great expectations, that
finally led me 70 accept the invitation.
Cousin Harvey Lewis IS a great deal
nicer. Indeed, I love him dearly and
I began to feel very miserable again;
--bu- 1 DO not think ] could marry my
cousin: and, besides, just think OF Poyn-
ter 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 d week passed, and Cousin
! H.rVcv, who never abseuted himself
I 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 itule Bessie Baker and
! her brother.
/ was so angry that ] could have torn
| her eyes out, but I pretended to be per
! fectly fascinated with Poynter. WANTED
| Harvey TO see me, but I was not sure
| that he did. Several times I detected
I him looking in that direction, where
| upon / instantly became absorbed in
Poynter. Coming out we were just a
| little in advance of them. I managed it
so, and was in the gayest spirits, quite
! convulsed with laughter, in fact, and
clinging to Poynter's arm as though
loved him dearly instead Of utterly de-
spising him.
| We had received invitations to party
! for the next evening. I would not have
stayed aJ home for worlds, though I
had nearly cried my eyes out and had 4
violent headache in consequence.
On such occasions Harvey had al
ways been my escort; but, of course, he
would take some one else now, and
Poynter had asked me. | had always
run down to exhibit myself TO Harvey
before the final wrapping up, but 1 could
not do so for Poynter, and was as sulky
as sulky could be when presented my
self
What did I care for his old riches? 1
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 carriage,
L declared that IL was the coldest,
| blackest and most wretched night OF the
season
An answer so full and exhaustive adj
mitted of no reply, and there was 81
lence of several minutes.
Mr.. Lewis was probably not TO be
present at the party, as he was general
" nv escort, was the next remark.
1 was sure I did not know whether he
was to be present or not! 1 was not
kept informed of all my cousins move
ments.
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.
''Mr. Lewis appears to be very at
tentive to Miss Baker lately he said
They were riding in the park on Tues
day, I noticed
Such pang shot through me! ha'
not the heart TO be cross, SO j merel
said: '.Indeed"' and coughod, an
laughed. and chol1ed, and swallowed, {
keep back burst Of grief.
OF course the first person l saw