The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-17
A SAD EXPERIENCE.
Which, However, Had a Very Hap
py and Satisfactory Ending.


coming to take you for a drive tomorrow,
If 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 the re-
lationship, and he seemed more like
brother than so distant connection.
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 l could not believe him; yet
surely he could not be in sport; and l, 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 tear
full and abashed. felt as though COus-
sin Harvey, whom | loved very much,
but not in that way, had really done
something very rude and unkind.
TO tell the truth, it was my first offer;
and | wanted some more solicitations,
and more flirting, before / tied myself
down to any particular individual. To
be an old lady at eighteen, forsooth!
Indeed, was not going to do any such
thing; and l, who never kept secret
from my mother, wisely concluded. in
my new dignity, that l had better not
mention the matter-perhaps Cousin
Harvey would prefer that | should not.
So dressed myself as usual and went
down to the parlor where mamma sat at
her work.
1T seems to me that your ride was
unusually Short" she said, as entered.
H. x~I e.,
lorn, and l wanted to get home"
No reply, but look of some surprise;
snch an excuse from me was unheard of.
After pause she asked: ''Why didn't
Harvey come imp
"Why, l thought he was behind me,
and when l turned at the door he was
driving Off"
Another questioning look. felt an
noyed.
But as [ was expecting cOmpany-no
other than the son of the wealthy bank
er, Mr.. Poynter Smith, speedily
donned my sweetest smiles and my
most enchanting manner for his benefit
But Mr. Poynter Smith, junior, spite
of being tailOrized and barberized to the
last degree, was unSeniably common
place in appearance, and not less so in
conversation. His remarks had never
seemed so trite and vapid. / was posi-
lively ashamed of him; and when he
asked me to go to the theater with him
and his sister on certain evening, it
was only the recollection of his great
name, and great expectations, that
finally led me to accept the invitation.
''Cousin Harvey Lewis is great deal
nicer. Indeed, love him dearly!" and
began to feel very miserable again;
'but do not think I 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
raving about him.
Nearly a week passed, and Cousin
Harvey, who never absented himself
more than two days at time, had not
made his appearance, and, worst of all,
he was at the theater the night before
with that horrid little Bessie Baker and
her brother.
was so angry that l could have torn
fectly fascinated with Poynter. WANTED
Harvey to see me, but l was not sure
that he did. Several times 1 detected
him looking in that direction, where
upon l instantly became absorbed in
Poynter. Coming out we were just a
little in advance of them. managed it
so, and was in the gayest spirits, quite
convulsed with laughter, in fact, and
clinging to Poynter's arm as though 1
loved him dearly instead of utterly de-
spising him.
We had received invitations to a party
for the next evening. / would not have
stayed at home for worlds, though l
had nearly cried my eyes out, and had a
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. l had always
run down to exhibit myself to Harvey
before the final wrapping up, but could
not do so for PoyDter, and was as sulky
as sulky could be when presented my
self.
What did l care for his old riches? !
u
as we'll find it out first as last. So,
when he remarked on the beauty of the
night, as we proceeded in the carriage,
declared that it was the coolest,
blacklist and most wretched night of the
season.
An answer so full and exhaustive ad-
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.
ly my escort, was the next remark
/ was sure did not know whether he
was to be present or not! 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.
'sMr. Lewis appears to be very at.
tentive to Miss Baker lately" he said
'They were riding in the park on Tues
day, noticed"
Such pang shot through me! / had
not the heart to be cross, so merely
said: "Indeed~ and coughed, and
laughed. and choked, and swallowed. t.
keep back a burst of grief.
OF course the first person saw or
entering the room was Cousin Harvey
with Bessie Baker upon his arm; but
Affected the most supreme devotion t.
Poynter and utterly ignored Harvey's
presence l was perfectly wild tina,
night. dancing. flirting and LAUGHING al