Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Nev. County, Ark.) 1885-1???, 1892-02-04

Z lldu received invitations 10
party for the next evening. | would
not have stayed at home for worlds,
though | had nearly cried my eyes
ont, and had 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 PoVnter had asked me. | had
always run down to exhibit myself
To Harvey before the tiual wrapping
up. but | could not do so for Poyn-
ter, and was as sulky as sulky could
be when | presented myself.
What did l care for his riches? |
never would marry him, and he mi 9ht
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, blackest and most wretched
night of the season.
An answer so full and exhaustive
admitted of no reply, and there was
a silence of several minutes.
Mr.. Lewis was probably not to be
present at the party, as he was gen
orally my escort, was the next re-
mark.
| was sure | did not know wheth-
er he was to be present or not
was not kept informed of all my
cousins movements.
a silence somewhat longer than
before; but Mr.. Smith was not to
be thwarted He had set out with
the determination to be agreeable
and slight obstacles should not dis
courage him.
"Mr. Lewis appears to be very at
tentiye to Miss Baker lately" he
said. They were riding in the
park on Tuesday, | noticed.
Such pang as shot through me
| had not the heart to be cross, SO
merely said, Indeed" and cough
ed, and laughed, and choked, and
swallowed, to keep back a burst of
grief.
OF course the first person saw on
entering the room was Cousin Har'
vey with Miss Baker upon his arm ;
but | affected the most supreme de-
votion TO Poynter md utterly ignored
Ilaryey's presence. was perfectly
wild that night, dancing, flirting,
laughing, as though l had never a
care, inasmuch as | heard a gentle
man remark to another: ~ think
Miss Lewis is the most light-hearted
creature | ever saw; What a sun
beam she must he at home"
After a whi'c Harvey and | met
face to face, and he said Good
evening" with careless smile, and
turned to his partner.
So the winter months passed, and
Poynter was usually my cavalier,
though now that Harvey's attentions
ceased, other gentlemen began to
make advances. But none of the IN
pleased me, and Poynter disgusted
ne 50 that | could hardly treat him
with necessary civility. In fact, |
was often excessively rude to him,
which had an effect the reverse OF
that desired, and his visits and at
tentions increased every day.
Harvey, in the meantime, was as
attentive to Miss Baker, and 1t was
soon reported that they were en-
gagged and even | was compelled to
believe it when she displayed an en-
gagement ring.
Harvey had not been to the house
since that last day, over three
months ago; and now mamma and
papa did not mention him. | never
told the cause of our quarrel, and
they soon ceased to question me,
though could not help suspecting
that they knew,
At last, one day, Poynter smith
asked me, in a stupid, blundering
sort of way, If | would be his wife,
whercupon | informed him, in a man
ner sufficiently positive, that |
most assuredly would not, His sur
prise was immense, and he seemed
to think | must have made a mistake
wanted to know if really meant
it, and said | should have everything
wanted. But the more he insisted
the more emphatic became; and
he at length took leave, saying that
if | should change my mind | must
let him know,
As soon as he was gone told
mamma all about it; and then she