Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-12-10

row il the weather is fne," and, the
weather proving fine, we went.
He was only my second cousin, but
we had always male great deal OF
the relationship, and he seemed more
like O 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 I could not believe him; yet,
surely he could not be in sport, and /,
as usual, began to cry. Then, when
he tried TO squeeze my hand, drew
it away and sat, after l had recovered
my first outburst, looking red and tear
full and abashed. 1 felt as though
Cousin Harry, whom 1 loved very
much, but not in that way, had really
done something very impolitic and un-
kind.
To tell the truth, il was my first Of
fer, and to accept it would have been
the height Of absurdity.
When he looked at me 30 seriously
and said "Annie, know you like
me, but do you love mep" 1 only
burst out crying again and said, 'Iet's
go home" continuing TO be very lach-
rymose all the rest of the way.
When we got home / ran into the
house, not asking him to come in. OF
course he would do that without my
asking il he wanted-he always did.
But not this time. Instead, he sprang
into his phaeton and drove off without
another word, and / rushed up to
my room TO have comfortable cry
and think it all over; and my DELHI
erations brought me to this conclu-
sion: That Cousin Harry was very
foolish TO think Of such q thing.
loved him very dearly, but only as
brother. Beside, l wanted more of
fers and more flirting before tied
myself down to any particular indi-
vidual. To he an old lady at Is, for
soothl Indeed was not going to do
any such thing; and /, who had never
kepta secret from my mother, wisely
concluded, in my new dignity, that /
had better not mention the matter
perhaps Cousin Harry would prefer
that / should not. 80
.---<5s r. asessou- myself as usuhl and
went down to the parfor where mamma
sat with her work.
''It seems TO me that your ride was
unusually short" she said, as 1 en-
tered.
ooh. it was cold and windy and
forlorn, and wanted to get home"
No reply, but lcok of some sur
prise. Such an excuse from me was
unheard Of. After pause, she
asked:
"Why didn't Harry come IMP"
"Why,I thought he was behind, and
when l turned TO the door he was
driving oil. :"
Another questioning look. Evil
IDENTIFY mamma saw that something
was wrong and was puzzled at what it
could be, 30 l said. 81 think I'll go
and play little" glad of a pretext
for getting out OF range Of her sharp
eyes.
But was too much perturbed to
play and soon closed the piano and
then went up to my room and then
down again to the sitting room, and | |
wandered about until l heard my
fathers step and sprang to meet him.
At dinner he and mamma behaved |
in the most tantalizing manner. He |
was determined to know every partic-
ular Of the drive, and evasion was i'm. |
possible. AT last in reply to IA very
pressing inquiry as to the subject of |
our quarrel-for had been compelled |
tie admit that we had quarreled-I
said, 81 shan't tell you"
Whereupon he said, "Oh, If had
known it was anything of private
nature would not have pressed my
inquiries. / beg your pardon, my
dear" with much courtesy; whereat
they both began to laugh.
Ny vexation seemed TO amuse them
and arose from the table
in anything but an amiable frame of
mind.
But, as I was expecting company
no other than the son Of the wealthy
banker, Mr.. Thomas Dickerson-I
speedily donned my sweetest smiles
and my most enchanting manner for
his benefit
"He's almost IA nice as Cousin
Harry, and he's so very rich"
This last reflection, bringing with
IL the picture of an elegant mansion
and carriages and horses and plenty
Of servants and splendid dresses and
rich jewelry, 80 elated me, that l pre-
pared to be especially brilliant.
But Mr.. Thomas Dickerson, junior,
spite of being tailorized and barber.
ized to the last degree, was undeni-
lbly commonplace in appearance and
not less SO in conversation. His re.
-. l.ad navar senmaI 90 triAa a,.I |