Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-30
EVENING STAR.
COU IN BE N

| CUU N y L N.
Visitors. :" exclaimed Kate Bennett INN,
tiently, as she laid aside the book she ia
been reading, and in viii h she had bee
deeply interested, and took the cards wbic
the servant presented.
dear me, how provoking Just as az
In the most exciting part of the story-an
mat pert, disagreeable Emily Archer, too,
sue added, reading one of the cards; " VIII
else wonder?''
Was there magic in that simple bit of paste
ooard, inscribed only with two words, Rich
ara warren! :! 1t would almost seem So 8
instantaneous did her countenance change
Inc frown that dis6gured her beautiful brow
disappeared, her eyes sparkled, and withou
another thought of the book, she hastily as
Sured herself, by glance in the mirror, that
her toilet was unexceptionable, and left the
| room.
AS she entered the drawing-room. and
greeted her guest with all that grace and ele.
gance OF manner for which she was distin-
sulshed' Emily Archer surveyed her with one
raplu, critical glance; but dress, as we'll as
manner, was faultless
- 1t must be confessed that Kate Bennett
enters room like a Queen" she thought.
win "a pang of envy and jealousy, as in Rich
| ara arrens face she read undisguised adj
mITatlon rat of the lovely girl before them.
"nat casual observer, who had marked the
neeuhS OF these two ladies, would have
dreamed that, under all their outward friend
| iihess each hated the other with her whole
heart! Yet 80 it was Kate and Emily were
rlVai bellies, and their claims to admiration
were SO equally balanced that it required no
ii''it e4ertion on either side to gain the as
cendancy and be acknowledged the victor.
Nate, with her classical features queen
~ dignity, elegant figure and exquisite taste.
az hrst sight threw her rival in the shade
g nt gfpln -.
'a'lon were by many preferred to Kste's stat
uG.4ue beauty. Ii was impossible to decide
which was the lUveliest, each had her adba-
rents and admirers, but as they were eouaIIv
numerous, it seemed probable that the season
would draw to close without the all import
ant decision of the question which had been,
par excellence, the belle.
Just at this time Ricard Warren returned
from Europe The arrival of so undeniablv
elegant, handsome, and wealthy a gentleman
was an event-all the fashionable world was
in hutter, and the rivals saw at once that
the important epoch had arrived She whose
claim he advocated, whom he favored with
hiS admiration, would at once stand upon the |
procarious pinnacle Of bclleship, though their
tactics were entirely different. |
Emily brought to bear upon him the batte- /
rles OF her sprlghtly wit, while Kate adroTtly
laid the mine OF apparent queenly indifer- /
ence. As yet, though it was evident that |
Richard admired both, his preference was |
not known-perhaps he hardly knew himself |
which one he thought the most charming |
But during this exposition of the claims of |
the rivals, lively conversation had been GO
ing on. The last new novel and the opera
had been discussed, as well as some Of their |
mutual friends, and in the midst of some
wickcdly witty remarks Of kmily on a would
be fashionable lady, loud voice was heard
IN the hall. 1t came nearer the door, and the
apul1 ha All
"YCu no Drained, impudent jacknapes, I'll
teach you manners l II make you laugh on
t'other side Of your mouth. 30
The door was flung open, and in walked
tall, athletic young man, whose really fine
form was disguised in an ill fitting suit of ev-
identity domestic manufacture, and who stood
for moment awkwardly looking around him;
then, hastily approaching Kate he flung his
arms around her, and gave her loud smack
on the cheek
She withdrew herself, quickly and haughti
ly, from his embrace.
- Sir - she said with freezing dignity.
Claw don't ye know who L be - ex-
claimed the new conner, in no wise disconcert-
ed (: - Wall, now, do actually believe you We
forgot me. Don't yer know yer cousin Ben
Ye see, don't like fsrmin' no how you can
f x it, so l quit that and como to the city.
Jim Simpson was down to our place, and he's
dom fust rate here He said twas dreadful
harm to get start in the city, but guess l
amt goin' to slump through, where he gets
ahead | il resk it any how"
At the commencement of this speech Cath
arine had alternately flushed and paled, for
she was deeply mortified that Richard War
rem and Emily Archer should have been the
witness of such a scene.
She caught triumphant glance from Emi-
ly. 1t restored her pride
With all the grace IF which she was mis-
| tress, she turned TO the new conner
"You must excuse me, Cousin Ben" she
said, " that had forgotten you. A few years
make a change, and / can hardly retrace IN
your countenance feature that reminds Ine
Of tie lad who went nutting with me in the
| dear old woods Of Hampton. Allow me, Miss
| Archer" she added turning to her, "to pre-
| sent Won TO NV cousin, Mr. Adams Mr.. War
rem. Mr.. Adams" and with perfect compo-
sure she saw his awkward bow and scrape.
| Emily Archer at once commenced CONVEX
| sation with Mr.. Adams and was proceeding to
| draw him out most ladcrously, when haIe
| came to the rescue.
| "You forget, Miss Archer" said she, 'that
nv cousin has but just arrived in town, and
| has not yet had an opportunity to SEQ the
lions He will be better able to give his Opin-
| ion of them in few days, when l shall have
| the pleasure of acting as his cicerone."
| Mr. Warren like a well bred gentleman az
| he was, addressed some remarks to Mr. Adams
on subjects with which he was familiar, and
shortly after he, with Miss Archer, took leave
| Kate could have cried with vexation, as she
thought of the sarcastic and ludicrous de-
| scription of the scene which Emily would de-
| light in giving, but she controlled herself.
| She was u kind hearted girl, and could not
| forget the visits she had paid her dear uncle
and aunt Adams, or Ben's untiring efforts to
make her happy when at his fathers houte.
| She resolved to repay him now, and her gra-
| ciousness of manner quite fascin ated poor Ben,
| as she made all sorts of inquiries about the
cid farm.
No sooner had Richard Warren, with Miss
| Archer, left the house, than she began, with
| all her powers of sarcasm, as Kate had for
| seen, to ridicule the scene they had witnessed,
Mr.. Warren smiled but seemed absent.
| "I had no idea that the Benefits had such
vulgar relations, continued Emily, ellknow.
ing that the fastidious Richard Warren would
consider this serious objection TO the woman
| of his choice.
| Notwithstanding all Kate Benefits ele-