Squatter sovereign., 1856-09-30
9flistellaneons.
COUSIN BEN;
oR,1HE GOOD DEED REWARDED.

"t lSltOrS. exclaimed Kate Hennett I'M
patiently, as she laid aside the book she
had been reading, and in which she had
been deeply interested, and took the cards
which the servant presented.
'.Dear me how provoking! Just as
am in the most exciting part of the story
and that pert, ,disagreeable Emily Arch
er, too." she added, reading one of the
cards; "who else, wonder?"
Was there magic in that simple bit of
pasteboard. inscribed with only two words,
Richard Warrenr' 1t would almost
seem so SO instantaneous did her counte-
nance change. The frown that disfgur-
ed her beautiful brow disappeared, her
eyes sparkled. and without another thought
of the book, she hastily assured herself
by glance in the mirror, that her toilet
was unexceptionable, and left the room.
AS she entered the drawing-room, and
greeted her guests with all that grace and
elegance of manner for which she was
distinguished. Emily Archer surveyed hel
with one rapid. critical glance; but dress,
Is well as manner. was faultless.
at must be confessed that Kate Bennett
enters room like queen" she thought,
with pang of envy and jealousy, as in
Richard Warren's face she read undis-
gaised admiration of the lovely girl before
them.
What casual observer, who had marked
the meeting of these two ladies would
have dreamed that, under all their out.
ward frlendiiness, each hated the other
with her whole hearts Yes so it was.-
Kate and Emily were rival bellies, and
their claims to admiration were so equally
balanced that it required no little exertior
on either side to gain the ascendencg and
be acknowledged the victor.
If Kate, with her classical features
queenly dignity, elegant figure, and ex-
quisile taste, at first sight threw her rivaI
in the shade, Emily's piquant style and
! sprlghtly conversation were by many pre-.
ferred to Kate's statuesQue beauty. L
was impossible to decide which was the
loveliest-each had her adherents and ad.
Hirers-bu: as they were equally hume.
rous, it seemed probable that the season
would draw to close without the all.im.
portant decision of the question. which had
- \,
Just at this time Richard Warren re.
turned from Europe. The arrival of SC
undeniably elegant. handsome, and
| wealthy gentleman. was an event; all
the fashionable world was in fiutter, and
| the rivals saw at once that the importa nj
epoch had arrived. She whose claims he
advocated, whom he favored with his ad.
miration, would at once stand upon the
precarious pinnacle of belle-ship.- though
their tactics were entirely different.
Emily brought to bear upon him the
batteries of her sprightly wit. while Kate
adroitly laid the mine ofapparen,ly queen
ly indifference. AS yet, though it wa.
evident that Richard admired both. hi.
preference was not known perhaps he
hardly knew himself which one he though
the most charming.
But during this exposition of the claims
| oil the rivals, livevly conversation had
| been going on. The last new novel ano
| th,a ooe,, had bao,, J;cc,seaJ Ill
some Of their mutual friends; and in tile
midst of some wickedly witty remarks o
Emily upon a would-be fashionable lady
a loud voice was heard in the hall. L
came nearer the door. and the word:
could be distinctly understood.
You no-brained, impudent iackanapes
Ill teach you manners, I'll make yot
laugh on t'other side of your mouth"
The door was flung open, aud in walk.
ed tall, athletic young man, whose reall,
fine form was disguised in an ill-fittine
suit OF evidently domestic manufacture
and stood for moment awkwardly looking
round him; then hastily approaching Kate
he flnng his arms around her. and CAV.
her loud smack on the cheek.
She Withdrew herself, quickly anc
haughtlly from his embrace.
"Sir." said she. with freezing dignity
| "Law! don't ye know who l bes" ex
claimed the new conner. il. no wise dis
concerted. "Wall. now, do actually be
iieve you've forgot me. Don't yer know
yer cousin Benz Ye see. don't like
farmin' no how you can fix it, so I qui
that and come TO the city. Jim Simpson
was down 10 our place, and he's doing fus
rate here. He said it was dreadful hard
! TO get start IN the city. but guess | ain