Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-27
on SIN BEN
OR, THE GOOD DEED REWARDED.


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 Archer,
toe" she added, reading one of the cards;
'who else wonder ?'
Was there magic in that simple bit of
pasteboard, INSCRIBED with only tTgs xezdS,
q Richard Warren ~ 1t would almost
seem so, SO instantaneous did her counte-
nance change. The frown that disfgured
her beautiful brow disappeared, heI eyes
sparkled, and without another thought of
the book, she hastily assured herself by a
glance in the mirror, that her toilet was
unexceptionable, and left the room.
As She entcr,l the drawing room, and
greeted her guest with all that grace and
elegance of manner for which she w..s dis
tinguished, Emily Archer surveyed her
with one rapid, critical glance bat dress,
as well as manner, was faultless.
GO 1t must be confessed that Kate Ben
nett enters a room like a Queen" she
thought, with pang of envy and jealousy,
as in Richard Warren's face she read um-
disguised admiration of the lovely girl be-
fore them.
What casual observer, who had marked
the meeting Of these two ladies, would have
dreamed that, under all their outward
friendliness, each hated the other with her
whole heart ! Yet so it was. Kate and
Emily were rival bellies, and their claims
to admiration were so equally balanced that
n rocuiraJ NO littlo ~, IL,
to gain the ascendancy, and be acknowl-
edged the victor
If Kate, with her classical features,
queenly dignity, elegant figure, and ex-
qulslte taste, at first threw her rival in the
shade, Emily's piquant style and sprightly
conversation were by many preferred t.
Kate's statuesque beauty. 1t was impos-
siblc to decide which was the loveliest-
each had her adherents and admircrs-but
as they were equally numerous, 1t seemed
probable that the season would draw to a
close without the all-important decision Of
the question which had been, par c2cel-
lence, the belle
Just at this time Richard Warren re-
turned from Europe. The arrival Of 50
undeniably elegant, handsome, and wealthy
d MAS an cNeul-stll tie lsiSlA-
ionable world was In fiutter, and the rivals
saw at once the important epoch had az
rived. She whose claims he advocated,
whom he favored with his admiration,
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 of apparently queen
ly Indifference As yet, though it was
evident that Richard admired both, his
preference was not knOwn-perhaps he
hardly knew himself which one lie thought
the most charming.
But during this exposition Of the claims
of the rivals lively conversation had been
going 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 wickedly witty remarks of Emily
upon would-be fashionable lady, loud
voice was heard in the hail. 1t came neal-
er the door, and the words could be dis
tinctly understood.
You no-brained, impudent jackanapes,
I'll teach you manners I'll make you
laugh on t'other side of your mouth"
The door was flung open, and in walked
a tail, athletic young man, whose really
fine form was disguised In an ill-fttIng
suit of evidently domestic manufacture,
and stood for moment awkwardly looking
round him; then hastily approaching Kate,
he flung his arms around her, and gave
her loud smack on the cheek.
Shewithdrew herself, quickly and haugh-
tily from his embrace.
Sir p said she, with freezing dignity
Law. don't ye know who be - ex-
claimed the conner, in no wise disconcert-
!, ed wall, now, | do actually believe
you've forgot me. Don't yer know yer
cousin Ben? Ye see, don't like farrnin'
no how you can fix it, SO l quit that and
come to the city. Jim Simpson, was down
to our place, and he's doing fust rate here.
He said twas dreadful hard to get start
in the city, but guess | amt a going to
slump through where he gets ahead. I'll
resk it any how"
Catharine, at the commencement of this
i speech had alternately flushed and paled,
r for she was deeply mortified that Richard
$ Warren and Emily Archer should have
q been the witness of such scene. She
fI Caught d tTIuupndnI SlduCC lIOi4A I1HliI 4.
1t restored her pride,
With all the grace Of which she was
mistress, she turned to the new conner
" You must excuse me, Cousin Ben, !"
she said, Il had forgotten you. A few
t years make a change, and can hardly re-
!, trace in your countenance feature that
reminds me of the lad who went hunting
with me in the dear old woods of Hamp-
ton Allow me, Miss Archer" she added,
turning to her, to present to you my
$ cousin, NIr. Adams-Mr. Warren, Mr.
e Adams" and with perfect composure she
e saw his awkward bow and scrape.
!, Emily at once commenced converse
: tion with Mr.. Adams, and was proceeding
f to drag him out most ridiculously, when
4 Kate came to the rescue.
+ "You forget, Miss Archer" said she
" that my cousin has just arrived in town
and has not yet had an opportunity to see
the lions. He will be better able to give
D his opinion of them in few days, when
t, shall have the pleasure of acting as his
ss cicerone."
y. Mr. Warren, like well-bred gentleman