Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-10-18
Z Stlrtt Gale.
COUSIN BEN,
OR, THE GOOD DEED REWARDED.


"Visitors +" exclaimed Kate Bennet 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 mo, how provoking. Just as l am
in the most exciting part Of the story-and
that pert. disagreeaOle Emily Archer, too"
she added reading one OF the cards "Nao
else, wonder!
Was there magic in that simple bit of
rnstebogrd. inscribed with only two words,
Richard Walrenm 1t would almost seem
so, SO Instantaneous did her conntenance
cbar.c. The frUwn that Gisigurcd her
beautiful brow disappeared. her eyes spark
ed, and. without another thought OF the
book, she hastily assured herself by glance
n the mirror that her toilet was Gnexcep-
.ionable. 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 dis
;inguished, Ealy Archer surveyed her with
one rapid, critical glance but dress, as well
as manner, was laultless.
1T must be confessed that Kate Bennett
enters a room ike queen" she thought,
with pang Cf envy and jealousy, as in
Richard Wurren's face she read undistin-
guished 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 outward friend
! liueSs each hated the other with her whole
| heart Yet so it was. Kate and Emily
were rival bellies, aud their claims to admiIa-
| t!on were 50 equally balanced that II reQuirri
/ no little eXertiun on either side to gain the
/ ascendency and be acknowledged the victor.
! Ii Kate with her classical features, qucenly
dignity, elegant figure and eXquiste taste at
! first sight threw her rival into the shade,
| Emlly's piquant style and sprghtly conver-
sation were by many preferred TO kate's
statuesque beauty. 1t was impossible to
decide which was the lOyeliest-each had her
adAyests and admirers-hut as they were
equally numerous, It seemed probable that
the season would draw to close without the
uil.importnnt decision OF the question, which
had been par eTccjiencc the belle.
Jus, at this time Richard V Narren returned
from Europe. The arrival of so undeniably
elegant, handsome and wealthy u gentlemen
was an event; all the fashionable world was
in flutter, and the rivals saw at once that
the important epoch had arrived. She whose
claims he advocated, whom he favored with
his admiration would at once stand upon the
pecarious pinnacle o. belleshp, though their
tactics were entirely different.
Emily brought to bear upon him the bat
terieS a.. her sprightly wit, while Kate
adr6Nly laid the mine OF apparently queenly
Indifference. As yet, Though it was evident
that Richard admired both, lis preference
was not known-perhaps he hardly knew
himself which one he thought the most
charming.
But dursg this exposition Of the claims
Of the rivals, a lively conversation had beer
going on. Tho last new novel and the opera
had been discussed, as well as some of theil
mutual friends, and in the midst OF some
wicksdy witty remarks of Emily upon /
would-bs fashionable lady loud voice wa
heard in the hall /. came nearer the deer