The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-01-24
SIN s.ntrrrsting 5turlJ,
From the Ladies' Visitor.
! Cousin 8 en-. !
BY MIRrAM =. HAMILTON.

tiouohst excialneQ Nate DcpEett 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. k.d ~ assssgs,s
Dear me, how provoking Just rs Lam
IN the most exciting part Of the story--and
that rert, disagreeable, Emily Archer, too"
she added, reading one of the cards; "who
else, wonder Z" "a ,s .4.,s. u.
Was,there magic in that simple biz of
paste, inscribed only will, the Two
words, Richard Wafrenf' 1t would al
most seem SO, so instantaneously did her
countenance change. The frown that had
disfgured her beautiful brow disappeared
her eyes sparkled, and without another
thought of the book, she hastily assured her.
self by a glance in the mirror, that her toi.
lei was unexccptionable, and leftgthe room.
AS she entered the drawingroom, and
greeted her guests with. all that grace and
elegance OF manner for which she was dis
hnguisHed, ENTITY Hrrircr sur~eycd.her With
oae rapid, critical glance, but dress, as well
as manner, was fultless. All
"lt must be confessed that Kate Bennett
caters room like a queen," she thought,
with a pang of envy and jealousy, as in
Richard Warren's face she read undisouised
admiration of the lovely girl before them.
" hat casual observer, who had marked
the meeting of these young ladics would
have dreamed that, under all their outward
friendliness, each hated the other with her
whole heart
Yet so ifwas. Kate aud Erhiir were ri.
ysi telles, and their Claims 10 admiration
were 50 equally balanced that it required no
little eSertion on either side to gain the as
eendaney and toe acknowledged the victor.
HKate, with her classical features, queen.
ly dignity, elegant figure, and exquisite taste,
at hrst sight threw her rival into the shade,
E,nily's piqnant style, sparkling animated
countenanee, and sprightIy conversation,
were By many preferred to Kates ssatesque
beauty. 1t was Impossible 10 decide which
was the loyeliest; each had her adherents
and admirers, but as they were equally nu
merous, it seemed probable that the season
would draw to close without the a,iimpor-
tant decsion Of the question, which had been
par erceiicnce, TIE belle.
Just at this time, Richard Warren return.
ed from Europe. The arrival of so undenia-
bly, elegant, handsome and wealthy gentle.
man was an event--all the fashionable world
was in flutter, and the rivals saw at once
that the important epoch had arrived. She
whose claim he advocated, whom he favored
with his admiration, would ut once stand up,
on the precarious pinnacle Of belle-ship.
Each lefi nothing undone to win him to her
side, though their tactics were entirely differ
eIt, ~ N "a
E,nily brougl,tsto bear upon him the bat
terles Of her sprightly wit, while Kate ad
roitiy laid the mine Of apparent queenly in
difference. As yet, though il was evident
that Richard admired both, his preference
was not known perhaps he hardly knew
himself which he thought the most charm
ing. ~ t5.
But during this exposition Of rlle claims of
the rivals, lively conversation had been 90
ing on. The last new novel and the opera
had been discussed, us well as some of their
mutual friends, and in the. midst Of some
'wickedly witty remarks ofEmily on would
be fashionable lady, q loud voice was heard
in the hall. It came nearer the door, and
the words could be distinctly understood.
.You no.braiaed, impudent jackanapes. !.
III teach you manncrs. I'll make YOU
laugh on tother side Of your mouth -
The door was bung open, and in walked
a tall, athletic and sun-burned young man,
whose really fine form was disguised in an
ill-fitting suit of evidently domestic raanufac-
ture, and who stood for a moment awkward
ly looking around him. then, hastily APP
proachiDg Kate, he flung his arms around
her, and gave her a loud smack or the
cheek.
She withdrew herself, quickly and llaugl,.
tily, from bis embrace. -,
= "Sirp she said, with freezing dignity.
"Law don't ye know who [ bef'' cx-
claimed the newcomer, in no wise discon-
certed .Wall, now, do actually elieye
you've forgot me. Don't 20 know yer cons
in Bent Ye see, | don't like farmin' no
how you can fix il, so l quit that, and come
TO the city. Jim Simpson was deown to our
place, and he's doin' fiist rate here. Z. He said
twas dreadful hard work 10 get start In
the city, but / guess aint goin' to slump
through where he gets ahead. I'll resk il,
anyhow" - q
AZ the commencement Of this speech,
Catharine had alternately flushed and paled,
for she was deeply mortified that Richard
lNNarsen and Emily Archer should have been
the witnesses Of such scene. She caught
q triumphant aud scoyefdi glance from Emf.
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