The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-07-09
al strllnnp. j .
Cousin Ben.

"Visitors r exclaimed Kate Bennett
impatieuily, 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 Emi-
" Archer, too" she added reading one
of the cards who else | wonder p
Was tberc uagic in that simple bit Of
pastchoard, inscribed only with two
words, Richard Warren ~ 1t would
almost seem So, so instantaneous did her
couutenance change. The fr0wn that
disGgurcd her beautiful brow disappear
ed. her eyes sparklod and without anoth
er thought of the book, she hastily as
sured herself by a glance in the mirror,
that her toilet as unexceptiouablc, and
left the room.
Al she entered the drawing room, and
greeted her guest with all that grace and
elegance Of manner for which she was
distinguished, Emily Archer surveyed
he, with one critical glance but dress,
as well as manner, was faultless.
= 1t must be confessed that Kate Ben
net entered room like Queen" she
thought, with pang of envy and joal-
ously, aud in Richard Warren's face she
read undisguised admiration of the love.
ly girl before them
What usual observer. who had mark
ed the meeting OF the two ladies, would
have dreamed that under all their out
ward friendliness, each hated the other
with her whole beart2 Yet so it was
Kate and Emily were rival bellies, aud
their claims to admiration were so equal.
iy balanced that it required no little ex
ertlon on either side TO gain the a>ceuden-
cy and be acknowledged the victor.
If Kate, with her classical features,
queculy dignity. elegant features and ex.
quisite taste, at first sight threw her ri
val in the shade, Emily's piquant style,
and sprightly conversation were by many
preferred to Kato's statuesque beauty
1t was impossible to decide which was
the loveliest each had her adherents aud
admirers, but as they were equally nu.
mcrous, it seemed probable that the
season would draw to close without the
all important decision of the question
which had hcen par excellence. the belle
Just at this time Richard Warren re-
turned from Europe The arrival of SO
undenable elegant, handsome and wealthy
a gentleman was an event-all the fash
ionable world 10 futter, and the rivals
saw at once that the imp rtant epoch
had arrived, She whose he advocated,
whom lie favored with his admiration.
would at once stand upon the precarious
piunaele OF belleship,trough their tactics
were entirely different.
Emily brought to bear upon him the
batteries of her spGightly wit, while Kate
adroitly laid the mine Of apparent queen
ly Indifference. AS yet though it was
evident that Richard admired both. his
preference was not known-perhaps be
hardly knew himself which one he
tho' ght he most charming.
But during this exposition of the
claims Of the rivals, n 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 re-
marks of Emily upon a wou'd-be fash
ionablc lady. loud voice was heard in
the hall. 1t came near tho door, and
tho words could be distinctly understood
You no Drained, lmpudent jaekan'