Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-02
1flisrelIoup.
The Country Cousin.
CHAPTER 1

sHe 6eltuS HOlne IL ufeeS L cHltlOb Wcdr' IL 10
full two inches small The dowdy ~ And
Henrietta Balfour spitefully tossed an elegant
amber-colored satin ball dress, she had been
vainly endeavoring to bring together around
figure somewhat " dumpy," half way across
her chamber. "Its always the way. She
never sent home dress to Inc but was half
ruined with altering before could wear it, |
wish Modiste was in the Red Sea Not anoth-
stitch Of my work goes into her shop I'll war
rant that elegant rose ta6eta saw her measur-
ing Maria Chamberlain for won't be ruined.
Her dresses always fit to charm"
9 But you know Maria Chambsrlain's fig
ure isjperfect-slight, petite, but well rounded !
and you are getting more flesh every day, "
said languid voice from the depths Of large
easy-chair.
+" Nonsense, Ad % retorted Henrietta, in an
angry tone. &c Maria Chamberlain S figure is
Just what her dressmaker makes it. To be sure
it is She's thin, scrawny Id rather be twice
as heavy as am now, than little mite, an
atom. Thank goodness am something besides
skin and bones You fancy petite beauties-get
your ideas from those interminable novels
you're always devouring, where the herones
are milk and moonshine and the heroes pale,
interesting, poetical young gentlemen, that one
never meets with in real life Suppose you'd
call Maria Chamberlain beauty of that order.
But tie only thing envy her is the fit of her
party dresses; and they are exquisite. But
come, Ad +! do, for mercy's sake, throw aside
that book, and try on your dress want to see
if that is ruined too"
A tall, slender girl, with long, light curls,
complexion of pale hue, and altogether list
less, inane air-quite the opposite to her rosy,
stout, black-eyed sister-rose slowly from her
chair, drawn close over the register, and thrust
ing her book among the cushions of the lounge,
lifted dress of pale blue Grape.
+" La, Henrietta, wish you wouldn't teaze
one SO ! Here it is scarce three, and you're in
fever about dressing for the evening dare
say my dress suits let Caroline alter yours
know she can let it out must finish this
volume before | dress for just come to the
most interesting portion, where the Count Ru-
dolph-"
' There don't want to hear word about
it I'm sick of novels, novels, from morning
70 3isht! # you choose ia rnin your ewes with
reading in this dark chamber-and if you
choose to tumble your clothes on, and hurry
down to receive guests-I'm sure | don't care.
You're always tagging, and you know it but
tonight of all nights I shall take pains with
my toilet No doubt but you'd make an i'm
preston on Cousin Ralph if he could see you
now in that old wrapper, and with your hair in
that state Remember, he has seen the most
elegant ladies of Europe, and mingled in the
most aristocratic society abroad and am de-
termined to show him that our soirees are the
most recherche of the Trimountain City. He
used to fancy Maria Chamberlain; but don't
mean that shall be revived for to tell the
truth, Ad, If there's any virtue in manage
ment, mamma and have concluded it wouldn't
be wise to suffer Ralph-handsome, talented
anu Wlbu ouCll " bCitCb " NllO UuU~
side the family, And 30, when was in at
Hovey's, and saw Maria ordering a new dress
for our levee, | Immediately resolved to get
something more elegant, Papa demurred, and
protested he couldn't afford it but mamma
and gained our point, as we always do
Mamma such capital manager Papa vowet
at first it would ruin him to pay costs for the
party ; but mamma carried the point not only
in the party, but the dresses. Yours is sweet
delicate thing quite suited to your style ; bu
mine is such an exquisite shade That hatefu
Modiste I verify believe she intended to ruin
it I" And Henrietta Balfour again took NJ
the dress she had but a few moments previou
thrown from her, her face crimson with vexa
ton.
Cousin Henrietta, perhaps | can alter tn
dress. I'm sure there is time before evening,
said slight, delicate, blue-eyed girl, advancing
from window where hidden in the full hang
ings, she had set at her sewing
L" You here, Cad Thought you in the nur
sery p exclaimed Miss Balfour, crimsonin,
deeper with modification. But havnt
told you--and, if hav'n't do now-never t.
cousin me again ? Next thing, shall hav
you coming into the drawing room, and pro
claiming GU relationship before our guests
thanksto papas plan of adopting poor relation
into the family! There take the dress, an
see what you can do with it Be sure an
don't fray the satin. Inever had the knaek {
altering dresses" And, with scornful tos
af her head, she turned away.
Caroline Lindsay gathered up the rich sati
robe--a painful flush of wounded feeling stane
her delicate cheek-and turned to leave tn
chamber On the threshold, she paused, look
ing steadily into the naughty girls face
i" Henrietta BaIfour," she said, quietly Z" yo
need never fear my ever calling you cousin
again. [ should have known better than t
use term expressing relationship which you
actions have ignored long since, even on til
first day when a homeless orphan was receive
under your kind fathers roof" Then 81
went out quickly.
What insolence ~ said Henrietta, with
hasty laugh = What business has she to r.
ply? Just the same as beggar, I'm sure
papa, did give her home.
Now, Henrietta, I'm sure can't see VIII
YOU don't let Cad alone I'm sure you col
trive to make her very useful. She's alway
sewing and embroidering for you ; and, as ft
intruding herself in company, why, nobody