Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-05
Sflisteuaneous.
THE COUSINS WAGER,
CONCLUDED
Y LAURA 1. CURTIS.

| Tue day came at last, and the party set
out in high glee. Miss Bell, very pretty
young lady, was Toms companion, and she
took her seat in his carriage, with self-sat-
isfed air, for her cavalior was decidedly the
beau of the party. But her exultation was
short lived for the horse which Mr. Latimer
drove was very spirited and not well bro
ken animal, and Miss Bell was very cow
ard. She tried to control herself, and laugh
and talk gaily; but in vain-the blood would
forsake her lips and cheeks; and her heart
would almost stand still at each bound of
1 the fiery steed. At last she fairly grasped
the reins in her instant terror, and nearly
overturned the carriage-so unexpected was
this movement to her companion. Nothing
provokcs gentleman more than such ma
noeuvre on the part Of a lady; and it was all
Tom could do to keep from speaking sharp
" to Miss Bell. He was so, indeed, deci-
ded in his tone and words as he represented
he danger Of her interference with the horse,
that she regained sufficient self control to
prevent the repetition finer though
she trembled in every limb. The rest of
the drive passed without any assistance on
her part, or any accident; but she had quite
enough for one day. Ass8 @
She enjoyed the picnic as did all the par
ty much; and here Tom for the first time
paid good deal Of attention to Harry which
she received so graciously, as to afford him
an opportunity for many sly glances at Kate.
And poor Kitty fairly trembled for her
friend
At last she could endure it no longer
After Harry and Tom returned from
long stroll which they had taken together,
she approaches her friend, whose side Tom
had Quilted for a few moments and said soft
ly: aas 81. sH. .saa aeys
Take care Harry Tom is sad Airt'
Don't be alarmed Kitty replied her
friend stroking her brow curls, carelessly,
i understand him perfectly s@
Kitty moved away, quite relieved of a
load Of self reproach and anxiety. ....
It was growing twilight when the party.
| first thought of returning to the village
All Miss Bells fears, which had slumbered
during the day, were now fully awakened.
She declared privately to the girls, with
tears in her eyes, that she never could ride
back behind that dreadful horse, 'and she
begged them, in turn to exchange places
with her.
[ Popular as Tom was, the character Of his
horse was too generally understood to make
any one ambitious, in the growing darkness
/ of being his companion. At last NJ IS Bell
turned to Harry who was known to be cou-
rageous and besought her to 60 back with
Mr.. Latimer. a aa 'ila s54
At first Harry hesitated; but finally she
consented. She settled the matter with her
own escort and then approached Tom and
stated the case to him. Hevery gallantly
expressed his willingness to accede to the
new arrangement.
1t tickled his vanity no little to find that
after ones day devotion, Harry Frazer vol
untarely put herself for an hour tete-a-tete
with man whom she had pronounced bore.
But his attention was soon entirely claimed
by his horse. who became almost unman-
lageable.
Harry sat quietly, without sign Of ter
ror; and after Tom had succeeded in cur
bing his steed-for he was really skillful
driver-he tnrned to his companion, remar-
king:
Then you are not afraid. even after Miss
Bells story Of hair breadth escapes to put
yourself under my care.
! 'Notat ALL, she replied.
I am much obliged to you for your conf
dence in my skill
Harry laughed.
1 Don't be too grateful she said, | have
perfect confidence in you now, but | confess
that when I stepped into the buggy had
not the slightest faith in your skill as dri-
! yer. M
twas very heroic in you, replied Tom
a little piqued TO sacra6ce yourself 70,