Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-12-26
Sf(istellaneolls,
WY COUSIN AUGUSTA.

"Augusta st. D ohm, how dare you"'
spoke angrily, and was angry, very
angry, at remark which she had Just
made.
my fair cousin has yet to learn that
Augusta st. John dare anything" she
replied with sneer
GAS far as your own self qualification
and inordinate vanity is concerned,
believe you"
There was contempt expressed in my
tone, and the blood rushed to Augusta S
cheek and she proudly exclaimed:
81 know what you are driving at very
WELL Pauline. You think, with your
prudish notions, that |, the bctrothcd OF
Paul Allison, have no right to encourage
the attention of Claude Savilc; but per
haps you have never heard of such a
thing as Of having two strings to ones
bow"
And she shook back her glossy curls
detiantly.
"And perhaps you have never heard
that lit is well to be off with the old love
before you are on with the new And
| say to you, Augusta st. John, beware
how you play with a heart like Paul AL
lison's. He is not to be triflcd with
neither is Claude Saville; and as, o.
course, you intend to marry Paul"
CAS-, of course, | do not intend tc
marry Paul ! interrupted Augusta, snap
pislly. "Paul Allison is nothing to me,
nor l to him. Claud is rich-Paul is
poor. l leave You to draw your own in
ierences, cousin mine. /, too, am ac-
quainted with the old saying: it is well
to be off with the old love before you are
on with the new"
"But, Augusta, Claude Saville has
never"
AT this point the door opened, and
Claude Savillc himself entered.
My amiablc cousin turned first red and
then white with confusion; but-probably
concluding from his manner that he had
not heard our conversation-she regained
her composure, and was soon chatterng
as blithely as ever.
Claude led Augusta to the piano. She
was splendid performer, therefore never
refused to play; and while the delicious
music tloated through the room, | sat un-
noticed in my retired nook in the deep
bay window, thinking Of Paul Allison
toiing in distant lands, and of how he
would bear the news of his beautiful
Augusta's Inconsistency.
Augusta and Claude were Just preparing
to sing duet, when Agnes Berresford,
the governess entered.
Sliding gracefully to where my cousin
sat, she whispered in her ear.
"Impossible p exclaimed that young
lady, impatiently. "Tell her that ] am
engaged. She must call again. Well
what are you waiting for? Did you not
understand me?" she added, sharply, as
Agnes stood hesitatingly, fer a moment
A faint flash tinged the fair cheek O
the governes s, and she was gone.
Poor and proud p sneered Augusta
eff you'll believe me, Mr.. Seville, thai
creature puts on more airs than if she
were a duchess"
A particular smile hovered around his
moustached lips for second; but he said
simply, that he was impatient for the
song, and was soon wholJ engrossed in
the music again.
| had seen enough to convince me that
Claude Saville was by no means in love
with Augusta St. John. And thought
to myself my beautiful cousin ought to
have made sure of her new love before
she was off with the old. But ] very
wisely held my peace.
a few days after as | entered the library
noiselesSly, intending to surprise my
young cousins, very novel sight met my
eyes. The children were nowhere visible;
but, in the broad window seat, sat Claude
Saville, his arms encircling Agnes Ber,
resforl-Thc govcrness! ga 20
"But Miss st. John?" Agnes was say
ing,
Il tell you, Agnes. l never did moro
than admire Miss Augusta; and ever
my admiration was put to flight, onC
day by happening to overhcar conver
sation not intended for my ears, between
her aud her cousin, How can you think
Agnes, that could love her, knowing
you, my darling, my
thought it proper to ahem Just her,
and Claude, after recovering from hi
momentuous confusion drew the blush
ing girl forwards and exclaimed:
Il know you will congratulate me
Miss Pauline, when | tell you that Ag
mes here has promised to be my wifi
in fortnight.
Before l could reply. Agnes utter
al