The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-06-01
misceuann.
Ely COUSINS.

had everything except friends, | would have
given all for something to love, some one to love
me. A stranger in my native place, and sti!i an
invalid from the effects of terrible fever which
had lately FRUSTRATED me, dreaded living In the
old house occupied only by servants.
had an uncle in the west OF England, whom
had not seen since child. He had married a
widow with two little girls. I wondered if he
had vet room in his heart to find place for the
nephew he used to love. | longed TO be among
friends, and thought | might find them in uncie
James and his family | wrote TO him. inviting
myself TO 90 down for short time, adding that
would start that very day. In truth l was
afraid to wait an answer, lest some troublesome
circumstance should shut me up at home But
when fairly on my wav troubled myself some
what about my probable reception, and devoutly
hoped the two little girls would be no annoy
anoe.
1t was nirht when 7 arrived. Uncle james
met me with hearty greeting at the station, and,
after a very short drive, ushered me into his
drawing room, and introduced me to his wife and
two daughters
Mrs GRAY, Uncle James wife, was fair look
ing woman, of soft and pleasant speech, and won'
nv heart Immediately by her gentle, motherly
WAYS Bel, the eldest daughter, was tall. grace
full girl, with fair complexion, clear, dark eyes,
and beautiful hands that toyod gracefully with
the knitting she seemed to be so intent on. l
could not help watching them. Indeed, l was
so much taken up with thoughts of Bel that
scarcely bestowed second glance upon Ethel,
the second daughter, who need not have been
contrasted with Bells beauty to be called plain.
At supper, which was soon announced, L could
but notice the difference between the two. Ethel
was not only plain, but exceeding awkward,
while Bel was the embodiment Of grace. Uncle
James and Aunt Mary talked to me about my
travels, my lonely return, and other things; but
Tn sure couldn't have repeated word the
next moment, so perfectly engrossed was by the
beautiful eldest daughter.
The heat of the summer was gone, and 1T was
the pleasantest time in the year for the long,
delightful rambles which we took over field and
hill. Ethel scarcely ever accompanied us; but
one day we had all been rambling in the woods
that skirted Round pond, beautiful sheet of
water that Law near my uncles residence; and
as we strolled homeward we stopped to look over
the bank into its quiet depths.
ooh" said Bel, "do you see those beautiful
flowers further down on the bank: How fresh
and bright they look Can you not get me
some 2"
"Oh Bel. it's dangerous said Ethel. .'The
bank is steep, and he would be sure to fall
Before Ethel had finished her remonstrance, L
was half way down, holding by the hanging
branches, and graspng for the flowers The bank
was not only steep, o"l tlIcis ""S AZ $500 AVN
hold on it. slipped and fell
awoke and lay languidly on my pillow, with
out wish or power to raise my head. Suddenly
voices in the next room met my ear, and could
but hear what they were saying. -,
"Do. Bel. 90 in and stay with him while
help mother finish this" said Ethel; "for I'm
afraid he NAV need something"
"Pooh he will not know it if he does" re-
Piled Bel. HE is delirious. How can read
in there, and he all the time raying about some
body or other"
he means YOU. When he was well, you We're
glad to lay by your book, interesting as II m'sh'
be. for him"
..Of course" said Bel; "and shall be again.
when he comes to his senses. He is rich, and
worth putting up ones book for. But II you
think I'm going in there to read now, you are
mistaken so 20 yourself, nyou're afraid to leave
him alone"
heard soft football in my room, then some
one bent over me- q had shut my eyes as though
sleeping) and close to my forehead was bent
soft cheek-moist, too! 1t was only for a moment,
but it thrilled me, knowing those tears had fallen
for me.
As she turned to go noselessly out, l opened
INV eyes, Yes, it was Ethel gliding slowly away
heard her say as she entered the other apart
ment. "Oh, Bel, he is sleeping sweetly. am
30 thankful Now I'll help mother finish her
work, and then I'll come in and sit by him while
he sleeps"
"No, you needn't" said Bel "I'll go AMI
change nv dress and arrange my hair, and go
myself Perhaps he will know us when he
wakes"
Then slept, and when I opened my eyes
again, I saw Aunt Mary and the girls sitting in
the room at work.
Aunt Mary came to the bed and laid her hand
on my forehead, saying tenderly, "You have
been i'll long time, but you are better now, and
must be very careful. Dc not talk, but let every
thing rest till you are little stronger"
was going to ask some questions with regard
to my illness, but shut my lips again and kept
quiet; but my gaze wandered to Bel, who sat
near me- She raised her beautiful eyes, full of
tears, from her work and smiled, then dropped
her long lashes again and worked on quietly. l
did not watch the soft, white, fitting hands, rs
it had once been my Joy to do, but my glance
wandered to the window where Ethel sat, and
though she did not raise her eyes, l watched her
as she worked. Her face, it seemed to me, was
thinner ond paler than had ever seen it, but
her light brown hair was brushed back in the
same glossy waves from her forehead. / fell
asleep wctching her, and dreamed she was trying
to pull me out of the water; but Bel held her
back, and kept calling on me to get her some
flowers which l could not reach.
Several weeks passed, during which gained
strength rapidly. Bell was all attention, and
always alone with rae in the forenoon. Once it
would have filled Inc with JOY to have her near
me; now l cared no more for her than should
Tor waxen doll, and l hailed the afternoon with
pleasure, for it always brought Aunt Mary and
Ethel One Of the girls read aloud, and thus the
hours passed very pleasantly.
AT last | was able to 90 about again. The