The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-07-26
My Cousins.
BY H. W.

BY II. W.
I was at home at last, after ten years
of wandering; at home, yet alone in
the world. Though | had every thing
except friends, l would have given all
for something to love, some one to
love me- A stranger in my native
place, and still an invalid from the eff
feet Of Il terrible fever which had lately
/ prostrated me, / dreaded living in the
old house, occupied only by servants
l had an uncle in the West of Eng
land, whom | had not seen since a
child. He had married a widow with
two little girls. / wondered if he had
yet room in his heart to find place
for the nephew he used to love.
longed to be among friends, and
thought l might find them in Uncle
James and his family. l wrote to him,
inviting myself to 60 down for a short
time, adding that / would start that
very day. In truth, was afraid to
wait an answer lest some troublesome
circumstance should shut me up at
home. But when fairly ON my way,
troubled myself somewhat about my
probable reception, and devoutly
hoped the two little gills would be no
annoyance.
1t was night when | 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 a
fair-looking woman, of soft and pleas
ant speech, and won my heart immedi-
ately by her gentle motherly ways.
Bel, the eldest daughter, was tall,
graceful girl, with fair complexion,
clear, dark eyes, and beautiful hands
that toyed gracefully with the knitting
she seemed to be intent on. could
not help watching them. Indeed /
was SO much taken up by thoughts of
Bel, that | scarcely bestowed a second
glance upon Ethel, the second daugh-
ter who need not have been contrast
ed with Bells beauty to be called plain
At supper, which was soon announced
could but notice the difference be.
tween the two Ethel was not only
plain, but exceedingly 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 I'm sure l
couldn't have repeated n word the next
moment, SO perfectly engrossed vas L
by the beautiful eldest daughter.
The heat of the summer was gone,
and it 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 wood that skirted Round Pond,
beautiful sheet of water that lay near
my uncle's residence; and as we
strolled homeward, we stopped to look
over the bank into its quiet depths.
"Ohw said Bel, edo you see those
beautiful flowers further down on the
bank How fresh and bright they
look Can you not get me some ?"
ooh Bel, it's dangerous" said
Ethel. "The bank is steep, and he
would be sure to fall. +"
Before Ethel had finished her re-
monstrance L was half way down,
holding by the hanging branches, and
grasping for the flowers. The bank
was not only steep, but there was no
firm foothold on it. slipped and
fell
=
awoke, and lay languidly on my
pillow, without 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 may need
something"
"Pooh he will not know it if he
does, replied Bel. "He is delirious.
How can | read in there, and he all
the time raying about somebody or
other ?"
ooh for shame Bel !" said Ethel.
"You know he means you. When he
is well, you were glad to lay by your
book, interesting as it might 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 if you think I'm gong
in there to read now. you are mistak-
en-; so go yourself, if you're afraid to
leave him alone"
[ heard soft football in my room,
then some one bent over me had
shut my eyes as though sleeping, and
close to my forehead was bent soft
cheek-moist, too 1t was only Tor a
moment, but it thrilled me, knowing
those tears had fallen for me.
AS she turned to go nolselessly out,
/ opened my eyes. Yes 1t was Ethel