The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-04-02
COUSIN JANE.

II pleasant U1ubuluB Ui4AC ny SCN9-
in 1ooked-almost pretty and quite
happy. Mr. Forbes was, as usual,
very handsome; little pale, perhaps,
but / am bound to say he went
through the trying marriage ceremO-
ny with manly foftitude. When 1t
was over he seemed to have cast a
weight of care away, and accepted our
congratulations and good wishes with
something like a happy smile. The
wedding breakfast was late. and / did
not see much of him before we all sat
down but when we did so, | thought
Mr.. Forbes looked a very excltable
bridegroom, and that even quiet little
Jane had very ftful spirits for bride.
| drew no conclusions, however, until
hJane entered the library. where l
stood alone, to bid me goodbye. We
had spent many pleasant hours IN
that library, and / did not wonder
| that Jane showed some emotion
on finding me there. But when she
came up to me, and, instead Of taking
my hand, threw her arms around my
neck and laid her cold cheek to mine,
and burst into sObs and tears, felt
wonder verging on alarm.
Jane, my dear girl, my darling,
what ails your" | said, anxiously.
4" am going away" she sobbed;
oh, cousin William, am going
awayl'
She would say no more. She was
going away, but surely she had
known that all along; and surely it
was not to go and leave US that could
put her in such a state of despair as
| this. / could get no explanation
| from her. There was no time. The
carriage was waiting; they were look
ing for her.
. am coming, / am coming, she
| she cried, darting from me, and speak
| ing in a light hearted tone. / follow
| ed her out. Mr.. Forbes handed her
/ into the carriage, stepped In after her,
/ and my little cousin Jane, now Mrs.
I Forbes, was gone forever from
/ amongst US.
Jane had not been long married
when my father died. Aunt Mary
was ordered to the south Of France,
and / remained alone with the house
keeper. These were dreary days 1
/ wished now that / had proposed to
Jane, and married her; | fancied we
should have made happier couple
i t.
! now and then; she never complained,
but she never once said, F" L am hap
| py." She praised Mr.. Forbes and his
house, and spoke of her position and
her comforts-of herself, never. The
theme that most frequently required
in her letters was Arthur, Mr.. Forbes
little boy. She recorded his sayings
and doings with evident fOndness,
and / began to think that young
bride whose mind was so much en-
crossed by her husbands child could
not be very happy one. | had re-
eeived a general invitation to Mr..
Forbes house, aud though Jane did
not once remind me of it, / resolved
to visit the Elms. 1t would be a
change; besides, wanted to see why
Jane was not happy. l am bound to
say that, though my visit was uneX-
pected, Mr., Forbes received me very
cordially
Jane will be delighted to see you,
he said; she is out with my little
boy"
Jane presently came in, with a sick
iy, peevish little fellow-the wonder
full Arthur, about whom she had had
so much to write. She colored on see
ing me, but delight in her face / saw
not. IF | could have believed it OF
Jane, / should have thought she was
sorry had come. She stammered a
welcome, however, but, as l soon per-
celved, stunned every opportunity OF
remaining alone with me- Once ]
caught her on the staircase.
" Well, Jane, are you happy?" ]
! whispered.
o, quite happy" she replied, airi
ly. Is not the Elms a charming
placer And she made her escape.
Yes, the Elms was a charming place
y "a brown old house, spacious and
convenient, with a gay-fower garden
around it, and beyond this a region OIL
ancient elm trees scattered on a grassy
slope. Truly, the mistress of this
pleasant abode and we'll ordered
househOld-the wife of that hand
some, agreeable gentleman-ought tC
have been a happy woman; but she
b. was not. l saw 1t at once. jane haC
grown thin and pale, and looked sac
and careWorn. Nor did Mr. Forbes
look like a happy man. / did not like
the rigid lines which q few months
{ had made 10 his handso me face Ht
was very kind to his wife, and strictl,
polite; but eff fondness. of love, o
Tenderness, I saw no sign. He KEEP
these for his child. who was Ger
I tainly one Of the most ill-natured lit
: tie three year old Bretches / had eve
T seen. Yet Jane seemed to rival he
Z husband in doting affection for tina
little monkey, who had began our &C
i quaintance By making faces at me
} and followed It up by biting my le
/ before dinner He was a GREAT s1f