Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-07-29

rs the eye CO0lO reach, ana nn0lIy OlSMlS-
eed my cousin from my thoughts with the
consolatory reflection that the chances were
very remote of my over falling in love will,
ono who appeared to delight more in man.
ly sports than in womanly duties. :
Soon after dinner my uncle related the
cause of his long arrangement from my
father, and tho manner in which they be-
came reconciled, concluding with an ex-
preston of sincere regret that the misun-
derstanding had not been consigned to OBJ
long before, and however much I felt in
clined to find fault with tho odd ways OF
my cousin, could not help admiring my
uncle's candor, and good feeling. In fact
I dismissed the subject from my mind, un-
der the conviction that, like most family
jars there had been fault on both sides.
had now been. a guest at Marston Hall
nearly three weeks; during which time
had made myself familiar with tho sur
rounding country, invariably joining my
cousin in her long rides, drives, out-of-tho-
way ramblea, and strange to say tho first
few days suf1iced to makeus good friends.
For soon perceived that she by no means
answered my first description, but, on the
contrary possessed many good qualities,
which in spite of my bachelor prejudices
could not help approving, though could
never find courage enough to indicate such
approval in words, until so far forgot my.
self as to express my surprise, in saunter-
ing tono, that 80 accomplished and delight
full companion had not a host Of beaux al
her feet.
s'Sir" she exclaimed in voice and with
a glance that made mo decidedly uncom-
f L. A,sA t.
wrong and foolish in our sex, but in yours
and never can be love, might indeed
have many admirers, like other young Ia
dies of my acquaintance but do not want
them. No, cousin, when acknowledge an
almirer the feeling must be mutual"
IF have offended You my dear cousin, -
sid I, '.surely you will not refuse your for
giveness ?"
''You have not offended me, "she replied;
''only ] wish you to understand that I fool
strongly and think deeply on tho subject Of
your remark, and therefore cannot suffer
the advances of lovers whom can neither
respoct for their wisdom nor esteem
for their goodness" Then, in a
light satirical tone, she added, ''But in
truth T do not think shall accept an offer,
however tempting, for long time yet.
love my own way, cousin. l like liberty
and admire independence. In short, am
such an odd, queer person 80 very unsenti-
mental in my conversation with young gen.
tlemen, that verify sometimes believe I
shall enjoy tho exquisite pleasure Of dying
On old maid"
On hearing this confession laughed out
right.
'sOf course you may laugh, sir, and so
may I; but that won't increase my PROS
poets Of marriage" she added smilingly.
''Egad, Fred WAS right thought I; "sho
really ia q splendid girl. II felt my love of
bachelorhood growing legs. '"Now il she
was only tender, delicate and sympathizing
ct home, instead of being so partial to
horses, would forswear my determination
not to make fool Of myself But tush
why should I give why to such nonsehsel
I'll think no more about her."
"Hallo! cousin, have you fallen into a
brown study through abmiring tho color Of
your nag ?" said my companion, with oneof
her short, merry laughs. -. ~
''No-no -,tl,at is Il was inst absent lor
the moment" stammered ont. ssa
doubtless present in spirit with dome
fair but distant object" she observed, aSain
laughing louder and more merrily than te-.
fore. ! y.
This thrust reused mo thoroughly, and
porceiving that my companion was bent
upon trying to get me into m ill-hdmor
with myself, I resolved to tell a fib, and nip
her project in the bud. 80 :.
"No, you are quito mistaken, cousin, -
said very gravely; ''for was just then
thinking Of tho advisibility of returning to
London" ITS:
"Well, then, I beg to inform you, in tho
plainest possible forms, that you arc ex-
tremely unkind in allowing any such idea
to enter your mind, she replied in a half.
offended and half-playfnl tone; and then, az
if desirious of avoiding pursuing the sub
ject any further, she continued, ':But
come, we shall never got back to tho Hall
right before us. Don't be afraid of the
fence; it isn't much, and your horse has
gone over il often." And away she went al
flying galiop. I ~loaaewee, az sne crleo;
"Keep we'll up,> cousin-you'vo improved
wonderfully. kgs5 +
I did keep as "woll up" M could; but
on leaping tho horse stumbled, and 7. fell.
I don't know how long lay insensible on
tho ground, but do know that tho acci.
dent proved serious one.
Many hours elapsed before recovered
consciousness, and on opening my eyes,
found myself in Marston Hall, feeling very
weak, with an indistinct recollection on my
brain of having had long but painful
dream. As lay, gazing at the various oh.
jects around me, could scarcely believe
was under my uncle's roof, there seemed tc
be such on Dir of death-ike stiffness reign
ing over the whole household. 1 listened
for some time but could not hear tho leas
indication OF life and motion, and was be-
ginning to get weary Of my oppressive lon
linefs, when slight rustling noise near thu
| door of tho apartment, arrested my atten
ton. Then imagined could hear til,
subdued accents of low, sweet voice. ani
in another moment the door opened slowl.
and my cousin Agnes stood before, mo
fairer and lovlier than over, her handsome
features now saddened with an expressio,
OF deepest sympathy, her whole name
so changed, that looked upon her 81
some ministeringhngel. made an!!attemp
to speak, butsshe raised her hand and mo
toned mo to Keep silent.
'You havo boon ill, cousin, very ill,
she said in tone scarcely louder than ,
whisper; ''and now you must keep perfect
ly QUOT. To. morrow, perhaps you Will By
much better and thon you can speak t
mo, but not now, have been anxiousl,
waiting until you awakod, that You mn,
take some refreshmont which hive pre-
pared for you; but must beg your promis
not to think about anything until you fee
qnite we'll again."
| motionod obedience, bnt with faint
but grateful smile she withdrew as noislcss
ly as she came.
Many long and weary night elapsed
before I recovered the shock my System
had received. Many times I listened cager
ly, during that long illness, for my kin,
and lovely nurse, and every timo sho came
seemed to acquire fresh strength and enol
Ky to bear the bodily pain was compelled
| to suffer.
At length. found myself sufficient