Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-16
THE COUNTRY COUSIN.


little brown carpet bag, Elkaniah, and the
green umbrella, and the paper o ginger
cookies ?''
Yes, mother-all right"
''And the bag of gillifower apples p
them II be real treat to your city cousins.
There amt many just such apple trees as
ourn l'
They re under the wagon seat, mother.
Good bye!'
Elkaniak Carey bent his tall figure to
leave cordial kiss on the brown, wrinkled
cheek of the old lady who stood there, her
cap-strings blowing back in the chill No
vember wind, and her neat white apron fut,
tering like the sails of frigate. And, six
footer though he was, there was a dewey
moisture in his eyes as he drove briskly way
in the direction of the car depot. Elkaniah
had been looking forward to this visit for
weeks yet when the moment of parting
came, the big, warm hearted fellows heart
yearned tenderly toward the kind old moth
er, who was left behind
''It's kind O. hard to have Elkaniah go"
thought Mrs. Carey, turning back to her
cheerful fireside, as the rattle of the wheels
over the frozen road died away but to be
sure he'll enjoy himself in York. Cousin
Jacob Payne's folks have heen here many
summer, and We never had no chance to re-
turn their visits yet. / wonder if Frank
as pretty as she used to be! That was the.
reason EIkaniah bought that new spotted
neck handkerchief and the velvet vest J. ad-
ded the old lady with an internal chuckel.
''He always did have a kind o sneakin fan
cy for Frank Payne-and no wonder ~
And Mrs. Carey gazing dreamily into the
blazing fire of hickory logs, saw, not the red
dening embers, but the outlines of dark
gypsy face, overarched by ietty brows, and
cheeks whose crimson bloom came and went
at every breath.
And no wonder!" repeated Mrs. Carey
to herself.
1t was quite dark when Elkaniah Carey
walked up the handsome, broad street on
which Jacob Payne's mansion was situated
the blind. pitchy darkness ola November
night, with white gusts of snow eddying a
cross the lines of light that streamed from
innumerable gas lamps. and melancholy
wind murmuring softly round the brick and
mortar angles.
''Nine clock" said Elkaniah, consulting
his huge silver watch, under one of the bril-
liant gas jets; its very late. | hope they
won all be gene to bed They'll be glad
10 see me anyway, and that's something
when a man has travelled all day -
But Elkaniah Carey might have spared
his anxiety on the subject of the Payne fam
lily having gone to bed" The house was
in a blaze of light, the street was full of car
riages, between the translucent purple silk
curtains Elkaniah' astouished eyes caught
here and there the flash of prism loaded
chandeliers and the glow OF hot house
flowers.
''I IN in luck, thought hone>t Elkaniah,
with proud consciousness of the spotted
neckerchief and the wine coored velvet vest.
They We got company.
And Elkaniah, contidert of welcome,
boldly ascended the steps and rang the door
bell
I've come to see cousin Payne's folks, :
he said to the sable servitor; mil ddmurd
ri system, bowed low and flung the doors
wide open.
Frank Payne stood in the midst of her
guests, like little oriental queen, her float
ing dress OF diaphauous pink creps giving
additional glow to her dark rich beauty, and
long trails of odorous jessamine dropping a
mong her jet black curls. while the velvet
bloom upon her cheek, seemed to glow and
deepen like the rich color in the heart of
newly blossomed rose. But the curve of her
lips scarcely betokened pleasure, and her
eyes-deep, dusky stars of sparkled
ominously as she withdrew her slight GLOW
ed hand from Elkaniah $ horny grasp.
Don't sir ! You hurt me.
While Mrs. St. Sandalle giggled behind
her fan and whispered to Frank;
My dear, what relic of the dark ages
have you here p
Frank, aren't you glad to see me 2 fal-
tered Elkaniah. the brown of his complexion
The surprise and modification which had
cost Frank Payne momentary loss of her
presence of mind subsidized into cold, conven-
tonal politencss.
Il am very happy, | am sure, to see you
here to night, Mr.. Carey but it is such an
unexpected pleasurel"
Mr.. Carey T. The words fell on Elkani
abs ear like ice. Was this the loving little
fairy who had set among the fragrant hay
piles on the old barn floor with him? who
had threaded the rustling midsummer woods
by his side? Elkaniah ielt strange and be-
wildered, as if the world had suddenly begun
to turn round the wrong way and the keen
est pang he had ever known, shot ike a
barbed arrow through his heart, as Frank
turned to perfumed and scented exquisite
Mr.. Gustavus St. Sandalle, and whispered
in his ear, with burst of musical laughter.
''She's making fun of me. - thought FL
kadah doloriously. "Well, | spose am
odd and outlandish and strange. I'm not