The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1872-03-28
Cousin Ben.
BY LAURA C. BULLARD.


"Visitorsp % exclaimed Kate Ben.
nett, impatiently, as she laid aside
the book she had been reading, and in
which she had been very deeply in.
terested and took the cards she was
presented.
Dear me, how provoking! Just as
am in the most interesting part OF
the story-and that pert, disagreeable
Emily Archer, tOO," she added, read
ing one of the cards; "who else, L won
der W
Was there magic in that simple bit
of paste-board inscribed onlywith two
words: Richar1 Warren ?" 1t
would almost seem so, so instantane-
Ously did her eOuntenance change,
The frOwn that had disfigured heI
beautiful brow disappeared, her eyes
sparkled, and without another thought
of the book, she hastily assured her
self by glance in the mirror, that heI
toilet was unexceptionable, and left
the room.
As she entered the drawing-room
and greeted her guests with all that
grace and elegance of manner for
which she was distinguished, Emily
Archer surveyed her with one rapid,
critical glance; but dress, as well as
manner, was faultless.
sit must be confessed that Kate
Bennett enters the room like a
queen" she thought, with a pang OF
envy and jealousy, as in Richard
Warren's face she read nndisguised
admiration of fhe lovely girl before
him.
What casual observer, who had
marked the meeting of these young
ladies, would have dreamed that un-
der all their outward friendliness each
hated the other with her whole
heart?
Yet it was so. Kate and Emily
were rival bellies, and their claims to
admiration were 50 equally balanced
that it required no little exertion, on
either side, to gain ascendancy and be
acknowledged as the victor.
If Kate, with her classical features,
queenly dignity, elegant figure, and
exquisite taste, at first sight, threw
her rival into the shade, Emily's piq-
uant style, sparkling, animated coun-
tenance and sprightly conversation,
were by many preferred to Kate's
statuesque beauty.
1t was impossible to decide which
was the lovliest; each had adherents
and admirers, but as they were equal
ly numerous, it seemed probable that
that the season would draw to a close
without the all-important decision OF
the question, which had been, par er.
eeIJence, the belle.
Just at this time, Richard Warren
returned from Europe. The arrival
of so undeniably elegant, handsome,
wealthy gentleman, was an event
all the fashionable world was in 3 fiut-
ter over, and the rivals saw at once
that the important epoch had arrived
! She whose claim he advocated, whom
he favored with his admiration, would
at once stand on the precarious pima.
Gle of belleship. Each left nothing
undOne to win him to her side though
their tactics were entirely different
Emily brought to bear upon him the
batteries of her sprightly wit, while
Kate adrOitly laid the mine of appar.
ent queenly indifference. As yet
/ though it was evident that Richard
admired both, his preference was moi
! known-perhaps he hardly knew
himself which he thought the mos
charming.
But during this exposition of the
claims of the riyass, a lively converse,
ton had been going on. The las
novel and the operas had been dis
cussed, as well as some of their mutu
al friends, and in the the midst o
some wickedly witty remarks of EN-.
lily, on a would-be-fashionable lady, {
loud voice was heard in the hall. i
came nearer the door, and the word
could be distinctly understood:
"YOu nO-brained, impudent Jacka
napes, Ull teach you manners. III
make you laugh pOther side o. you
mouth :"