The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-12-04
:; MAX AND BIRDIE,

4foo, MAX AND BIRDIE,
esAlFale Of the Great Memphis scourge. q
There was great excitement in our little
household when Robert came home one even
Eng and announced that Cousin Max was COM
Ing, TO visit us. We girls had never seen him,
but Robert and he had spent year together
en- the continent, when our father was alive
and money was plentiful with US. Since then
our German cousins name had been almost a
household word for US.
Max was quite alone in the world, cur aunt
and her husband both dying when he was quite
young. He was almost Roberts age-was tall
and fair, and that was all we knew. Robert
pager very good at description indeed
attempted to give US some idea of his appear
arce, but was silenced by Claire and Birdie,
who both exclaimed that they would rather
keep their fancy picture than the caricature
they knew he was drawing We were very
happy together and contented generally. We
had been able to keep the house, and Roberts
income from his profession-he was lawyer,
like our father-supported us very comfortably.
Sometimes Icaught myself wishing that
Claire fClaire was our beauty could have the
@purple and fine linen" which seemed her
right, and that Brides exquisite voice might
be properly trained; but if limited this,
Claire would kiss me gaily, asking me if she
wasn't pretty enough to suit me as she was, and
Birdie would dash off into description of the
life she would lead as prima donna, and how
every night she would see old Rob and Oracle
boxing severe propriety from one of the boxes.
And so my little trouble always ended with a
laugh.
was the old maid in the family, Robert was
tho only one that knew why, and kept my Sc
cret faithfully. had got over being unhappy
about it, and Robert and I made our plans
very contentedly-how we could live on in the
elHhome when the others had fitted, and what
genuine Haold maids CASTLE it would be. |
was to Robert what the others-dearly as he
loved them-never quite could be, and we did
not think our separation possible.
We had expected Cousin Max, for weeks, and
yet he came quite unexpected at last We
Were sitting in the porch-claire, Birdie and
L--When ne saw Robert coming, and with him
o stranger, whom Birdie declared she was sure
was Cousin Max. He was talking and laugh
ing with Robert, but I noticed that, as they
came closer, he started violently and passed
his hands over his eyes but recovering him
self Immediately he greeted Us with genuine
warmth of affection, which took all our hearts
byIstorm.
"A gay evening we passed! "Coming events
do not scast their shadows BEFORE whatever
people may say. / had never known how
neatly beautiful Birdie was till that night, but
as she stood by the piano. in her soft white
dreiJs, with the on-fowers in her hair, ]
saw Cousin Max gazing at her like one en-
tfanced. Claire's beauty did not seem to i'm
press him at all, perhaps because she was SO
Gke himself for indeed they might have been
brother and sister, Both had the same regular
features, blue eyes and blonde hair. Beside
them Birdie looked like some tropical flower.
Max was never tired of watching her quick,
graceful motions, and Robert and had laugh
together over our little pets conquest.
Cousin Max was soon thoroughly at home
chief fayorite They were soon to leave the
old home, and our new brother, Alfred, spent
most of his time with us. I was very closely
occupied with my housekeeping, and with
preparations for the wedding, which was to be
in September. Robert was away all day, SO
that Birdie and Max were left to amuse each
other. He was quite an artist, and greatly to
BRIDES delight had offered to paint her pic
t,,re The rest of us were excluded from the
studio; for as it was his first attempt at portrait
painting, we were not to be allowed to judge
of his success or failure until the picture was
finished. E55
Blind-blindl Did no one of US ever see
that the child smile had passed away from our
darlings face? Did no one ever think that the
soft shining in her dark eyes might be the light
of woman's love?
The picture was finished on my birthday,
and was the gift Of Max to me. We were all
taken in to See it, and never since have I be-
held so beautiful picture. BRIDES very self
stood before rs, dressed as Max had first seen
her. But the face-the exquisite dewy softness
of her eyes.-the lips, just parted in happy
srniiei The others were congratulating Max.
I could only clasp Birdie in my arms, and hide
my foolish tears on her shoulder.
That evening we were all sitting in the moon
light. Max was smoking by the window, and
Birdie in her usual place on 9 footstool at his
side He was unusually silent, and unless by
an occasional word to Birdie took no part in
the conversation. The room was flooded with
the clear briIliance of the moonlight, and every
one protested against lamps. Robert and Al.
fred were arguing as to the reality of super
natural manifestations. The possibility of a
second self appearing to warn one of approach
ing death was mentioned, and Claire turned
suddenly to Max:
Max, you are German, and should know
shout such things-you tell u.s."
His face was clearly defined by the light
streaming through the open window, and saw
his lips compress suddenly; but when he spoke
it was in his usual even tone.
,."I certainly believe such thing possible,
Claire. Indeed, may say know it to be so"
"Oh, q story Cousin Max, a storyl Tell us
how you know" said Claire, eagerly.
He smiled slightly. 1T is strange, but
have been thinking of this very subject. IF I
tell you, however, you must expect me to be
egotistical, for it is a leaf out of my own life
must show you" '''''