Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-16
MAX AND BIRDIE.
A Tale of the Great Memphis
ScOurge.

|
There was a great excitement in ou1
little household when Robert came
home one evening and announced tina
Cousin Max was coming to visit us
We girls had never seen him, but Rob
ert and he had spent year together OF
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 will
| us.
Max was quite alone in theworld, oul
aunt and her husband both dying wher
he was quite young. He was almost
Roberts age-was tall and fair, and
that was all we knew. Robert-nevel
very good at description-had indeed
attempted to give us some idea of his
appearance, 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 a lawyer, like our father-sup-
ported us very comfortably.
Sometimes caught myself wishing
that Claire Claire was our beauty
could have the purple and fine linen
which seemed her right. and that Bird
les exquisite voice might be properly
trained; but if l 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 a
description of the life she would lead
as prima donna, and how every night
she would see old Rob and Oracle look
ing severe propriety from one of the
boxes. And so my little trouble al
ways ended with a laugh.
l was the old maid in the family,
Robert was the only one that knew
why, and kept my secret faithfully. [
had got over being unhappy about it.,
and Robert and l made our plans very
contentedly-how we could live ON in
the old home when the others had fit
ted, and what genuine "Old maids
CASTLE it would be. l 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 unexpect-
edly at last. We were sitting in the
porch-Claire, Birdie and I-when we
saw Robert coming, and with him a
stranger, who Birdie declared she was
sure was Consin Max. He was talking
and laughing with Robert, but l noticed
that, as they came closer, he started
violently and passed his hands over his
eyes; but recovering himself Immediate
ly he greeted us with genuine warmth
of affection, which took all our hearts
by storm.
A gay evening we passed! Coming
events" no not least their shadows be-
fore" whatever people may say. | had
never known how really beautiful
Birdie was, till that night, but as she
stood by the piano, in her soft white
dress, with the passion-fowers in her
hair. saw Cousin Max gazing at her
like one entranced. Claire's beauty
did not seem to impress him at all, per-
haps because she was so ike himself
for indeed they might have been brother
and sister. Both had the same regu-
lar features, blue eyes and blonde hair
Beside them Birdie looked like some
tropical flower. Max was never tired
Of watching her quick, graceful mo-
tons, and Robert and l had a laugh
together over our little pets conquest.
Cousin Max was soon thoroughly at
home with us all, though Birdie still
kept her place as chief favorite. They
were much together, for Claire was
soon to leave the old home, and our
new brother, Alfred, spent most of his
time with us. l was very closely occu-
pied 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 picture.
TheSest of us were excluded from the
studio; for, as it was his first attempt at
portrait painting, We were not to be al
lowed to judge of his success or failure
until the picture WAS finished.
Blind-blind! Did no one of us ever
see that the child smile had passed
away from our darling's 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 onmy birth
day, and was the gift of Max to me.
We were all taken in to see it, and
never since have l beheld so beautiful
a picture BRIDES very self stood be-
fore us, dressed as Max had first seen
her. But the face-the exquisite dewy
softness of her eyes-the lips, just
parted in a happy smile! The others
were congratulating Max. | could only
clasp Birdie in my arms, and hide my
foolish tears on her shoulder. .
That evening we were all sitting in
the moonlight. Max was smoking by
the window, and Birdie in her usual
place on afootstool at his side. He was
unusually silent, and unless by and Oc-
casional word to Birdie took no part in
the conversation. The room was food
ed with the clear brillianceof the moon
light, and every one protested against
| lamps. Robert and Alfred were argu-
ing as to the reality Of supernatural
manifestations. The possibility Of a
second self appearing to warn one of
approaching death was mentioned, and
| Claire turned suddenly to Max:
Max, you are a German, and should
know about such things-you tell us. "
His face was clearly defined by the
light streaming through the open win
dow, and 1 saw his lips compress sud
denly; but when he spoke it was in his
usual even tone.
Il certainly believe such a thing pos.
sible, Claire. Indeed, l may say
know it TO be So"
80, Il story! Cousing Max, story.
Tell us how you know" said Claire
eagerly.
He smiled slightly. ut is strange
but have been thinking of this very
subject. If l tell you, however, you
must expect me to be egotistical, for ii
is a leaf out Of my own life L mus
show you
Something in his tone impressed us
all, and we sat very silent. waiting fol
him to commence. Brides eyes were
lifted wistfully to his face, but his were
fixed ON the stars beyond.
I -,