The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-03-07
COUSIN BEN.

Visitors exclaimed Kate Bennett impa-
tiently rs she laid aside the book she had
been reading, aud in which she had been
deeply interested, and took the cards which
the servant presented.
Dear me, how provoking! Just as | am in
the most interesting part of my story-and
thai pert, disagreeable Emily Archer, too,
she added, reading one OF the cards; who
else, | wonder? ~
Was there magic in that simple bit of
pasteboard, inscribed with only two words,
Richard Warren? II would almost seem so,
so instantaneous did her countenancc change
The frown that diaigured her beautiful brow
disappeared her eyes sparklcd, and without
another thought Of the book, she hastily as.
sured herself by glance in the mirror, that
her toilet was uneXceptiOnable, and left the
room.
As she entered the drawing room, and
greeted her guests with all that grace and Gle
gance Of manner for which she was distin
guished, Emily Archer surveyed her with
one rapid critical glance; but dress, as well
as manner, was iaultless.
II must he confessed that Kate Bennett en-
tiers Il room like a Queen, she thought, with
apang of envy and jcalosy, as in Richard
Warrens face she read the undisguiscd admir-
alton of the lovely girl before him.
What casual observer, who had marked the
meeting of these two ladies, would have
dreamed that under all their outward friend.
Illness each hated the other with her whole
heart? Yet twas SO. Kate and Emily were
rival bellies, and their claims to admiration
were so equally balanced that it required no
little eXertlon on either side TO gain ascend.
ancy and be acknowledged the victor.
If Kate, with her classical features, quecnly
dignity, elegant figure, and exquisite taste,
at first sight threw her rival in the shade,
Emily's piquant style and sprightly CONVEX.
sation were by many preferred to Hates sta
tuesque beauty. 1t was impossible to decide
which was the lovelest--cach had her ad-
herents and admircrs-but as they were
equally numerous il seemed probably that
The season would draw to close without the
all Important decision of the question which
had been, par excellence, the belle.
Just at the time Richard Warren returned
from Europe. The arrival of so undeniahly
elegant handsome and wealthy gentleman
was an event. all the fashionable world was
in futter, and the rivals saw at once that
the important epoch had arrived. She whose
claims he advocated, whom he favored with
his admiration, would ut once stand upon the
precarious pinnacle of belleship, though
their tactics were entirely different.
Emily brought to bear upon him the bat.
ter.es OF her sprightly Wit, while Kate appar.
emily laid the mine OF queenly Indifference.
As yet, though it was evident that Richard
admired both, his preference WINS not known
perhaps he hardly knew himself which one
he deemed the most charming.
But digging this exposition of the claims Of
the rivals a lively conversation had been GO
ing on The last new novel and the opera
had been discussed, as well as some Of their
mutua! friend; and in the midst of some
wickedy witty remarks of Emily upon a
would-beilshionable lady a loud voice was
heard Ia the hall. 1t came nearer the door
and the words could be distinctly under
stood.
You no hrained, impudcnt jackanapes, I'll
teach you manners; I'll make YOU laugh on
tother side Of your mouth.
Ihe door was flung open, and In walked q
tall, athsc!ic yonrg man, whose really fine
form Yves disguised in an i'll fitting suit OF
evidently domestic manufacture. and stood
for u moment awkwardly looking round him
then hastily approaching Kate, he flung hi.
arms around her, and gave her loud smack
on the cheek
She withdrew herself quickly and haughti
ly from his embrace.
Sir! said she with freezing dignity
Law don't you know who be? exclam
ed the new conner, in no wise diSconcertet
Wall, now do actually believe you've TO
rot me. Don't yer know yer cousin Ben
Ye see, don't like farming no how you ca
fix it, so quit that and came 10 the cit
Jim Sampson was down 10 our place, an
he is doing fust rate here. He said.it W,
dreadful hard to get start in the city, b,
guess Amt going to slump through whel
he gets ahead. I'll risk it anyhow.
Kate, at the commencement of this specc
had alternately flushed and paed for she w
deeply mortified that Richard Warren al
Emily Archer should have witnessed such
scene She caught a triumphant glance fro
Emily. Itrestored her pride
With all the grace Of which she was nj
tress she turned to the new conner
You must excuse me, Cousin Ben, 81
said had forgotten you. A few years NAL
a change, and can hardly retrace in 20
couptenance q feature that reminds me oil q
lad who went hunting with me in the de
Ala woods of Hampton. Allow me, MI