The Van Buren press., 1875-06-08
/" Aud will make her his wife p

"What 10 our duty in that case, do
you think Nellie 2"
"For heavens sake say nothing about
it, John. Remember, she is my cousin,
and il isn't as if we were poor I'd rather
Lose five thousand than to have any trou-
BILE of that kind.
Its terribly unpleasant, said |.
"Of course it is--horribe. And she's
so happy, so thoroughly happy, that it
would be pleasure to lock at her if one
didn't think, didn't dread-oh John
John |" and poor Nellie hid her face in
her hands.
And still the purchases continued.
Nellie and said nothing-never asked a
question now, but we were all the time
watching, miserable and unhappy.
Susie must have noticed the change in
us. but she was SO preoccupied with her
love that she probably attributed it to
some other cause.
Harry was now constant visitor. lie
came to my Office one day, and with an
almost radiant face, told me Of his love
for my wite's cousin. =" hope you do
not object, he added, when had heard
him through.
"Why should 2" | asked. "She's
only Nellie's cousin.
I" Hang it man, you're cool enough
about it, anyway, he said Cant you
get up little enthusiasm when fellow
is half beside himself with happiness 2
You don't want her to go, eh p
Il am quite wiling" l answered,
but confess there's no accounting for
tastes She is very far from the person
| fancied would be the choice Of my ias-
tidious friend, Harry Lonsdale. "
All, you are thinking Of our old dis
cussions-but let me tell you, she is per
fectly beautiful in my eyes, and little
short of divinity, Her eyes are Ger
tainly glorious, and then her charming,
winning little ways, and her perfect taste !!
Jove! what exquisite taste,
" That is true, said |.
"Wcll, come. old fellow, I'm glad to
hear you own up to something I'll be
best if shouldn't think, were you sin
ole man, you were in love with her your
self "
My answer quite satisfied him: "lf |
were single, and she the only woman in
the world, | wouldn't marry her.
"Whew well, that's what call tri
ae decided, he said, and went off out Of
temper
Several weeks passed Susie bad mott
fled my wife of her engagement She
could not but be aware of the constraint
in our manner. Nellie and frequently
had little talks together over the matter,
in which we commented upon the strange
good luck that had seemingly oyertaken
three thousand dollars, and her sudden
accession Of costly dresses and jewclry,
did look, to say the least, suspicious.
One day on my return home, my wife
informed me that Susie was intending
to leave US.
She came to me this morning, con
inued Nellie, land told me that Aunt
Cheney had written, saying that she
wished her to return; and as she had a
great deal to do, she thought it better to
have the wedding outfit made there.
said to her, I'VE thosght you would be
married here, Susie She looked stran re
for moment, for she must have seen
how little heart there was in my words
Then she said Aunt Cheney expected the
ceremony to take place there; had, in
fact, been making great preparations
Besides, she quite wanted to see Aunty's
withered old iaee-and there she choked
SO she is going to morrow night, and is
packing now.
would have given the world to be
able to say was sorry, but the truth is,
her presence had become hateful to me
| wanted her to be gone.
We were very polite to the last. ! saw
Susie off in company with my wife. Har-
ry went with her, the happiest man ever
saw.
1t was q relief to behold her vacant
chair her place at the table, to miss her
gliding movements, and we felt that y c
could talk and do as we pleased, with no
spy or aves.dropper in the way. Nellie
missed her for a time, and often talked
and wondered about her, She answered
her first letter, and declined to attend her
wedding, but the second letter remained
unanswered.
Not great while after that, Harry
took a house in the city for his bride, and
saw him occasionally. Towards his
wife | entertained feeling of strong
aversion 1t was she who had broken
up the dear old intimacy, for Harry and
/ had been famous friends, and now be
never called at the office.
We often heard of Mrs. Lonsdalc's re
ceptions, her dinners, her perfect taste,
her fascinating manners, but we never
called.
1t was late in the following season be-
fore we prepared to take our annual fllt
ting into the country. l had sent most
Of the household goods. which always
accompanied us, and gathered enough to-
gcther for the 6nal load. Nellie came up
to inspect them.
"Where in the world did you get that
old,cap. box ?" she asked, laughing And
why have you installed it on The top Of
all the other packages
Don't you know the box, NellieY' |
replied " it was grandmother Carrigan 5,
the very one in which she used to put
her old black cap Why, can see her face
in it this moment. nd-what upon
earth I" | exclaimed, cutting short my
speech.
My wife had pulled of the deep cover
Of the box with some cxertion, and there,
snugly packed together. staring us in the