The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-04
Cousin Kate.


'If there is anything that detest, it
is an old maid" said Mr.. Davenport, a
fine-lOoking man of perhaps forty years
of age, who was walking hastily up and
down the room, evidently in no enviable
frame of mind. ~ know il is illiberal,
unkind, ungenerous, to ban any class en-
Hl0sSe,n he continued; "but / have the
same aversion to an unmarried woman
past thirty that 1 have to a toad or a
snake" ...- r-
-'HI think they are generally very dis
agreeable" returned his helpmate, in
the quiet, Submissive tone with which
she had echoed his opinions for the last
seventeen years; land am sorry, Dav-
enpOrt, that your cousin, Miss Fanshaw,
is coming just now; for Julia, poor
child, will of necessity be much with
her, and it will have depressing effect
on her youthful spirits"
"Must [ be much with herr" ex-
claimed that interesting member of the
Davenport family, in a tone which led
one to suspect that she was on the verge
of an hysterical fit of tears.
"GoOd heavens ~ exclaimed Mr.. Dav-
enport; "are you all determined to drive
me mad ?p
And, seizing his hat, he rushed from
the house.
AS the door closed behind him, Miss
Julia's sobs became alarming.
"Why, Julia" exclaimed her mother,
'you cannot expect me to give up my
handsonest room. What if your rich
Aunt Landon or Mrs. johnson should
come, and their apartments taken up
with this musty, fusty, crusty old maid ?
/ do wish your father had not so many
relations" sighed Mrs. Davenport.
"What is the matter, mother ?" ex-
claimed, in a breath, Frank and Will
liam, who just then rushed in. "What
is the matter with Julia ?''
"Hurrah! hurrah !" cried Frank, toss
ing his cap up in high glee, when in
formed of the subject under considera-
tion. "What grand times we shall have
tormenting her-a good-for-nothing old
maid m
az hope Julia will never be an old
maid, don't you, mother ?p exclaimed
affectionate little Willie.
''If she is, I'll turn her out of doors,'
retorted Frank.
"Don't cry, Julia" said Willie, steal
ing his arm round fair Julia's neck;
"dOn't cry; perhaps she'll be q very
agreeable old maid.n - f -I
Thisidea, which had evidently never
before struck any Of the family, silenced
for a moment Miss Julia's sobs.
mo, no; she can't be-" vociferated
Master Frank, ''for is she not an old
maid ?n
The individual who oceasioned all
this hubbub, this much-calumniated
much-feared Miss Fsnsbaw, was cousin
and old flame of Mr.. Davenport's. Yes
from eighteen, when he entered college
to twenty-four, when he left it, through
long vacations and still longer terms
ay, and for years afterward, when be had
completed the all-absorbing and import.
ant study of law, had Mr.. Davenport
worshiped bis wild, beautiful, bewitch.
ing Cousin Kate; thought of her, dreamt
of her, till one sunny afternoon in bel
fathers garden an emphatic ''Nor' had
given the death-blow to his hopes
though not TO his love. No; although
in a fit Of spite he had Immediately pro.
posed to and married his present wife
the prettiest simpleton in the world,
still, although he was scarcely aware OF
it himself, queen over his affections
reigned this charming remembrance, OIL
rather this lovely ideal; for it was Miss
Fanshaw in her sweet spring-time, with
the dew of her youth upon her, Cousin
Kate at seventeen, not thirty-five; Mr.
Davenport detested old maids.
Mr.. Davenport was Mortified at the
idea of his dream being broken in upon
the romance of his life dispelled; he
had never wished to see his Cousin
Kate again, and now she was coming tc
pay him visit. AS for Mrs. DaveDporl
although very Insignificant char.
acter in her own house, she shall have 8
place here-Mrs. Davenport had indis
tinct visions of prowling, inquisitive
disagreeable creature, of the most di
minutive height, the sallowest of al
possible compilations, and the feebles
Of all voices; yet with this same mine
ing, whining voice was she to thwar
and annoy her beyond measure. From
the connecting of pudding to the set
Ting of her housekeeping accounts
Miss Fanshaw would interfere.
The afternoon was clear, bright, ant
warm, nothing ominous of the unwel
come guest. Julia, who had went her
self sick, lay asleep on the sofa, wheI
carriage wheels were heard, and th,
whole family, boys and baby included
In an Instant ran to the window to mari
the arrival. The steps of the sarriag,
were let down, and a beautiful littl
foot was at first prOtruded, then a tall
elegant figure descended, in deep mourn
ing, who, in the lowest, sweetest vote,
In the world, as she entered the room
proclaimed herself TO be Miss Fanshaw
Yes, though she had large, dark, brigh
eyes, the most dazzling of complexions
the silkiest, most redundant of locks
this was Individually Miss Fansnaw-ay
Miss Fanshaw, the old maid. = - =
Mrs. Davenport was completely non
plussed; she had intended to be COOL,
dignified and stiffiy condescending; bu
this charming apparition put all sucl
ideas to flight. Dumb and motiOnIes
she stood (for the poor soul never coull
perform imprOmptu; her part must b
we'll studied), wllile her guest, witt
graceful ease, hoped that her late accept
ance OF her cousins Invitation had no
been ill-timed-''he was her neares
relative" she said, and tears filed tn
.rslarT srasfaa1 1t-+asnfH eaf Talzi1 iaift