American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-12-22
COUSIN NELL.


won, and over which Imam though 1
thought myself-could well nigh have
wept. Even now-though have been
knocking about the world these ten
years, and all the sentiment 1 ever had
has been Battered out of mel wonder
bore it as l did.
always spent Christmas at Briefly
in those days; and wasn't at all sur
prised when, in my Uncle's usual note,
saying he should expect me on Christ
mas Eve, he asked if Hal would accom-
pany me. He had often been at the
Hall with me, and he was favOrite
there, as he was everywhere else; and
he was my dearest friend, and would
have done any thing in the world for
him. l had never told him of my fond
ness for my Cousin Helen; perhaps L
was shy to speak of it till l was an ac-
cepted sutton, which l was not. knew
my uncle wished it. He'd no boy of
his own; and, though the property was
not entailed, he wished to leave it to the
next male heir, if by SO doing he would
not be taking it from his own child.
Nothing had ever been said about it to
Nellie, but l had always adored her, and
used to think she cared a little bit for
me. l had determined to speak to her
that Christmas; and / bought little
diamond ring as a Christmas gift for
her, and thought perhaps she would
wear it as pledge. 1 was as happy as
king as 1 sat in the railway-carriage
and half a mind to tell Hal about it; but
he was as grave as judge, and quite
preoccupied.
They came out to welcome US when
they heard US drive up; and behind
them all-hanging back, the sly puss-
was Nell. And when l kissed her, she
pretended to be coy, and 1 thought
was dear little girl.
"We have been longing for you to
come, Charley" my uncle said. "The
girls can't get on without you. The
Christmas-tree isn't nearly ready
eyes, it is, all but the Candles" said
little May.
And after dinner we tagged at the tree
till it was done. Itwas odd, but could
not help noticing how silent Nell was.
She was rather curt with Hal, too; |
was half afraid she did not like his COM
ing.
"We must go to the church, by-and-
by,'' she said, "and see how they are
getting on,' and presently we went. 1
meant to have helped her over the snow,
but Hal rushed forward and they went
on together. Well, was rather glad,
for wanted them to be good friends.
When we got to the church, and the
little ones-Nellie and Hal were miss
ing, and did not turn up till just as we
were leaving, and then Nell seemed only
to care about getting back again, which
she did leaning on Halls arm. l felt
half jealous, and reproached her a little
when wished her &C goodnight
Z" You haven't condescended to notice
me since came,' she said, GO and I've
so longed - She looked at me with
strange light in her sweet eyes.
" You dear old thing" she said, CO
am so delighted to think you are here!''
And so, more than satisfied, went of
to smoke quiet weed before going to
bed. Hal Joined me, but he was still as
grave as Judge.
Whatever's the matter with you,
old fellow?' l asked at last, and then he
burst out:
Charley, know you're brick and
would do any thing in the world for
| me.''
"Of course would,'' said.
We'll, the fact is, I'm head over ears
in love with Nell. L spoke to her last
summer, but we had little tiff, and it
fell through but tonight we've made
it up, and 1 want you to help with the
Squire l haven't much, you know, but
We'll make the best of it, and-What's
the matter?'' He stopped, for 1 know
my face was pale, and my heart seemed
standing still. &c You are not going to
raise any objection, are you, old fellow
We are so fond of each other"
Ell! No; love you two best in the
world,'' L said, and then I wrung his
hand nearly off and left him.
My uncle was very angry about it
when he was told next morning. ''
wanted her to marry her cousin, and
that's plain" he said. Il was present
by request at the interview.) want
ed to leave him my property land know
it would go to my child as well.'
"Uncle,'' said, '' 1 shall never mar
ry. mean to ge abroad for some years
in the spring; and, as far as 1 am con-
cerned, beg you to leave it to Nell land
make us all happy this Christmas Day, >
and felt choked at the very thought Of
happiness for me.
81 shall entail it strictly on the male
heirs,'' he said, relenting, and a hap
pier and prettier face than Nell's thai
day could not have been found any
where.
eve must draw for the things off the
Christmas-tree tonight" she said
sand Charley must distribute them, a;
he did last year, and it was as the lit
tie despot willed; and when she won ar
absurd yellow satin bag took the dia
mond ring out of my waistcoat-pocke
and put it in as handed it to her. Hel
face beamed with delight.
"You are regular darling, old coz,
she whispered, "and III wear it il
memory of this day, which you hav'
helped to make so happy-for Hal told
meas long as 1 live.''
Well, she has been married many ;
year, but shall never forget her fac'