The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-06-06
KATE'S PRINCE.

We three-Lil, ClSSv and had long dls-
cussion about Cousin Kate, who was coming on
q visit to lis from the city; and we all felt what
dreadful little ragmufins VIC should seem to
her, for I'm afraid VIC had been running wild
thouy papa only used to laugh about it, and
would come into the school room when mamma
was busy with us over our lessons, whenever it
Was fine morning, and cry: Nov, then.
girls. the sun shines and the birds are calling.
Ont with YOU Learn lessons" when it rains.
knew afterward why this was. Papa had
horrible nervous dread of our growing mp weak
and sckly, for his was delicate family ; and
had heard that our cousins were often very ILL.,
"Ican guess why Cousin Kate Is coming to
STAY with us. said Lii.
.iIknow why she's coming" said.
ats because she's i'll" shouted Lii. for fear
should show my knowledge first.
"Sally will take her up new warm milk and
an egg in it before she gets out of bed In the
morning. said Cissy, solemnly, "that will soon
make her we'll"
"She shall have all the eggs Specklc lays"
said Il, "and Jenny will take her every morn
ing to the old garden seat under the trees.
She's sure to get we'll there
And so we did. for Cousin Kate came that
afternoon. a tall, pale girl, with sad, weary
look in her face, as she gazed wistfully from
one to the other.
We three Young girls stood back, quite III
awe of the well dressed, fashionable looking
body, who was so different from what we had
expected, while mamma went up to welcome
her, and took her in her arms in tender Gf-
fectionate way. saying: "My dear child We
are 6 lad to wclcomeyou."
Cousin Kate threw her arms around mamma g
neck and burst into fit of sobbing, hiding her
face out Of sight. We did not sec any more Of
Cousin Kate that day; but our young interest
fos tered by dark hints dropped by Sally, who
was blghted flower, having been crossed
in love affair with the horsekeepcr at a
neighboring farm, we girls got to think Of our
cousins illness as kind OF mystery connected
in some way, how we did not know, with the
heart.
Our awe Of the sweet gentle cousin fell off
the very next day, Hhen we took possession OF
her, and led her around our dear old country
home, with its wilderness Of all orchard, great
garden strawberries, and pleasant meadow.
Her coming seemed to mark an epoch in orr
young lives, for, seeing how weak and delicate
she was, we used to vie one with the other in
being quiet and gentle, waited upon her in the
most unnecessary way, like slaves, and always
ready to rush off most willing messengers to
forestall any little want she expressed.
This came natural to us; but on mv part it
was increased by few words which l heard
pass between papa and mamma, mamma say
ing that she did not think poor Kate would
ever grow strong again. but slowly withcr away
gave great gulp as heard those words, and
then burst out sobbing violently.
"You here Jenny" said mamma. Well.
my dear as you have heard what We said. it
must be vour secret too. Never let yorr POOR
cousin know what we think, and never behave
to her as if YOU thought she could not recover. -
Ipromiscd readily, and at fourteen the pos
session OF that secret seemed to make me more
womanly than my sisters, as | rcdoub!ed nay
tenderness to the suffering girl.
Tho invalid was nineteen-a great age in
our estimation-and I used to louk mp to hcl
with veneratiou, gazing at her soft sweet face
and wistful eyes, wondering why shc was so i'll
and what was the great sorrow that had come
upon her like a blight upon of the rose
round our porch.
Cousin Kate came to rs in the spring. ant
the months flew by till it was the height o.
summer and many and many night had
turned nv face to the wall, so that Ii! should
not know, and cried silently till nv pillow wa
wet For know so well that Kate as eaker
much weaker than when she came, g wall
across the lawn to the old garden seat in tht
shade being as much now as she could bear.
"Cousn Kate" I said, one day when VIC were
alone. Lii and Cissy having rushed off to ge
some flowers, "coudn't any doctor make Vol
well!
She looked at me with q wild strange gazc
which almost startled me, before she replied
and then in q way that made my heart beat she
sobbed out:
"OnIy one-only one! !" and then as if to her
self, in low whisper, she added: "and before
he can come shall be dead--dead.'
She did not know heard her last words. and
sat chilled and frightened, gazing at her til
nv sisters came back, when, as We frequently
did. we sat down about her; Lii got upon the
seat, Cissy sat on the grass with her head
against one of Kate's hands, which hung list
lessly from the corner where she leaned, and ]
threw myself on the grass at her feet, sc
as to look up in her gentle face, which had now
become calm. with its old cary look
"Cousin Kate" said Lii. "tell us another
story"
"No, no. I said, "dont ask; she isn't SC
well to-day"
eyes" she said quietly, raising her head
and looking at me, 81 am better to-day"
"Tell us one, then," cried Cissy, eagerly
"one you've never told US before
There was silence then for few minutes