The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-09-11
MISCELLANY.
COUSIN NELL.
- q -
A LOVE STORY.
N-r-----D

to sitting position to deliver this cner-
getic protest, sank back upon comfort
able lounge with 4 sigh Of utter exhaus-
ton. The room, shaded from the sum-
mer sun, costly furnished, and speaking
of invalidism in every detail, was pain
fully quiet. But from an apartment not
far away came the sound of a rich con
traffic voice, indulging in the most as
tonishing gymnastics of which the hui
man voice can be supposed capable,
while rapid lingering on the key -board
supported the vocal acrobatic feats.
What the original air might have been
could only be surmis"d in the rapid
scales, trils, cadenzas and lourishes with
which it was embellished Suddenly n
sweeping rush of notes, a crash ofchords
and the piano lid fell with bang, that
startled the speech above quoted from
Craig Warrenton.
Mrs John Chester--a blue eyed widow,
with one idol, her nephew sighed as
she answered.
g She is a great trial, Craig. But we
must endure it for month or two"
"Down the burn, Dayy, love- float.
ed in at the open window, and in a mo,
ment tall, handsome girl of seventeen
came up the porch steps, having made a
circuit of the house from the drawing
room window
Dear" said Mrs. Chester, holding up
warning finger, +" do try to be a little
quieter Your cousin is very nervous
this morning"
The idea of u man, not twenty four.
having any nerves." said Helen Warren
ton, putting aside the lace curtains to
step into the room. "Poor little fellow"
she added in soothing tone, approach
ing the lounge, 4" did it want to be quiet
SO it shall, then"
Craig flushed under the keen sarcasm
in the great black eyes looking down up
on his tall figure but said, rather fret
fully:
people in rude health have no idea
of the suffering of invaids."
9" suppose it is shoekingly vulgar to
have no aches or pains was the reply (;
"but refined laziness was never my temp
taton"
my DEAR" Mrs Chester exclaimed,
" sickness is not laziness.'
No--but--"
That was all but again Craig flushed
under the scrutiny of the dark eyes.
A grating Of wheels upon the gravel
and voice caTifng Ne1Ifc, cansed Miss
Warrenton to dash through the open
window again, and in another moment
she was standing beside chaso, in
which was seated an elderly gentleman
"Onc more drive, Nell = he asked
wait until get hat. papa"
She was seated beside him moment
later, her face very grave.
What have you been dong?' asked
her father.
"Singing to keep from crying 1t is
so hard to let you 60"
81 know it Nell, but it is my duty.
Your poor aunt is certainly alone in Nice
and some one must 90 to her. will re-
turn as soon as possible. In the mean.
time this is pleasant home"
Pleasant - the girl cried, with an ex.
pressive grimmace. Papa, you are a
doctor. Tell me il my Cousin Craig is
really SICK
Yes and no."
thought as much"
He is certainly delicate, and both his
parents died very young. But he pets
his ailments till from dwarfs they become
giants. If Craig were a poor man, he
would probably overcome all his weak
ness. AS rich man, he will probably
die in few years of sheer want of pur-
pose and exercise. He is dyspeptic from
lying about on beds and lounges, instead
ofwalking or riding. He takes cold by
keeping himself ever in an artificial at,
mosphere,"
"And he has nerves. said Nellie, con.
temptuously. -...
unfortunately he has, keenly sensi
tive Ones" was the grave reply, with
only self. indulgence to foster all theil
vagaries. Understand me, Nell. You
cousin does suffer, more thaa you can
we'll reslise, and he will suffer more and
more as he encourages his troubles"
"Wants shaking up?"
Exactly-mentally and physically
Gone thing is CERTAIN" said Nell
f" either he or will die before you re
turn. Every time go into the sitting.
room l feel smothered, and he groans
every time raise my voice above wits
per. 1t is too bad, papa, to see him so
think he is the very handsomest man
ever saw, and he converses well. too"
"a fine fellow" the doctor replied
with quizzical look Nellieward, but un
observed ~" but want to talk about yor
now. While am gone
And the doctor began long string Of
directions for this only child he was leav
ing for the first time in her life. 1t was
bitter work for both, but they had made
duty and self sacrifice watchwords for sc
long, that there was no hesitation wher
these called for separation,
Dr. Warrentons sister, recently wild
owed at Nice, was i'll, and her brother
had been summoned to bring her home
In the time of his absence Mrs. Chester
had consented to give Nellie home.
1t aroused Craig Warrenton's chivalry
the following morning, to see the still
white face of Helen turned from the las
look at the carriage taking her father
away. For moment Mrs Chester
thought the girl would faint, but she raj
lied, saying with a dreary smile:
ave were never separated before
But promised papa not to fret"
"Buti in your father profession he mus
he away from Won n great DEAL Crait