Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-02
Banquo" will not down even if he were

her arms lovingly around his neck an(
promised to be true. devoted friend.
All these intervening years she hal
| faithfully kept that promise, and littl,
BY little Philip has learned to love her
Learned" did we write? We recall
tnat ill-chOsen word, for 1t had been M
task to him to love this gentle, affection
ate cousin.
Edith Haxton had never suspected fol
q moment that her loving interest in hel
cousin, and the thousands of little kind
nesses which that interest had led hel
to show him, would be misunderstood
Nor had she dreamed either that ell o.
cousin Philips efforts to make her hap
py were aught else than manifestations
OF his noble, generous nature.
But, alas, for him, he had lived on
lisping and lisping; and, true to human
nature, had been finding in each exhi-
bition of Edith's cousinly love for him
that which would fan and warm flame
which was destined soon to end in bitter
crushing disappointment.
Philip rides to the large, gable barn,
and after taking off his saddle and pro-
viding Robin with food, walks musingly
back towards the house.
Edith comes tripping out into the
yard to meet MIN.
"Oh! am SO glad you have come" f"
said she, in her charteristic, jubilant
tone, "I've got real secret to tell you
and little bit of trouble that you must
help me out Of"
"Are you really glad that have
come" "Well, I suppose | must repay
you by doing my best to help you in
your trouble. 1t is treat to be permit
| fod to of 4 =,
for holiday out here. But come NOW,
tell me the trouble"
By this time they had taken their
seats on the bench over which the
honey-suckle was hanging, and Edith's
face has flushed till it is of a ruddy glow.
Slipping her little hand into cousin
Philips she began:
"There is one secret, cousin, that have
never told YOU"
II trust" he replied, "that it was no
lack of confidence in cousin Philips
ability and willingness to faithfully keep
all your secrets"
"Oh no, cousin, not that; but be-
cause I have not had an opportunity to
have quiet, cosy little chat with you.-
Somehow or other I can never get myself
exactly fixed for one of our chats unless
we are rambling to,ether through the
meadows, over the hills, or sitting on
the old grapevine bench down by the
holly-spring."
"But come now, tell me the trouble
My curiosity is quite aroused. If cousin
Philip can help his little cous, he will
gladly, and he twined strand of her
Fraver1 ha& 15las4uiiy around his*finser
as he spoke"
mo, cannot tonight! But to-mor-
row morning we will take stroll, and
then, when we are all alone, will tell
you and you may advise me what to do.
Now dare say your long ride from the
city has made you quite hungry and
tired, SO come with me into the dining
room and take nice lunch and then
slip away for good, long nights rest"
Phillip followed his cousin into the
hall and thence into the dining-room
and, after eating lunch, he kisses her
good d-night and goes up to his room.
Perhaps the kind, affectionate look,
reader, which his fine, blue eyes gave
this fairy-like cousin, as he left her,
meant only true cousinly love; but,
alas! for him, the warm kiss which
he impressed on her lips meant infinite
ly far more.
The morning has dawned! The for
est songsters are welcoming the opening
day with glad notes of praise!
Philip Haxton springs from his couch,
his heart buoyant with anticipations OF
a day of pleasure with cousin Edith. A
day like 80 many others with which the
past is full!
He descends the stairs and meets his
cousin in the hall.
ttTvOr,,o noxr, cold ho suo{1c - Jo~
with that useless formality called eat
ing breakfast and strike for the woods. y
willie, walk In we are all waiting
for you"
The meal is eaten amid round OF
pleasant conversation, telling of city
and farm news, neighborhood and city
gossip, &c. When all have-risen from
the table Edith leaves the room to get
her shawl and hat.
Hand in hand these cousins stroll
down the winding path by the orchard,
and then cross the clover heath and are
soon lost in the deep shade of the grove.
Edith's heart is full of unselfish in
terest in this dear cousin's> happiness,
and in her innocence she has never
dreamed that he is cherishing dearer
feelings towards her. All her Kindness,
her little efforts for his good, have been
that she might exert over him refining.
ennobling influence.
But Philips heart! Alas it is full
of love far deeper than that of a cousin.
And as he walks along with this gentle,
little cousin, he is dreaming over and
over again the same old day-dream that
has exerted so powerful an influence
over his life. How very often in hours
of temptation has he been able to bid
the tempter depart by recalling her low
ing counsels! How strong a bulwark
has this love for her-a love that he
has never breathed, but which has made
up SO very much of his inner and heart
life-been to him during all the past!
Now they are seated at the old
holly spring-a place that recalls SC
many of the most pleasing reminiscent
ces of their childhood day-and says
cousin Philip:
"Now Little Cous,' tell me the trouble
and let me try to help you."
Edith's eyes dropped down towards
the ground, and, as she commenced
Philip noticed that deep blush wss on
her cheek, the course or meaning o1
which he could not tell.
"Cousin Philip, do you remember Mr.
Ralph Duane, whom you met here du.
ring the CHRISTMAS hOlldayS?
"Oh, yes ! and he struck me as being
very pleasant and interesting gentle.
man. He is connected, in the capacity
of travelling agent with the firm of Law
son, Gould & Co., "Wholesale Dealers
in Furniture" of our city and is knowr
as thorough going business man.
have quite frequently met him on tn,
street and in the social circle since ]
met him here first, and the opinion
formed of him here has been fully veri
| fed y
II first knew him, cousin, I think
told you-while I was pupil of Profes
sor Stuart's school in Melville. Hi:
father is a successful, we'll to- do tobacc,
merchant of Melville, and a warm, per
sonal friend of Professor Stuart's. Ralpl
Duane was one of the very few youn,
men whom the Professor would permit
to make regular visits upon the pupils.
"Well, Little Cous," said Philip jest
ingly, lam patiently waiting to hear tn
4 trouble"
1 "Cousin Philip" said Edith, and, a