West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-04-27
OH! COUSIN CHARLEY.
BY MARGAREr LIVINGSTON.

Cousin Charley's coming homel-
Cousin Charley's coming homew cried
little, twelve-year-old Maud Bentley.
darting breathlessly, full of the impor-
tant news, into the breakfast-Toom. " Pa
has just had a letter. | heard him tell
ing mamma, in the dressing-room, as
went in To kiss her"
Her eldest sister, Kate, who presided
at the urn, changed color, and her heart
began to beat fast; but she said nothing,
an omission which excited Maud's
Indignation.
Why don't you say something.
Sister Kate?' she cried, shaking her by
the sleeve.
Are you not glad? If | were boy,
Pdhurrah"
"Tll hurrah for YOU" said Master
Freddy, a youngster of eight, with his
mouth full'of buttered toast. al don't
remember Cousin Charley, but they say
he's brick. He'll bring me, maybe, a
big knife with twenty blades from New
York! Jim Stanley has a sumner, that
his father bought there for him.
Hurrahp
Freddy, dear" said Kate, mildly,
don't use such slang phrases, please.
Gentlemen never do"
Just So" answered Freddy, coolIy.
But, then, you see, Pm not gentle
man yet. Pm only a school-boy." And
he went on stufiing himself with toast
Notwithstanding her assumed indifer
ence, kate's heart was beating like a
forge-hammer. Up to four years ago.
when Cousin Charley had gone abroad
to finish his education at a German uni
versity, Kate and he had been all in all
"a -
nearly sixteen, and he four wears older
Charley had been, as it were, brought up
IN the family, for when his parents died
he was only five years old, and as his
father had been Mr. Bentley's cousin.
the boy had been committed TO the lat
ter's guardianship. All Charley's holi-
days, therefore, had been spent at the
Bentley's; in winter at their town
house IN summer AZ their country seat
AS Kate developed into girlhood, he and
she became inseparable. He would
have no other partner at the children's
parties they attended together in town
In the country she would 60 cut with no
one else fishing, or rambling in the
woods. IL was one of those childish
attachments at which the elders of the
family smile gOod-naturedly, aware that
they generally come TO nothing. 1t be-
gan to look more serious, however,
when, at twenty, Cousin Charley still
persisted in his devotion.
He is going abroad, however, for four
years." said Mr.. Bentley, when his wife
expressed some anxiety on the subject
and when he comes back, he will
probably have forgotten Kate. OF
course there is no objection TO Charley
in himself lie has good fortune. and
is everything that is desirable But
Kate, at least, is too young 10 think Of
marriage"
Cousin Charley received hint Of his
uncle's opinions on this subject. and
went away without any formal engage.
ment to Kate. 1T must be confessed She
was surprised But she remained true.
nevertheless. a year after, when she
began to go into society, his image still
had such power over her that no one Of
her many suitors was able 70 supplant It,
Thus she had reached the age Of twenty,
and was still unmarried People called
her cold Even her parents thought it odd,
Tor they had long ceased 10 connect her
and Cousin Charley together
But now we know why Kate's heart
beat 80 last on that December morning;
and why, nevertheless, she assumed such
an air Of uncOnCern.
Cousin Charley came, and more than
realized her maiden ideal, for he was
still as merry and kind-hearted "A Of
old, with the most distinguished man
ners superadded. But alas for poor
Kate, there was no renewal Of the old
intimacy. At their first interview she
held back and Cousin Charley had little
20 say--in fact, seemed rather embar-
,as5ed. The secret was soon out. Kate
nao an old school-mate who had come
'ilaJ day to spend the holidays with her,
y beautiful, Juno-like girl The moment
tnat Llyia Randolph entered the room
CouSin Charley' whole manner changed