West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-04-27

was quite left out of the conversation.
Nevertheless, she could not help admir-.
ing Cousin Charley's quick wit, his elo-
quent language, his warm enthusiasm
as to all things noble and good.
am nobody" said She to herself
with sigh He forgets the old times
altogether"
AS the days went on, and Christmas
drew near, this conviction became more
fixed. Cousin Charley came constantly
TO the house but il was ALWAYS with
Livia he talked. There seemed a com
plete understanding between them. She
was invariably in the drawing room.
awaiting his visit, and before he had
been there long, she and he managed TO
be together on some distant sofa.
whispering. Kate could not help think
ing this was rude; but her heart was
sore, and she forgot that the same law
cannot be applied to lovers as TO others.
Now and then Cousin Charley, as If
recollecting his good manners, would
address himself to Kate, but il was al
ways IN stiff, constrained way: and
Kate instinctively answered in the same
cold and reserved fashion.
Great preparations were being made
at the Bentley's TO celebrate Christmas
and New Year. There was TO be n
dancing.party and asupper on Christmas
I've, and the dining-rOOm was TO have,
suspended from chandelier, "A huge
bunch OF mistletOe; and woe to the
pretty girl that was caught under il, for
the old-lashiOned penalty of kiss would
be sure 10 be exacted. The arrange.
ments were superintended by Kate her
self, she being practically housekeeper,
her mother having been for years very
much of an invalid. She even denied
herself TO callers. But Livia, as a guest,
was OF course free from all these cares,
and sat in the drawing-room, resplendent
IN beauty, receiving visitors till late in
the afternoon.
Just before dusk, Cousin Charley
came. Kate happened to be passing
through the back part of the hall, and
heard him ask the fOotman if Miss
Randolph was in. She noticed particu-
larly that he did not inquire for her.
lie knew ! was to be busy" she said.
and has chosen this day on purpose;
have no doubt he is going to propose for
her. Well, / wish with all my heart
they may be happy" But alas poor
girl, her sight and her woe begone face
belied her words.
About fifteen minutes later, Kate, re-
turning from the kitchen, glanced into
the back drawing-roOm the door Of
which was Just opposite the foot of the
hall staircase. Livia and Cousin
Charley were standing by the mantel-
piece, in full sight. Cousin Charley
was handing Livia miniature.
which she began Immediately to kiss
passionately. They were so absorbed
that they did not hear Kate's footsteps.
which indeed were hardly audible on
the thick Administer carpet and i'm n
moment she had darted up the staircase.
and was out of sight.
"Oh OH ohp she cried when she
had gained her own room, and locked
the door behind her, and she pressed
both hands on her heart, which she
thought would break. Then she flung
herself on the bed, face downwards, and
burst into an agony of tears.
She had thought she was prepared for
the blow; but she found she was not. a
little hope, after all, had lingeted in her
heart, fed by looks that Cousin Charley
gave her now and then, or that she
fancied he gave. But now even this
slight bit of comfort was gone. She had
seen, with her own eyes, the engagement.
Cousin Charley had given LiYia his
miniature, and the passionate way i'm
which she kissed it showed how she
loved him.
Poor Kate! We draw veil over the
next half hour. By-and-by she washed
her eyes, Teadjusted her hair. and went
back TO her household duties. Then she
met the family at dinner, and talked as
cheerfully as if nothing had happened.
and was particularly amiable to Liyia.
who, it was plain to see, was in the
most extravagantspirits. The converse
tion was principally about the ball in
the evening, which everybody predicted
was going to be great success.
You must look your prettiest. to-
night, Sister Kate" said the laxative
Freddy, for everybody SAYS that Won
and Llvia are the two handsomest Girls
IN town and it wouldn't do, you know
to be pretty, and not do justice TO it:and
a stunning dress goes great way" And
the Precocious young critic nodded his
head as sagaciOusly az Lord BuTleigh,
while everybody laughed.
Kate had no heart for fine clothes:
but she knew it was expected Of her
that she should look particularly ele-
CAN'T so she chose a stiff, white silk,
which, with it's appropriate trimmings,
everybody declared made her look be-
witching. She finished her toilet early.
IN order that she might make the tour
OF the rooms, to be sure that nothing
was neglected. She first visited the
draWing-roOm, and then passed on 20 the
dinlng-roOm. Here she saw that the
tables were set for the guests. and that
nothing remained but 10 serve the sup-
per at the proper hour.
Suddenly she heard step behind her
and turning quickly, found herself in
Cousin Charley's arms, and directly
under the mistletoe. InstlnctiveIv She
struggled 10 get free But Cousin Char
ley was too strong for her. Half
laughingly, but radiant with triumph.
he clasped her by the waist, held her
tight and kissed her.
Kate's first feeling, on finding herself
in those dear arms-shall we confess it7
was one Of exquisite bliss And if
she could have lair there for ever. sure
Of Cousin Charley's love, she would
have been perfectly content For Just
one moment she gave herself up to this
delicious dream For Just one moment
she let Cousin Charley's heart beat
against her own. Only she looked up at
him, half-shyly, halfbescechinp. blush.
ing furiously, and whispered in maid