The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-10-15

you WOulu nave Deeu OVeIJov6u at bA1e
prospect"
ST do not wish to go away with strang-
ers," answered, pettishly.
And George got almost angry because
so persistently refused the invitation,
and for the first time in his life, spoke
hastily to me. After dinner went to
my room, that might be alone with my
own melancholy feelings.
ssIt is quite plain to me George, too,
wants me to go away. He has q wife
whom he loves. He is happy with her,
and am in the way. Well, I will grant
their wish. I will go to these people;
can't be more unhappy than I am here,
and when my visit to the seaside is end
ed, will go away altogether. will
not live where my presence is only re-
straint upon the happiness of others"
With these resolutions, / returned to
my brother and Margaret, and coldly in
formed them that would accept the in
vitation.
"Why, what a book-worm you are,
little cousin. Always reading-reading.
/ see you are resolved to be one of tie
shining lights of the age. But may I
suggest a change just now? Will you
come with me for walk ?''
And before I could object, with one
hand Frank Shirley had taken my book,
and with the other he had raised me from
my favorite nook, the shade of large,
disused fishing vessel on the beach.
had now been with the Shirleys a
week, and could not help liking them
all, though had arrived at Hastings
with the full determination that, as rela-
tives of my hated sister-in-law, though
| they might be ever SO gracious, I should
never feel anything but cold Indifference
| towards the whole family.
But that was impossible. I was
| naturally of an affectionate dispositio
and could not keep up the role I had
proposed. They received me with a
warm welcome, and tried to make me
| feel at home, and 1 soon thawed under
their genial influence.
s'Cousin Margaret told us all about
you-how fond you were of books, and
how you had carried off all the prizes at
Queens college," said Frank as we
walked along.
Margaret told you that?" I answered,
surprised.
Eyes; she gave us such an account of
your talents, your good housekeeping,
| and your love for your brothers, that /
can assure you we were almost alarmed
at the thought of entertaining SO talented
and charming lady. Blanche was quite
| afraid of you at first"
I looked up at Frank Shirley ats he
spoke; felt sure he must be joking; but
no, his face was serious as his tone.
| felt humiliated.
ssYou must have been dreadfully dis
appointed when I arrived" I managed
| to say, colorilg to the roots of my hair,
| as I thought how different had been my
description of his cousin to my friends.
We walked along almost without a
| word from me after that. / allowed
Frank to do all the talking until we ar
rived at the Lovers seat.
Here we found Blanche and Sidney,
and an old college friend of Franks,
Norman Montrose, who had just met
Extraordinarily, of course, we were
told, though Blanche's happy face re-
futed the idea-on the beach.
was introduced to the new arrival,
we all found seats, and commenced that
| desultory chatter about nothing in par
ticular which a company of young people
bent on enjoyment generally INDUCED in.
''By the way" exclaimed Norman,
Isn't she spending her holidays with you
"
started at this question, and Blanche
answered:
"Why, didn't you knew she is mar
ried?"
Married? No, I have not heard of it
before. Where is her husband, that
may shoot him? I always meant to
marry her myselfp'
ssCoxcombl she would have scorned
xyo,, oil Erar1y d1so ofioo11u mifb or,
amused smile at me.
@You great stupids, do hold your
tongues" exclaimed Blanche, laughing.
stShe is married to Doctor George Yer
non, and this young lady'-indicating
me-sis his sister. We have not our
cousin Margaret with us this year, but
we have our cousin Dorothy instead. I
call that fair exchange"
How I thanked Blanche for that kind,
graceful speech! And how mean my own
conduct to Margaret seemed now!
"But we have been shamefully robbed,
none the less," grumbled Sidney, who
was lying at full length on the ground at
Blanche's feet, and throwing stones into
the sea.
''No one else is SO jolly as cousin Mar
garet; she was the kindest, cheerfulest
girl that ever lived; she could make the
time fly, warrant you. Coming co the
seaside is awfully duffing without her."
''Syd, do you want to be pitched after
those pebbles ?" whispered Frank, stoop-
ing over him.
He had seen the vexed flush that rose
on my face, and with that quick sympa-
thy which already made me half in love
with him, he OWNED the unpleasant
feeling of being deprecated, which the
boys hearty praise of his cousin awoke
in my mind.
1--WE were all very fond of cousin
Margaret. Will you make my compi-
ments to her and tell her it is like her
kind thoughtfulness, being unable to
cheer us with the light of her counten-
ance, to provide us with so bright sub
stitute % said Norman, with profound
obeisance to me.
blushed, and the others all laughed
at his forid compliment. We were soon
engaged in merry bandinage, and the
golden hours passed away only too
swiftly.
From that day altered my conduct.
I exerted myself to please my friends
who had been SO kind to me, and soon
won the good opinion even of Sydney. I
wrote long letters to Margaret, describ-
ing my happy visit. and received an
swers from her, full of sisterly af-
e A ,lz-~ l.