The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-05-21
COUSIN EDITH.

the easement of an open window lead
ing on to sloping lawn, Mt whose base
flowed sunny, ripping stream Of
water.
1t was one of England's fairest scenes
on which her eyes rested, and she was
one of England's fiirest daughters.
Even at this moment, spite of the fact
that her brow is gathered in frown,
and the full, red lips are Enthusiastically
pouting, her beauty is undeniable.
A few bold spirits have declared there
was little soul in the face; but the large
hazle eyes could melt or flash mt wifi :
the dark lashes shaded check white a.;
parian marble, with rarely even a touch
of color upon its velvety surface, and the
1.-THE, graceful figure even unconsciously
assumed new grace in each unstudied
pOise, until one forgot the question of
soul in its perfect outward flesh and
blood tabernacle.
Near her, reclining on a low easy-
chair, sat a young girl of about her own
age. At first glance the exquisite soul
loveliness of her face paled in Miss
Ames' more brilliant beauty, but there
were more to love its possessor, and
fewer TO envy her. Something like in.
dignation was in her voice, as she ad-
dressed her friend.
~ cannot believe that you mean it.,
Lillian" she said. "You have been en-
gagged to Oscar Dering year, and how
you can say so carelessly that your en-
gagement shall be broken"
" Beg pardon~ interrupted the other,
in low, ironical tones. "I have not vet
been engaged to Oscar Dering twenty
four hours. 1t was to Lord Oscar Der
ing | gave my pledge"
"Oh, but, Lillian, because he has lost
title and estate must he also lose the
woman of his loveP Think a minute.
You surely will not give him up 80
easilyp"
Nonsense. Edith! 1 am twenty-one
no longer a girl of an age to live upon
sentimenttlism, but to look upon the
everyday realities of life. When I en-
gagged myself to Lord Dering, was the
subject of congrttulntion among all
my friends. Now that the cousin who
was supposed 10 be dead crops into life
in some remote portion of tn globe, and
that Oscar insists upon reHayincing the
property In his behalf with tut even a
struggle, am not content r, let these
anne congratulations lapses 10 pity"
"Oh, Lillian, do you think any one
sould pity you for possessing SO royal n
gift rs the love of such manp Think
letter of 1t, dear, know you care 70,
him. Do not so lightly r,a0.,ra.e voss
LIES happ,i~-Sr
you plead his cause eloquently, my
dear. Really did not know ! possessed
a rival in my fair cousin. Perhaps, a
heart caught in the erebOund-you know
the rest. OF course, and can point the
moral"
LILLIAN, you are cruel--cruel! l.
But the late speaker had passed
through the open window out of hear
ing, and advanced to meet man
quickly approaching ON the green
ward, while the young girl left behind
fell back In her chair, the great tears
coursing down her cheeks, on which
the crimson color-signal famed.
1t was as though some ruthless hani
had snatched the veil from her OWE
heart, leaving exposed its most cher
ished seeret-a secret she had not
known herself, until now betrayed by
her shame.
81 must leave this place. cannot
meet him again l must go home
But. oh! how can she give him upp
Edith Loring and Lillian Ames were
cousins, but the one was the daughter
OF clergyman whose rectory was some
ten miles distant from Ames Court, one
OF the noblest estates of England, and OF
which Lillian was sole heiress.
The girls, however, had been closely
united, more by the tie of friendship
than cousinship, since the latter was n
distant bond, and Ames Court was nj
most as much Edith's home as her own.
Now, however, the homelier charms OF
the rectory were very grateful to her.
Here no one could probe the discovery
30 new TO herself-to trace the scarlet
blush which seemed so often to burn
her check, until she wondered that il
did not leave its brand.
She had been home six weeks, and
twice Oscar Dering had ridden over TO
see her, but she had always denied her
self to him on some household pretext,
until one morning he overlook her in
the road.
She had been busy with thoughts OF
him, wondering how he had borne his
ruptured troth, and reproaching herself
for the cowar6ice which heretofore had
forbidden her meeting him, when she
heard behind her the quick tramp OF a
horses hoofs. His rider drew rein at
her side.
$50 am to find YOU at last.p he
said.
His voice sounded the same as of old
the bright, CHEEKY tone was un-
changed. He was not broken hearted,
then, or at least he did not wear that
cruelly-used portion Of his body upon
his steed.
Have you seen LILLIAN latelyp" she
Mt last found courage to ask.
I.a a. a. u
the frown gather on his brow, and an
expression oi pain come about his lips.
/ sse as little of your cousin as possi-
bic now. You know. Miss Lnrfnc. l