The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-05-05
COUSIN EDITH.

Lillian Ames stood leaning against
the easement Of an open window lead.
ing on to sioping lawn, at whose base
flowed a sunny, ripping stream o.
water.
1t was one of England's fairest scenes
on which her eyes rested, and she was
one of England's fairest 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 at will
the dark lashes shaded cheek white rs
parian marble, with rarely even touch
Of color upon its velvety surface, and the
assumed new grace in each unstudied
poise, until one forgot the question OF
soul in lis perfect outward flesh and
blood tabernacle.
Near her, reclining on a low easy
chair, sat young girl OF about her own
age. at first glance the exquisite soul
]ovelincss of her face paled in Miss
Anes' more brilliant beauty, but there
were more to love its possessor, and
fewer to envy her. Something like in
cignation was in her voice, as she ad-
dressed her friend. Al
"Trannot 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 he broken"
3D.. s,~%o ia
in low, ironical tones. - have not yet
heen engaged to Oscar Dcring twenty.
four hours. 1t was to Lord Oscar Der
ing gave nv pledge"
''Oh. but, Lillian, because he has lost
title and estate must he also lose the
woman of his love? Think a minute
You surely will not give him up SC
easily?"
Nonsense, Edith! am twenty-one
no longer a girl of an age to live upor
sentimentalism, but to look upon the
everyday realities of life. When en-.
gagged myself to Lord Dering, I was the
subject, of congratulation among all
my friends. Nowthat the cousin who
was supposed to be dead crops into life
in some remote portion of the globe, and
that Oscar insists upon renouncing the
property in his behalf without even n
struggle, I am not content to let these
same congratulations lapse into pity"
"Oh, Lillian, do You think any ono
could pity you for possessing so royal 3
gift as the love of such man? Think
better of it, dear, know you care fol
him. Do not so lightly renounce your
life's happiness"
"You plead his cause eloquently, nv
dear. Really / did not know possessed
IL rival in my fair cousin. Perhaps, g
heart caught in the rebound-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 rs though some ruthless hand
had snatehed the veil from her owl1
heart, ]eaying exposed its most cher
ished seeret-a secret she had moi
known aerself, until now betrayed by
her shame! Il III y :
81 must leave this place. I cannot
meet him again. / must 90 home
But. oh! how can she give him upw
Edith Loring and Lillian Ames werf
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 oil
which Lillian was sole heiress.
Thetgirls. however, had been CLOSELY
united, more by the tie of friendship
than scousinship, since the latter was :
distant bond, and Ames Court was al
most rs much Edith's home as her own
Now, however, the homelier charms O
the .rectory were very grateful to her
Here no one could probe the discover,
so new to herself-to trace the scarle
blush which seemed so often to bur,
her cheek, until she wondered that i
did not leave its brand.
She had been home six weeks, ant
twice Oscar Dering had ridden over t.
see her, but she had always denied her
self to him on some household pretcxt
until one morning he overlook her il
the road.
SDe udu DcSu DuoJ Will GuOuSlLS y
him, wondering how he had borne hi
ruptured troth, and reproaching hersel
for the cowardice which heretofore ha,
forbidden her meeting him, when sh
heard behind her the quick tramp of
horses hoofs. His rider drew rein a
her side.
$50 1 am to find you at last" b
said.
His voice sounded the same as of oil
the bright, CHEEKY tone was un
changed. He was not broken hearted
then, or at least he did not wear tina
cruelly-used portion of his body upol
his steed.
Have you seen Lillian lately" sh
st last found courage to ask.
mo-" he answered, and then she saw
the frown gather on his brow, and a,
expression OF pain come about his lips
Il see as little OF your cousin as posi-
ble now. You know, Miss Loring,
%m no longer subject for congratula
lion."