Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-05-20

COUSIN EDITH.

COUSIN EDITH.
Lillian Amcs stood leaning against
the easement of an open widow lead
ing on to a sloping lawn, at 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 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, hazel eyes could melt or
flash at will; the dark lashes shaded
a cheek white as parian marble, with
rarely even q touch of color upon its
velvety surface, and the 1.-the, grace
full 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 low easy
chair, sat young girl of about her
own age. At first glance the exquisite
soul-loveliness of her face paled in
Miss Ames's more brilliant beauty,
but there we're more to love it's pos
SCISSOR, and fewer to envy her. Some
thing like Indignation was IN her
voice, as she addressed her friend.
Il cannot believe that you mean it,
Lillian" she said. "You have been
engaged to Oscar Dering year, and
how can you say SO carelessly that
your engagement shall be broken"
beg pardon!' interrupted the
other, in low, ironical tones. II have
not been engaged to Oscar Dering
twenty-tour hours. 1t was to Lorei
Oscar Derlng ] gave my pledge"
'Oh, but, Lillian, because he has
lost title and estate must he also lose
Tie woman Of his love; Think min
ute. You surely will not give him up
50 easily
Nonsense, Edith. | am twenty
one--no longer girl of an age tc
live upon scntimentalism, but to look
upon the everyday realities of life.
When | engaged myself to Lord Der
ing, l was the subject of congratula-
ton among all my friends. Now tha,
the cousin who was supposed to be
dead, crops into life in some remote
portion OF the globe, and that Oscar
insists upon rcnouncing the propert,
in his behalf without even a struggle
am not content to let these sam,
congratulations lapse into pity
"Oh, Lillian, do you think any ont
could pity you for possessing SO roy
al gift as the love Of such a man
Think better Of it, dear. l know
you care for him. Do not so light,
renounce your life's happiness.
"You plead his case eloquently, IN,
dear. Really, 1 did not know | pos
sessed rival in my fair cousin. Per
haps 4 heart caught in the rebound
you know the rest, Of course, and cal
point the moral
Lillian, you are cruel-cruel
! l.
But the late speaker had passe,
through the open window out of hear
ing. and advanced to meet ma
quickly approaching on the green
sward, while the young gill left be
hind fell back in her chair, the grea
tears coursing down her cheeks. o
which the crimson color sign:
famed.
1t was As though some ruthles
hand had snatched the veil from he
own heart, leaving exposed its mos
cherished secret-a secret she ha
not known herself, until now betraye
by her shame.
II must leave this place. l cannc
meet him again. l must 90 home
But, oh how can she give him up?
Edith Loring and Lillian Anne
were cousins, but the one was til
daughter of clergyman whose rec
tory was some ten miles distant frol
Il Ames Court, one of the noblest e.
tatcs of England, and of which Lillia
was sole helress.
The girls, however, had been clos,
" united. more by the tie of frien,
ship than cousinshiD, since the latte
was distant bond, and Ames Cou
was almost as much Edith's home ;
her hown. Now, however, the hom,
lier charms of the rectory were yer
grateful to her. Here no one coul
probe the discovery SO new to he
self-to trace the scarlet blush whic
seemed so often to burn her cheel
until she wondered that it did n,
leave its brand.
She had been home six weeks, an
twice Oscar Dering had ridden ov,
to see her, but she had always denie
herself TO him on some househOl
pretext, until one morning he owe
took her in the road.
She had been busy with thought
5 him, wondering how he had borne h
: ruptured troth, and reproaching he
self for the cowartlice which hcret
fore had forbidden her meeting hin
t when she heard behind her the quiz
1, tramp of horses hoofs. His rid
| drew rein at her side.
: $50 l am to find you at last"
: sand.
+ His voice sounded the same as
t old-the bright, CHEEKY tone was II
| changed. He was not broken hearte
+ then, or least he did not wear til
cruelly-used portion of his body up'
p his steed.
"Have you not not seen Lilli
lately?" she at last found courage
) ask.
It "No," he answered, and then 8
l. saw the frown gather on his brow, a
d an expression of pain come about |
lips. 81 see as little OF your cous
, as possible. You know, Miss LorIn
d l am no longer subject for CO
d graduation"
n "Yes, l know" she said. "I-
'Don't pity me-" he interrupte
81 can't bear that quite YETI
81 did not mean to pity you," s
). replied.