Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-11-11
Cousin Edith.

Lillian Ames stood leaning against the
easement of an open window leading on to a
sloping lawn, at whose base flowed a sunny,
rppling stream of water.
1t was one of England's fairest daughters.
Even at this moment spite of the fact that
her brow Is gathered in frown. and the
red, full lips are Enthusiastically pouting, her
beauty is undeniable
A few bold spirits had declar-d d that there
was little soul in the face; but the large
hazel eyes could melt or flash at will; the
dark lashes shaded cheek as white as Pa
risn marble, with rarely even touch of
color upon its velvety surface; and the
1.-THE, graceful figure even unconsciously
assumed a new grace in each unsteady
poise, until one forgot the question of soul
in its perfect outward flesh and blood ia
bernacle.
Near her, reclining on low easy chair,
sat a young girl of about her own age.
AT first glance the exquisite soul-loyeliness
of her face paled in Miss Ames's brilliant
beauty, but there were more to love its pos
SCISSOR, and fewer to envy her. Something
like Imagination was in her voice, as she
| addressed her friend.
II cannot believe that you mean It, Lii
lian, " she said. 'You have been engaged
to Oscar Dering for year, and how can
you say so carelessly that your engagement
shall be broken"
BEG pardon." interrupted the other, in
low, ironical tones, 81 have not yet been
engaged to Oscar Derlng twenty -four
hours. 1t was to Lord Oscar Dering gave
my pledge"
"Oh, but Lillian, because he has lost
title and estate must he also lose the woman
of his love? Think minute. You surely
will not give him up 50 easilyl
Nonsense, Edith am 21-no longer a
girl of an age to live upon sentimentalism,
but to look upon everyday realities of life.
When l engaged myself to Lord D,r.ng; |
was the subject OF congratulation among all
my friends. Now that the cousin who was
supposed to be dead crops into life in some
remote portion of the globe, and that Oscar
insists upon renounclng the property in his
behalf without even struggle, | am not
content to let these same congratulations
lapse into pity"
''Oh, Lillian, do you think anyone could
pity you for possessing 30 royal gift as
the love of such man? Think better of it,
dear; knew you care for him. Do not SO
lightly renounee young hfe's happiness"
''You plead his case eloquently, my dear.
Really did not know possessed rival in
my fair cousin. Perhaps heart caught in
the rebonnd-you know the rest, of course,
and can point the moral"
LILLIAN, you are ecruel-cruel!-I-' But
the late speaker had passed through the
window out of hearing, and advanced tc
meet man qnickly approaching on the
green sward, while the young girl left be-
hind 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 hand had
snatched the veil from her own heart, leav'
NC exposed its most cherished secret-a
secret she had not known herself until now
betrayed by her shame.
81 must leave this place. cannot meet
him again; must go home. But, Oh how
can she give him up!'
Edith Loring and Lillian Ames were
cousins, bat the one was the daughter of 6
clergyman whose rectOry was some ter
miles distant from Ames court, and one Of
the noblest estates of England, and ol
which Lillian was sole heiress.
The girls, however, had been closely
united, more by the tie of friendship thar
cousinship, since the latter was distan
bond, and Ames court was almost as much
Edith home as her own. Now, however
the homelier charms of the rectory were
very grateful to her. Here no one coulC
prove the discovery so new to herself-tc
trace the scarlet blush which seemed *
often to burn her cheek, until she wondered
that 1t did not leave its brand.
She had been home six weeks, and twice
Oscar Dering had driven over to see her
but she had always denied herself to hin
on some household pretext, Until one morn
he overlook her in the road.
She had been busy with thoughts of him
wondering how he had borne his ruptureC
troth, and reproaching herself for the COW