The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-09-25
NAB.
[Alta Oalifornian.l

They wondered what she would be like
the new cousin who was coming to Red
wood.
II believe she il called Nab" said Paps
Reed. 81 think she was named Mabel. She
is about seventeen, and has been at school
for the last six years. She has no home
now that her grandfather is dead, and must
come to us. More than that can not tell
you, girls Whether she is tall or short
dark or fair, pretty or ugly, I cah not say
never saw her in my life"
so Bell and Gerty wondered. All their
lives they had lived very quietly ut Red
age. educated by private teachers, and never
having been five miles from the spot where
they were first born.
II was no wonder. therefore, that they
thought curiously of this unknown cousin,
born on the sea, who had gone abroad as a
child, who home had been among the White
Mountains, who had spent so many years at
school, and could remember no mother.
''She must be very lonely" said gentle
Gerty.
''She must know great deal to have trav-
eled about so much" said stately Bell.
They were tall, graceful, soft-eyed girls,
having much sweetness of nature, and q
singular, delicate beauty, inherited from
their mother; and after awhile they came to
the conclusion that Nab, being q maternal
cousin, looked like themselves.
Il hope she likes music" said Gerty, land
sings"
Il wonder if she emtroiders. and can do
fancy work2' added Bell
Il am told that she is very highly accom-
plished," said Mrs. Reed, thoughtfully, shut
20 are you, my dears."
Like most mothers, she hoped that the un
known cousin would not prove q rival to
her own charming girls. And yet she was
prepared to love the orphan and be very
kind to her.
at will be evening when they get here.
/ hope the open CRATE and the lights will
make the rooms look pleasant and homelike
to James daughter" said Mrs. Reed.
Gerty practiced, and Bell embroidered
Parma violets, until the clock struck Z,
when they heard wheels upon the drive and
rushed to the door.
1t was dark. but by the light of the car
risge-lamps they saw Mr.. Reed hand to the
ground a petite, dainty figure, so small AS
to be child-like; but there was the grace
and confidence of a princess in the air of the
girl as she gathered up her rich travelling
dress and turned to the door. Mr.. Reed
came up the steps at her side.
This is Nab my dears. Come right in
to the fire. 1t is chilly night"
In moment they found themselves all
together within the luxurious parlor, and
Nab heard the gentle tones of her aunt and
cousins. They took her wraps, and she
stood revealed among them, delicate little
creature, yet with q strange air of complete
elf-possession.
thank you. have not suffered from
the weather. am very comfortable" she
said; yet there was GOODNESS, or something
akin to it, in the silvery sweet voice, and
Bell and Gerty instantly conceived the idea
that she was a great deal older than them
sel-ss.
she was seventeen, she said, and was very
glad to have left school, and thought Red
wood would be very pleasant. Gradually,
tie soft solicitude which had filled Mrs.
Reeds face gave way to look of gravity
and trouble. Nab was so utterly different
from her own timid, confding girls that she
began 10 feel at loss with her. And in
less than half an hour, Bell and Gerty were
conscious of a feeling of disappointment
At length came the hour of retiring.
81 Will give you o bedroom adjoining
your cousins, NAB" Mrs. Reed said, $50
that you may not feel lonely; and if you
need an ything in the night, be sure to speak
For an instant she fancied grateful look
in the long-lashed blue eyes, but the cool,
siivery voice was unaltered, and thinking her.
self mistaken, she contented herself with q
gentle good night, and saw Nab go away
with her cousins.
81 declare haven't kissed herl wonder
If she cares for one among us?" said Mrs.
Reed to her husband. "She is q very self
lo1r onA-onA anuno6nW
seems to hold me at arm's-length."
"She is quite pretty and well-bred. You'll
like her, I've no doubt, when you get better
acquainted"
Up stairs, Gerty had said to Nab:
''Shall help you undress? Perhaps you
would like to have me, if you are very tired
often help mamma and Bell"
Nab declined, politely, but her eyes dwelt
an instant on the lovely face of her cousin
with look of wonder. Something hard
and giittering she placed on the dressing
table by the bed. Gerry turned pale.
"a pistoll'' she faltered, involuntarily.
Eyes. Are you afraid? You need not
be-" replied Nab. IL have been forced to
travel a great deal alone, and l find it il
safer to carry one" she added, quickly un-
threading her brown braids.
al would not touch one for the worldl
don't think we ever had one in the house
before" answered Gerty.
She saw Nab lock the pistol in o drawer
before she went to bed. The next morning
she reported the incident to her mother.
What strange grill" exclaimed Mrs
Reed.
She was forced to repeat the ejaculation
many times during the next three months
Nab did not care for embroidery. She sang
and played magnifcently. She also rode
horseback, could drive two horses, and
liked to take long, lonely walks over thu
hills,
She was faultlessly polite and pleasant
and seemed to like her cousins; but Their
was, somehow; q shadow between her ant
them. Bell said. They did not get on vel
or talk together, and their tastes did no
seem congenial-even in music.
Nab seemed sometimes to delight in mino
airs, and even played dirges often, INIT
they would beg her t. desist. There wa
something passionate and forceful in he
nature utterly unknown to her gentle dove
like cousins.
Mrs. Reed felt this vaguely. though nc
quite understanding it, and wondered whs
she should do to win the orphans heart.
1t was singulsrly happy home, full G
love and refinement. Mrs. Reed had th
pleasure of seeing that, under her kind car,
Nab gained in health and hesh, and actual