The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-06-10
Cousin Edith.


easement of an open window leading on t,
sloping lawn, at whose base flowed sun
ny, ripping stream of water.
It was one of England's fairest scenes OF
which her eyes rested, and she was one Of
Englands fairest daughters. Even at thil
moment, spite of the fact that her brow i
gathered in a frown, and the full, red lip
are unmistahably pouting, her beauty is un
deniable.
few bold spirits have declared there wa,
little soul in the face but the large, haze
eyes could melt or flash at viii; the darl
lashes shaded cheek white as parian mar
BILE, with rarely even touch of color upon
its velvety surface, and the 1.-the, graceful
figure even unconsciously assumed new
grace in each unstudied poise, until one for.
got the question of soul in its perfect out.
ward desh and blood tabernacle.
- Near her, reclining on low easy chair,
sat young girl Of about her own age. At
first glance the exquisite soulloyeliness OF
her face paled in Miss Ames's more brilliant
beauty, but there were more to love its pos
SCISSOR, and fewer to envy her. Something
like indignation was IN her voice, as she ad.
dressed her friend.
cannot believe that you mean it, Lii
ian," she said. s''You have been engaged
to Oscar Dering year, and how can you say
80 careiessly that your engagement shall be
broken"
Beg pardon! Interrupted the other, in
low, ironical tones. r'' have not been en-
gagged to Oscar Dering twenty-four hours.
1t was to Lord Oscar Dering I 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 SO easily
Nonsense, Edith! I am twenty-one-
no longer girl of an age to live upon senti-
but to look upon the everyday
realities of life. When I engaged myself to
Lord Dering,, I was the subject of congratu-
lation among all my friends. Now that the
eousinwhe 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 q strug-
gle, I am not content to let these same con-
gratulations lapse into PITY"
]" Oh, Lillian, do you think any one could
pity You for possessing so royal gift as the
love of such a man? Think better of it,
dear. I know you care for him. Do not SO
lightly renomce your iife's happiness"
I, IL
lear. Really, I did not know possessed
rival In my fair cousin. Perhaps heart
taught in the rebound-you know the rest,
Of course, and can point the moral"
g Lillian, yon are oruel-cruel, l."
But the late speakerhad passed through the
'pen window out of hearing, and advanced
% meet man quickly approaching ON the
yreensward. while the young girl left behind
ell back IN her chair, the great tears cours-
ng down her cheeks, on which the crimson
,olor signal famed.
1t was as though some ruthless hand had
the veil from her own heart, leav-
ng exposed its most cherished secret-a Sc
ret she had not known herself, until now
betrayed by her shame.
81 must leave this place. / cannot meet
,im again. l. must go home! But, OIL
low can she give him up?"
Edith Loring and Lillian Ames were cou-
ins, but the one was the daughter of cler-
lyman whose rectory was some ten miles
listant from Ames Court, one of the noblest
states OF. Epgland and Of which Lillian was
ole heiress
The girls however, had been closely
Inited, more by the tie Of friendship
han cousinship, since the latter was
listant bond and Ames Court was almost
s much Edith's home as her own. Now,
vere very grateful to he4 Here no one
ould probe the discovery SO new to her.
eh-to trace the scarlet blush which
eemed SO often to burn her cheek, un-
j she wondered that it did not leave its
rand.
She had been home six weeks, and twice
oscar Dering had ridden over to see her,
ut she had always denied herself to him on
ome household pretext, until one morning
e overlook her in the road.
She had been busy with thoughts of him,
how he had borne his ruptured
roth, and reproaching herself for the cow
rdice which heretofore had forbidden her
,eeting him, when she heard behind her the
rev rein at her side.
So am to find you at last" he said.
His voice sounded the same as of old
be bright, CHEEKY tone was unchanged. He
,as not en-hearted, then, or at least he
id not wear that cruelty used portion of his
ody upon his steed
"Have you not seen Lillian lately ?" she
{ last found courage to ask.
"No," be answered, and then she saw the
rown gather on his brow, and an express
ion of pain come about his lips. "I see -
title of your cousin as possible. You know,
Iiss Loring, am no longer q subject for
"Yes, know" she said CT"
"Don't pity me-" he interrupted. 81
amt bear that quite yet"
81 did not mean to pity you," she re-
lied"
And then the conversation drifted into |
ther channels.
"Oh, if Lillian had not spoken of the
cart caught in the rebound" she thought,
hen week after week Oscar Dering would !
nd his way to the rectory garden, or the
ectory parlor, to spend long hours with its
air young mistress.
She understood SO well why he came, be-
a,lse now and then Lillian's name drifted
ITO the idle talk, and because, as he grew
Ironger, he dared speak of her and the love
9 had boxns hey. It wss . mingled pain