The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-01-14
Select Story.
MAUD'S COUSIN.

Mrs. De We're Davenport finished
reading the letter that servant had just
brought in. Then she folded it slowly,
and returned it to the yellow envelope,
that was addressed to her in coarse,
sprawling hand. Then she looked at the
gentleman sitting at window reading
the morning Herald.
'Maud's summeriug is settled most
conclusively by the news in this letter,
Mr.. Davenport. Sister Cynthia writes
that her son Willard, Maud's cousin,
will spend the summer between Newport
and Saratoga, and, as natural conse-
quence, he would join our party. So
that poor little Maud must not go with
Leo and me.
Mr.. Davenport looked sharply up from
his paper.
Whats the reason? don't suppose
Mauds cousin can hurt her, and it
seems a shame to deprive her of her
season.
Mrs. Davenport's thin, handsome lips
relaxed into cold smile.
Il dare say-men never think OF such
things; but, my dear, it would be sheer
est idiocy on our part to expose Maud to
the society of her cousin. He may be
handsome-all the Maurices are-and he
certainly is poor. Suppose-just sup
pose-Maud took it into her head to-
to fancy him?'
well, suppose she did?'
Mrs. Davenport gave little, impatient
exclamation, that her liege knew, from
long experience, meant that she fully
intended to carry out her own arrange
ments, in spite of his view and perfor
mances.
well, he wont--that is one consola
ton. Maud shall not meet William
Maurice. at least this summer, while sh,
is so young and romantic, and impres
sionable. She will have to give up New
port and Saratoga and spend the tim
we are away with her grandmother, VI
at the farm in Jefferson county.
So all because Willard Maurices dea
old mother had written to her elegant
wealthy sister, who lived on Fifth Ave
nue., New York, that her son Willar'
would Join his aunt and cousin at tn
fashionable resorts, poor little Maud
Davenport was forced to give up her an
ticipated round of pleasure and gaiety.
i think it is too bad, mamma; jus
too bad for anything, she said, her pret
ty eyes, blue as forget-me nots, film!
with rebelious tears
You must make the best of it, Mrs
Davenport said chillingly. Its quite
shame but unavoidable. And really yo
will find that, up in Jefferson county
there are most charming places. tn
Thousand Islands, the fishing, the boat
ing, the pic-nics, the views, the air. Io
will not have such an unenviable time
'Bnt | want to 60 with you and Lee
Mamma, | just hate Willard Mauric
for spelling my summer SOL
But, despite Maude'syexation and di
appointment, and pretty little rebellion
when her mother wrote to the farm, sa.
ing that, if agreeable, she would send h'
youngest girl out for the summer, whe
the time of departure came, two days a
ter Mrs Davenport and Leo left for the
outing, Maud was in good spirits an
went off quite reconciled.
Il shall like it mp on the st. Lawren'
1
And then, when her father had kis
ed her goodbye, and left her safe al
satisfied in Grandma Cleveland's charg
Maude was quite positive that she wou
enjoy it all vastly.
And so she did, for a week or tw
and then she began to get lonely, al
dear old Grandma racked her brains f
amusements and diversions, and
length was seized with happy thougl
that resulted in an announcement a we,
later, that was most acceptable to Alau
I've Just had letter from one of 4
girls. and she's going to send one of t
children out for spell. It'll be qui
company for you, Maudie.'
oh, dear, yes hope auntie--whi
auntie is it Grandma? Aunt Cynthia,
aunt Samantha Anyhow | hope sh,
send somebody that knows how to ha
a good out-of-door time. And / am
glad its one of the younger ones. !
lieve a grown up girl or a young IN
would be Il nuisance instead "A relief,
Grandma peered over the silver-rim
ed glasses
Il wrote particular to have some G
of the children sent knew you'd ia
er have it so. You must be all ready
tomorrow, Maud
Maud laughed,
Il don't know how to get rea
grandma. don't know whether TO
out my dominoes and jackstraws fo
boy or my fancy work and my autogr'
album for girl