The daily gazette., 1882-01-02
ONLY A COUSIN.
BIZ q. A.

NoiiloS Wnat IN the name Of won
der ID the matter with you 7 One Ca
scarcely speak TO you nowadays with
out seeing tears in your eyes or clou
upon your brow. Now, what did
say or do to make you CRY in tina
manner? Tell me ~
Here the speakers voice softene,
from the annoyed, heightened tone b.
had at first adopted.
The person addressed stood at tb,
window, half hid by the dark, nowin,
curtains, sobbing audibly. Twas
slight, girlIsh figure soft, colder
ringlets fell in rich profusion to hsl
slender waist and the tiny hands
like snOw-nakes, were clasped cOnvul
sively before her fair face, while the
tears fell thick and fast. No answer
came only the sobs grew louder and
more hysterical.
swell, I've either to stay here and
listen TO the rain and storm all the
morning, or go and see pretty Maude
Melton, look into her bewitchIng black
eyes, aud learn my fate. Which must
do, Nell ?"
And Harry Mordaunt threw his nut
brown curls from his high, white
brow, and then leaned back lazily in
his armchair.
"Don't care what becomes of me I
Umph Oh, l know what's the mat
ter George hasn't been here for two
days; he Is a scamp to cause your dear
heart so much pain. Why, my darling
cousin, I'll go this minute and find
the truant he'll come back here In a
hurry, I'll vouch for it. Then what
will become of me2 Oh, I'll drop in
an hour or two at my own Maude's.
Hasn't she the rosiest cheeks and
blackest eyes YOU ever gazed upon 2"
No answer.
''Nellie, say ~ And there was a
merry twinkle in his halEclosed eyes
as the pettish reply, "What do you
want? ?' came from the pouting, red
lirs.
'Come here ~
81 shall not p
"Oh, yes, you will. Come, Nell
lie !"
"No, / WON'T"
81 have something to tell you. Come
along" Aud the cruel young gentleman
turned bis handsome face toward her,
and held out both hands invitlngly.
Nellie raised her fearful blue ewes for
a moment TO his countenance; but the
long lashes Instantly swept the flushed
cheeks, and, though taking one step for
ward, she said, poutIngly
"Pm not coming near You, you hate
ful thing, after what you have said just
now"
"What l said just now What did
say ?"
"You know very well how cross you
we're TO me; and then you said that this
was q dull old house, and everybody
stupid 10 II; and, and"
The other little foot slipped cautiously
up to its mate.
"Did say thatP 1t must have been
when / was at the window, and you
wouldn't kiss me. Sure enough, / re-
membe. now. But come, Nellie, sit
beside me and tell me all about 1t. NY
memory IS not very good"
Here he drew up q low.cushioned
foot stool, and very nearly bit off one
end OF bis pet mustache as he noted the
little form approaching nearer.
" on never treated me 10 This way
when you first came home from col
leee, but you we're as gentle aud kind
as-as-"
The poor little thing choked down the
rising tears, and sat cautiously down on
one side of the low seat.
"Look o1t-yOu'll fall There, now.
this position is much more comfortA
0le;' and Nellie found her curly head
resting on Henry's chest, and his strong
arm tenderly encircllng her waist. Then |
the hood-gates were raised again, and
how the ram fell
"Darling, wee cousin, what grieves |
you? Do you regret sending poor
George Hunter away with that sad,
stricken heart IL is not too late to |
recall him. Write one line on this slip |
Of paper, and I'll hasten with the speed |
Of Mercury, and make all right between
you. What You hate George Hunter
and everybody else, and you wish you
were dead? Hush, Nellie; 1t makes me |
shudder TO hearAyou talk so. Dead |
how could / live without Nellie. nv |
own dear love, my darling? Aud you |
hate, too, poor IL HenTy, who loves this |
wee trembling dove 80 much ?n
"De you. Henry-do.you? Are Won |
in earnest? But of course you love
me Pm your cousin !" and she sighed |
heavily as the sunny head rested once |
m Dre on It's loving pillow. "Henry,
| am sorry was SO cross and SO |
bad tempered. Can you forgive |
me"
The blue eyes were raised entreat-
ingly, but he evaded them, and kept |
his gazing into the fire.
II will il you'll Hiss me %
"No, no, Henry, l cannot"
mot when | tell you that am CO.
Ing far away tomorrow, and may
never see you again2"
"Oh, tits not SO. You are not 90.
ing away, dear, dear Henry l should |
be so lonely without you don't leave
NE ?"
eyes, must. Win you kiss me Y''
The little form trembled but it
slowly arose, and, looking sadly at the
aVerted face of her exacting cousin,
answered II cannot comply with
your request, Henry but will nothing
change your purpose about leaving us
SO soon ~
How her voice quivered, though
she tried to speak so calmly. The
hard hearted wretch how serenely he
appeared.
"Nothiug-nothing except a sweet
kiss from proud little Nell, and a