Middletown transcript., 1883-11-30

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thing, there was no more a CousiI
Richard in the world for me, but, fol
the first sweet first, the man who love(
me-he who had bound my soul fol
ever, whom 1 worshipped now for aye
What cared l if it were ?
I was in the fullness of this ecstasy
the morning the good news came. Il
was too young a passion yet to dread
surroundings, to admit the dreariness
the doubt of what might be in store
for it there had been scant time from
its absorbing, and so it was with nc
rallying hope heard Aunt Barbara'S
words-only with deeper joy, He
was coming, as I knew he would
coming, my own true lover, to
Bliss broken on all too rudely. What
meant it that l was to be thus sum-
marily banished from Bonnycrest
She had fathomed my fond secret she
had surprised me some time with him,
talking to him, as 1 often did when
we were alone ? She thought me alto
gether too foolish a little gill for this
dear, dear son of hers Or, was it
simply Aunt Barbara's notion that
cousins should not marry?
So l wondered standing before her,
amid the rising wrath and defiance my
very dismay awoke With a still wrath
full, defiant face l stood now and looked
up at Richards picture-the next mo-
ment to laugh little merry laugh, to
wonder only why I had cared.
simply would not go to Medford.
had my plan, and was ready to un-
lock the door and escape that minute
Aunt Barbara's step sounded in the
hall. 1 said no more I packed my
trunk, 1 wrote the letter announcing
my coming, all with readiness / could
see was a charming surprise to poor
Aunt Barbara, and laughing always,
always in the very ecstasy of the lie.
Those were blissful days awaiting
Richard. Oftener and oftener, with an
e'en growing joy, 1 stole into the little
parlor to bare my soul to the tender
eyes, to whisper fondly, to revel in the
precious things the dear lips answered
me. Thursday dawned, bright day
in accord with all. Richard was to
come on the early train, and, in pursu-
ance of my plan, I managed when l
heard the whistle to step out Of the
house.
There was little clump of trees
down the roadway where [ had planned
to wait. [ reached it only in time to
see a man walking rapidly round the
curve, gazing about him with a strange,
absent air, even that exciting moment
I could but note. But it was he, my
love and, with my beating heart, 1
hurried out and up to him.
"Richard -
1 had placed my hand on his arm, 1
stood gazing up at him-I know not |
what in my eyes. His breaking smile,
the puzzled look on his face, suddenly |
recalled to me that we were strangers.
cit iS-''
"Elsie your Cousin Elsie," broke
in, confusedly, on his question.
"Oh yes remember there was a
little Elsie" He drew my arm in his
as he spoke, and walked on with me,
chatting pleasantly, towards the house.
Life was a big reality to me these mo-
ments I could but smile as recalled
the weeks romancing, and yet it was
all so sweet, 50 satisfying, I quite for
got my plan. remembered in dismay
as suddenly saw Aunt Barbara has
tening down to meet us.
What should 1 do? [ had meant to
plead his influence that should not go
to Medford | knew then, | know now,
it would be of all avail. had done
nothing, my chance was over; and yet
more than ever l could not, 1 would
not go. For unto this reality, unto
this man older, gray-locked eyen-this
man SO different from my pictured
lover-I knew myself drawn with a
deeper worship than had moved my
most romantic dream.
What should 1 do !? | was debating
the question desperately by myself
little later, when Aunt Barbara came
to me. The old look was in her eyes.
Richard insists you shall stay here,
Elsie, and so you cannot, you must not
60"
It was a blissful drop. There was
keen ache in my heart that 1 had no
lover that unto this man I loved 50
fondly 1 was, and doubtless would be
always, Cousin Elsie. But hope arose
now madly, and determination he
liked me from the first, and he would
come to love me he would, he must.
The days passed, a blissful dream.
In their very break saw it all fulfilled;
1 knew had my lover. 1t was all
very calm, very quiet it was long ere
he spoke a deciding word. But from
the look in his eyes when we were alone,
from the sweet, tender ways, to legion
of little nothings a girls heart learns
to read SO quickly, knew what I was
growing unto him. And reveled with
a bare soul before him in the sure bright
days to come.
But did not forget Aunt Barbara.
Whatever the matter in her heart
against us, l resolved, as long as it
might be, to spare her pain, Iguarded
my looks, my acts maintained in her
presence SO natural, so cousinly a
demeanor towards Richard, that, after
the first few weeks, saw the troubled
look fade from her eyes, and knew her
fears were at end.
Till that fateful night. The autumn
evenings were balmy and warm, and