The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-10-13
COUSIN KATE.

dled, leaving his one child Cousin Kate, a
penniless and homeless orphan.
" Let her come and live with u.s. sug.
gested eagerly. /" We are rich, papa, and !
will love her dearly"
My father nodded and smiled.
g And when the eighteenth birthday
comes, and Philip Ransom arrives to claim
his bride, you can go sailing to fresh fields
and pastures new and Katie can keep
house for me. Is that the idea, Ada p'
But pouted, somewhat rebelliously, and
tossed o vain little head.
Philip seems in no hurry to urge his
Slain. He makes quite sure that when he
throws the handkerchief shall not fail to
pick it up. Let him take care do not dis
appoint him."
And indeed had some neglect to CON-
plain of. Philip and had been engaged
for nearly year, and as yet l had never
seen him since the engagement, that is tc
say; nor for several years before it.
As children we had played together many
> time. / liked him we'll enough in those
days. He WAS a merry playfellow, some
seven years my senior.
His uncle and adopted father, Mr.. Ram
som, had been my godfather and my fathers
dearest friend. II was their wish that
Philip and should marry.
To that end he left his fortune to me, on
condition that should become Philips
wife upon my eighteenth birthday If
refused the money should go to him.
Nobody seemed to have thought of his
refusing, nor was such contingency really
probable; he was somewhat wild young
man of expensive habits, and If that fortune
failed him, he had no means to live.
And l was just "sweet seventeen"
belle and beauty, in modest, country
iashion-why should he refuse to marry
me
Such an idea never crossed my mind.
had some notion-some grlish, romantic
fancy of Turing him on and inspiring him
with mad passion for me, and then re-
jecting him with scorn for ] was piqued
at his neglect of my charms, and the foE
tune was of secondary Importance in my
eyes, my father being rich enough already.
But when he came, all such ideas van.
ished He was SO handsome, winning
fascinating altogether, that succumbed al
once.
Our country beaus stood no chance ct ell
beside him. There had been one, indeed
Roy Elliston-for whom my heart put in
few pleading pangs Roy was such noble
fellow, and knew he loved me well---but
1t was no use; was charmed, intoxicated
with vanity and pride. The grace, the
dash, the high-bred, city style of my new
lover carried the field and won the prize
almost without an effort
never knew that Cousin Kate and he
had been acquainted until went to intro
duce them to each other; and then she told
me, with heightened color, that they had
met before.
It was odd, thought, that she should
not have mentioned it, for she had been
with as now SOME time, and we had talked
much of my engagement.
There was nothing to tell, she said,
quietly. Poor papa taught languages as
you know, Ada, and Mr.. Ransom was one
of his pupils for time. OF course some
times met him. I did not suppose there
would be anything interesting to you in
learning this. It is not as If you were in
love with him."
I felt my face flush red.
g / am in love with him ~ cried, in
dignantly--and really believing my own
words. do you suppose that 1 would
marry him else 2"
Kate said no moie. She had always been
rather silent and sad ever since she came,
as was natural SO soon after poor uncle's
death she became paler and more sorrow
full than ever now, thought; but that WINS
natural, too, poor cousin If she contrasted
her lonely, bereaved life with mine.
For I had everything home, father,
friends--a splendid lover, of whom / was
fond and proud; youth and some beauty
and large fortune--while what had she
Friends, certainly, and home with MS;
and youth and beauty far superior to mine,
but she was poor and lonely, and very sad
80 sad that my heart ached for her.
s'You shall be my chief bridemaid, !"
said I, trying to cheer her, "and you
shall go with us TO Europe, if you will.
Who knows bat may find you rich
husband there, and you may be as happy
as II"
g could moi, could not" she said,
with curious catching of her breath, and
a sudden palior. Would you have q
bridemaid in mourning? am in mourn.
ing for all love-for all love and shall
be till diep'.
There was an accent Of despair in her
voice, and tears sprung in her eyes.
I took her hand; but she drew 1t away
with quick shudder.
II am not 80 blest as you," she said.
" You had another lover who loved you
well; you are happy woman would
not 60 with you for the wide world I
should cause you to share my sorrow, per-
haps, which God forbid |"
:" I would be glad to share it, IL by so
doing could comfort you,' said warmly.
" And so would Philip, too. You don't
know how kindly he thinks of you, Kate.
Dear cousin III stole my arms around her
-" don't be SO sad. Some day some one
will love you, perhaps, as he loves me-"
She looked up quickly into my face.
!" You make quite sure he loves you ?" she
said, bitterly.
"Quits sure" answered, rather
startled. :" If doubted it | would not
marry him for all tine world !"
'sAnd then you would lose the fortune"
she said, as II to herself then, with shud-
dering sigh: All, we'll, 1t must be so
You are lucky girl, and good girl, too.
God give you happiness, both Of you, both."
Then she drew me to her suddenly and
kissed me. Don't speak Of this, even to
me again, dear. I, too, loved once, more
than you love with all my heart, with all
my soul, and poverty parted us. Your
happiness reminds me Of my misery, which
I WIS learning to forget"
After that she kept out Of our way more
and more, and I, plying and respecting