Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-29
CHAPTER X.
THE FRACTIONAL COUSIN.

THE FRACTIONAL COUSIN.
Miss Clauson showed very little interest in
tho approaching visit. To this curious and,
at times, almost apathctc young woman it
seomed as il all Young lAen We're alike, al
though We have So 1 that she wa, capable of
showing strong feeling and emotion, us when
she rejected Mr.. MorCllos love.
The only sentiments Miss Clauson felt about
Frank Carrlthers We're these: She was rather
glad lie was not a clergyman, and rather sorry
no was q sort of cousin. She was not very
partial to clargylnea, and sho thought that
male cousins We're apt to presume on their
relationship Perhaps the do.
She had not even the interest which falls
to tho lot of hostess in preparing for tho ar
rival Of guest Herbert himself had seen
that the large feather bed in the chintz room
had been carried down and aired at the
kitchen fire He had with his own hands
given out the needful blankets, cOunterpanes,
sheets and pillow cases; had even looked to
lhe match box and pin cushion.
So, with something akin to indifference,
Beatrice saw tho dye gate open and Horace
bring the ho:, = an large wagonetto up to
tho door. She nyticel that the young man
who sat beside .,n looked rather pale and
washed out Shs saw several portmanteaus
handed out and so came to the conclusion he
intended maliiu., long stay. Then she 70
sImed the book she was reclng. 1t was far
more interesting than any young man
Nor was she disturbed for some time. 1t
was close upon the Iced, Beatrice
was alrcad dressed; so tAc Talbarts took
their guest T. his room, and left him to make
his evening toilet. just before tho gong
sounded tho three men entered the drawing
room, and FRANK was duly presented TO MISS
Clauson.
" bap n Jpa " 4
their fate to spend several weeks together in
country house, and when there is family
connect IN between them, it is no use COM
monciny by being distant to one another.
At lea, so thought Frank CarrutherS, foI
he shoe hands with Miss Clauson, and began
~ king to her as if he had known her all his
lY. Bca.rice fit sure he meant to presume
Oh his relationship.
STU sho was worry civil and kind to him
and Welcomed hifa to Oakbury By and by
in tbs course of his easy conversation he
mar what struck her as being an origina
ren- TX. What it Yves is not recorded, but
as original remarks grow scarcer every day
any young Inan who makes one minute
af. r his first introduction to young lady i.
50 .ething out of the common run. Sc
/ atrico for the first time really looked t.
2 what he was like. You may depend hi
.ad made up his mind about her looks a
onco.
He was pale and appeared thin and over
worked. by tho side Of Horace and Herber
he seemed a short, slight man, although Ii,
was quite middle height, and if thin ha(
plenty of muscle He was very handsome il
his own style and had a clever, intellectual
look in his face His eyes were darl, anc
keen, not restless eyes, yet seemed to glance
at everything quickly and enable HIM in ,
second TO make up his mind about the obiec
at which no looked. There was an expression
lowering about his mouth which a physioe
nomist would have told you limited at sar
casm, and his chin proclaimed that he had
will of lis own.
BY the ti,no Beatrice had finished her SUI
yey, and before she had come to am decision
except that he was by no means Unlocking
tho gong sounded. Horace offered his arm
his niece, and led her TO the dining-room, TO
lowed by Herbert and Frank
They dined at round table, pulled almos
up to the window. 1t was pleasant at tn
time of year to be able to look out on the ga
den. If everybody knew the comfort of
round table when the party is small, Ii
whole stock in the country would be at ono
bought up
After all, in spite Of his pale face, theI
seemed little the matter with Mr.. Carruther
His appetite was fair one; butif a man coul
not make a good dinner at lakewood Houl
his interior organization must be in stat
past REDEMPTION. So no ate like n hnle ma