Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-09
HIS COUSIN

stolen away from parties through back
doors, and once through a kitchen
window, to prevent his going home
with her
''But he is fine young mana thor
oughly estimable young man. said
her father impatiently.
She was twenty now, and expected
to use a little reason.
II know it," said Beth.
'.And-I don't want to influence you
on that score, Elizabeth" said her
mother gently; "but it would be such
a good thing for you, my dear! He is
the best-off young man in town. With
all the property his father owns, and
his own good business, his prospects
are quite brilliant"
Il know it, said Beth dOlefully.
'sAnd there is nobody else you care
about" said her father conclusively.
Don't be reckless, my child!''
And so it happened that when Beth
went to the Ogdens' big new house to
tea, to meet some distant cousins of
Henry's who were visiting him, there
was sparkling diamond on her left
hand.
She could have guessed that Miss
Knapp was near relative of Henry's.
She had the same statuesQue tallness
and self-respectful dignity of manner.
Beth had pronounced it stiffness be-
fore she wore the diamond; but now
she dutifully forbore to give it name.
But her brother Frank! Beth would
never have dreamed that he was q
cousin. He was bright-eyed, curly
haired, quick-mOtioned, with a ready
smile and a clever way of saying
things, and happy faculty Of keeping
everybody amused.
Henry and Miss Knapp, to be sure,
did not seem greatly amused. They
sat calmly in two large chairs in the
porch corner, looking over book OF
engravings and talking on dignifed
subjects.
But Beth sat on the top step, with
Frank on the next, and laughed gaily
at his pleasant drollery, and admired
his handsome good-humored face, and
enjoyed herself as she hadn't for ever
so long. He was so different from
Henry.
She was not sure that she should
have laughed when he got her hat and
jacket, and pretended to be Ophelia in
the mad scene; or when, on their way
to supper, he stopped to mount the
hall stairs and slide down the baluster
She was afraid she shouldn't have,
because Henry looked distinctly disap-
proving, and Miss Knapp remained
serious.
And she was rather glad when, in
the pleasant dusk of the evening, some
body proposed a little walk, since Hen
rvs cousin had seen nothing of the
town.
Nov we can laugh all we want to-
said Frank with a whimsical smile, Of
fering her his arm outside the gate.
Nov we can giggle and not be lee
tured."
Beth tried not to smile. or to return
his bright glances smypathetically;
but she did both.
''Alice is the best girl in the world,n
Frank proceeded, ''and Henry's good
fellow; but to spirits like ourselves
they're little oppressive. don't you
think?n
He was looking at her eagerly, with
a warm admiration under the smiling
brightness of his eyes.
And Beth drew back in sudden con-
science-stricken alarm.
'.No-I don't know. Certainly l
cughtn't to say So"
'sWhy not?" he questioned blithely.
Beth looked at him. No, it was
plain that he didn't know she was to
marry his cousin Henry. He had not
been told, or he had not understood.
There was a queer little sinking at
her heart. She was to marry Henry,
of course; but-how different they
were! And why did he look at her in
that wayP
She caught her breath with some
thing like sob, and began hurriedly
to talk fast about the houses they were
passing
Its a pretty street." Frank OBJ
served; land this little side-street looks
prettier yet. Let's investigate. Just
leave us to our own devices; we're 60
inc to explore" he called to the state
ly couple behind them, and whirled
Beth around the corner.
1t was pretty street. and the moon
was rising softly, and warm breeze
was stirring, and Frank was in the gay
est mood imaginable.
Beth laughed helplessly, till her
cheeks were crimson and her breath
was gone.
'.Peaches" said the young man halt
ing to look over the high fence of a
back yard ''Now, Miss Moody, who
could resist them? Look at them"
Il could resist them, and so should
you," Beth responded promptly, '.if
they didn't belong to my Uncle John.
This is his place, and he gives US all
we want Don't think I'd let you get
them if they weren't his" she said
with laughing dignity.
Its providence, p" said Frank from
the other side of the fence. Get your
handkerchief or something ready, Miss
Moody. We can treat the other peo-
pie"
Dear me! What was that, Mr..
Knapp?" Beth queried.
1t was an ominously low orowl.
"a dogi' said Frank from lower
limb of the tree. Does your Uncle
John keep one?"
No. Beth responded. "Mr. Knapp
mercy! Do YOU know-why, how
could 1? How stupid! 1t isn't Uncle
Johns yard; his is next. Don't you
see? The two are so much alike, and
in this light Do come down Mr.
Knapp! somebody's coming
1t was too late. A burly form,
grasping the chain of the big dog
which followed, came trotting pant
ingly round the corner of the house, as
Frank stepped to the ground.
Hold on there, young mani'' a
wrathful voice called out Don't We
stir step, or ye'H be sorry for it!''
And the burly man, breathless and
,-oJ r,o-or.