Daily Republican., 1889-04-02
COUSIN HARRY.


Cousin Harry,was fathers ward, who
had come to him when only two years
old, iong before there were any other
children In the household, and was held
there with all the affection due to o son
for many year, until he longed TO be of |
out Into the world 10 try his fortune.
At sixteen he went away; and after
sixteen more years be was coming back
again from aome wonderful region that |
was sort OF fairyland TO ne, his cousins |
Of home, being the only one that re-
membered him.
He was coming 10 find many changes
in his old home, and the greatest Of all |
IN the In the absence of Your mother"
the sweet, gentle, yet strong, presiding |
genius OF the household.
On the evening OF the day OF Harry's |
expected arrival, l sat by the window
pleasantly entraneed, when suddenly
pair OF strong arms were thrown around
me, two or three res0unding kisses were
given upon my check, q hearty voice
called me dear little Alice," and a
brown face, with deep, dark eyes, brim-
ming with feeling, bent over me In close
proximity to my own.
lose In. nndignifled haste and extreme
confusion. Angry words rose TO my lips,
inappropriate, doubtless, for / had no
use TO recall my faculties from their
wanderings.
"Don't you know me, Alice7 Is this
the welcome little Alice gives to Cousin
Harryi Was It Tor this FASTENED hither
the instant tho train arrived mt the sta
ton = TO be scoldei by baby Alice?' "
Ills look was half rueful, half merry,
and was not appeAsed.
81 am glad TO see you, Cousin Harry"
said, with more GOODNESS in my tone
than words, rs gave him my hand.
He looked at me Tor moment, and
then he would have renewed the caress
which had been his fret greeting. But
drew haughtily aside:
''You forget, Mr.. Lester, that am
baby Alice no longer. Sixteen years
have not left me unchanged any more
than yourself"
~ perceive that they have not" he an
swered, sadly, lifting his hat, and bowling
as he offered his arm to conduct me TO
the house. "fhey have but changed me
outwardly," he added, slowly, "and have
left my heart untouched. Baby Alice
loved me-"
was still too vexed TO reply kindly
and the approach OF my father saved me
from the necessity.
: From thie slight canse OF variance fow-
, | ed years OF unhapplless. loved Harry
: dearly, but no opportunity OF Cancellation
or explanation offered. He came and
went, and went aud came.
Years passed. My younger sister, Beu'
, lab, married and went abroad. Ny
I fathers step grew feeble with age. AND
still uarry's heart and mine were KEEP
/, coldly apart, autil 9 bereavement cam,
\ that was owe whelning and withUu
. compensation ..,. .s... ...,.....
Our father was found sitting besiie hi
/ library .tablc enc morning, quite dead. IL
the silent watches OF the night his spiri
: had passed away, leaving upon his pal,
features the impress Of u smile unearthl,
. In Its beauty.
7 But for Harry know not how 1 couli
q have endured tue heavy burden OF care
and eorrows that this melancholy even
cast upon me.
, His presence seemed to bring order an,
= peace to my confused and struggling
thoughts He controlled the household
revolutionized by this terrible bcreave
ment, and ordered and directed all thing
a as II he had be II a son indeed, as he was
Is 10 love OF him who had gone from US ioI
,. ever.
lnexpressibly cOnsolug and soothin
, above all TO me was this precious car,
"a aud whom all was over, tie new drea
came me that was to lose this also, an
be lett quite slene with my heavy charR
II the four wild but generous and though
J, less boys, aud Heena, our Maynard pet
who needed Il stronger hand than mind
guide I EN- Alright upon the path OF III,
nj IL was the evening OF the day that 10
A. lowed my iather's iuucral. We sat alol
is for hours. Harry was TO leave us II
next morning.
n had nerVed myself TO calmness, an
i. tried NOT yaiLly, ior long, 10 speak /
quiet and measured tones. But at length
. as the hour OF parting approached, and
! felt the strong arm that had upheld IN
through the sorrow OF the past days RI
cedlng from me, could no longer ieieI
n All the pass ionate griefthat had SO lon
% rcpresfed won q burst forth.
IL must have Its moan, It's one unrt
: strained outbreak, even If | died mex
!. moment, or my heart were frozen eve
ait r.
!, Harry had risen and taken his cham
= Der candlestick from the table, and tn
4 moment knew he would hold my ham
IN his and speak the farewell that woul
\ leave me desolate. 1 buried my face upo
The arm Of the sofa, and great cry burs
: from my lips.
R / knew that Harry was standing nea
70 ult, Hub uC WAS anu bcAlCfluk Ina
he deepised my weakness, l siroye Il
hush my cries and dry my tears. Blu
NJ they would not be controlled. SUDDEN,
felt the hand that hung by my aid
/, clasped in his. did not withdraw 1t
T. and my head was lifted and laid upoi
. my cousins shoulder. Sull he did no
speak, but dried my tears with his pocket
N. handkerchief, until my means and sob
'g grew fainter.
"Allce," he said, at last, "Al'ce, cal
, you listen to met l Will do all l may
I poor child, to tighten your burdens. II
thought you did not quite dislike me,
; would ask you TO let me share them witt
W you. have loved you long, in spite @
rs your aversion. never loved you s
: much as now in your sorrow and desola
n ton. Do you think you could becom
2. my wife, and let me care for you an
these childreni"
A l do not know what was my answer
=. but he was satisfied, and as soon as gu
year Of mourning expired, l becam
. Cousin Harry's wife.
10 have been very happy, and so al
- sure has he, If the tendercst devotio
could make him so. And he, so wise an
IT strong, and get so fresh and Renial, ha
y, been an inestimable blessing to the dea
children who are our joint charge.
N Only yesterday / found, In privat
Il. drawer, the stained handkerchief this
t was once stepped In my tears, preserve
- by my dear husband as u amento OF tbs
y. hour when my grief opened to him u
~ long guarded portals of the heart
sought.
)R - ,