Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-25
COUSIN WILLS COUSINS.

"Read the letter again, mamma" said |
Marcia languidly.
sYes, read it again, and read 1t slow, as the
Teller says" echoed sweet voice, and Robin
threw herself down on the rug, resting
her arm on the low window-sill, and rum
ming her long slender finger through her
short red-brown curls.
Don't use slang, Bob; l think that is
1t might preserve you from
the attacks of an ordinary sensible man,
but, judging from the letter of our valua-
BILE Cousin Will. he is no ordinary NOR
tai, said Jess from her perch on the piano
stool.
"Read on, mamma" said Marcia.
"Well," said Mrs. Mordaunt, you may
say what you please, but think it is
good, sensible letter myself. l haven't
seen Will since he was little boy, but
am sure he must be a fine man. He
writes good hand. Listen to his letter
now"
My Dear Cousin: Ny lawyer has acquainted
me with some facts concerning my uHcle's re-
cent death, and particularly the tenor of his
will. AS far as can gather the main facts in
the case are these: zach one of the heirs is to
receive $4,000 cash; the remaining $4,000 is
left to one of my cousins and myself conjoint-
ly, provided this aforesaid cousin and myself
agree to marry each other. In other words, if
either Of my cousins consents to favor me with
her heart and hand, she is to share with me the
bulk of my uncle's fortune.
OF course I remember my cousins as they
were when knew them in our mud pie days,
but they have, doubtless, forgotten me alto
gether. meeting now between us under the
existing circumstances cannot of course, be
entirely tree from restraint, but, if you will
permit me to see you and your daughters at an
early date shall esteem 1t great favor.
1t is not fattering to ones dignity to be moved
about on the board of life by human hands,
and. doubtless, my cousins rebel at any effort
for them. My mother writes me that you will
probably spend the summer at Mounteagle; If
this be SO, shall be glad of your permission to
join you there. However, should this arrange
ment be not agreeable to you, please make any
plans your kindness may suggest. Very truly,
WILL BLAIR.
"What do you think now, girls? ?" asked
Mrs. Mordaunt, when she had finished
reading the letter.
81 feel it over me like covering"
said Robin, shaking hershort locks and
assuming the most tragic air possible to
her recumbent position, "that it is none
other than myself, Mistress Robin Nor
daunt, whom the high and mighty Cousin
Will will deign to choose as the sharer of
tie paltry 100000"
"Never you fear, you silly child" said
Marcia. "He is evidently too much of
gentleman to be pleased with your un-
couthness. Thank heaven, was born the
Oldest and was not permitted to grow up
in ignorance"
"The fates foreordalned that you should
be reared in every way suitable to young
woman who was to become the wife of his
Majesty, the H. and NJ" returned Robin.
SIS it not SO, Marcia?"
"You incorrigible," replied Marcia,
pleasantly.
Il don't see why you two should be
worrying yourselves unnecessarily" said
Jess. 81 am quite certain Cousin viii
will want to marry me; they always do
want to marry me; / never could see why,
either" After which exceedingly modest
remark Miss jess turned on her stool and
began to play the widest of wild fantasies.
Two weeks later found them all, mother
and daughters, ensconced at Monteagle in
a pretty, cheerful little cottage on the hill.
"The time draweth nigh for the advent
of the high and mighty" said Robin, COM
ing in from sketching expedition and
depositing her traps in the most conyen-
lent corner. Remember, mother dear, to
put US through our PAGES in proper form
Don't get our accomplishments mixed
under any circumstances. jess is musical
and makes excellent pates and crullers.
Marcia is beautiful and embroiders. And
What can | do besides daub? Oh. yes.
l can toast bread, and brew tea, and-and
4 don't know what all. Anyhow, there
is my little water-color sketch of the Sc
wanna mill to testify to my artistic procliv-
tiles. Let no base and perfidious one dare
to expose to view my morbid-lookIng cot
tage with this bilious cottage garden in
the foreground"
"lf you stop your TRADE long enough,
Robin" said Marcia, 'I'll inform you that
Cousin Will is coming, and will take tea
with us this evening"
''This evening" exclaimed Robin. "And
here am |, footsore and weary, besmeared
with paint and besprinkled with dust
Well, shan't come down to tea," she con-
tinued in an aside to Marcia. 'tDon't let
mother know now, though but afterwards,
who is to save me from the wrath that is
to come? Well, after all, perhaps it is
better that he should take us in broken
doses, and, in faith, after you and Jess he
will have need of bon bouche so | shall
wait. Au revoir, ma seur." So saving.
she disappeared up the stairway.
An hour later, as she lay ENJOYING to the
fullest sweet rest after her days tramp.
she heard a soft football on the stair and in
moment jess sank down on the floor be-
side the bed
What is it, jess, old girl?' said Robin
gently, putting one arm about her SISTERS
head and looking into her fearful eyes.
SO, Rob-" said jess, after moment, 81
am so miserable! You know cousin Will
Ii coming tonight. What if he should
fall in love with me? / don't say this be-
cause | am conceited, but because men are
so foolish one never knows what they will
do. If he should like me best mother
will want me to marry him, and what will
become of jim? | shall be perfectly hor-
rid all the time cousin Will is here 0, if
he would only fall in love with you. You
don't know how pice it is to be loved"
ut must be enhancing" said Robin.
playfully tracing the tears as they coursed
down her sisters cheek.
There was a sound Of footsteps in the
hall.
Mamma is sending for us, said jess, in
despair.
'Put on bold 'front.'" said Robin, "and
if the exigencies of the case demand that
we should go where duty calls, why, trust
to me to take captive the assaulting
knight. have every reason to believe
that no man ever loved me; at all events,
if he did, he let concealment like worm
in the bud,' ETC., but / have read many
novels, and l have most beautiful theory
of making my hero love me- In order to
preserve you from the clutches of the III.
and M. Pll make hin love me, though he
be perfect ogre. Thus shall / sacrifice
myself on the altar of sisterly affection"
20, girls" cried Marcia, entering in hot
haste. "Still we may breathe freely; a
telegram announces that cousin Will has
met with an accident up the Lookout
mOunf q and hoe bean 1ato,,oJ IL