River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-08-07
THE LONDON COUSIN.
Part Size Played In Sam CIarke's
Engagement

Engagement
The Clarses have their cousin from
London staying with them. and are go
ing TO give a musical party" cried
Lillian Durnford, bringing a breath of
hot air from the street into the cool
drawing-rOom one baking July day.
Mrs DurnfOrd and Maisie were both
excited at the news.
"A real partly" exclaimed Maisie-
''Hurrah. shall have a chance of wear
ing my white dress at last When is it
TO hep"
''NOt lust yet. She is to stay month,
and tho party is to be at the end of her
visit We are to practice some glees,"
and Lillian collapsed into an armchair,
and proceeded TO fan herself with the
nearest newspaper.
At last Mrs. Durnford's voice was
heard. IS the cousin Miss COlville?"
she inquired; and. as Lillian nodded, she
proceeded Then | suppose the af-
fair IS coming of at last
What AFFAIR."" cried both girls.
Mrs. COlville has always meant her
daughter for Sam Clarke" said their
mother; but don't know whether he
has been consulted"
There was a rather ominOus silence;
then Lillian said: Fancy sam married.
can't imagine him with wife,
Maisie said nothing, but went on
steadily with her work; and when her
mother ventured to look at her she was
as calm as usual. and Mrs. DurnfOrd
congratulated herself on having sue
cessfully administered a necessary hint
The CIarkes and DurnfOrds were great
friends, as was not surprising when you
consider that they had grown up to-
gether from childhood Old Mr.. Clarke
had been a fiourishing banker with a
young wife and family when Mr.. Durn-
ford brought his bride TO WOodham rec
tory, and the two youngest Clarkes
were the same ages as the rectOr's daUgh-
tiers WOodham was a small place, with
very little society, but the young peO-
pie at the BAN House and rectOry man
aged to enjoy themselves very fairly.
Sam Clarke was the eldest son, and at
his fathers death had taken his place at
the bank. and of late had shown him
self so attentive TO Maisie that Mr.
DurEfOrd was not az all sorry that Miss
Colville had put in an appearance.
Are you ready, Lilian?"
''COming!7 and after a minutes in
terval Lillian appeared in her blue fan
mel dress, with racquet in her hand,
and the two sisters started for the Bank
House
Mrs. Clarke was sitting on the lawn
with the young people around her, and
sam looked cross. Maisie had time 70
notice that before she was introduced
20 Miss COlville and was promptly
crushed by the magnificence of the Lon
don cousin
Constance Colville was a splendid
wOman-there was nOdoubt Of that fact;
and she entirely eclipsed the fresh,
pretty country girls, as much by her
manner as by her attire IL was not so
much her dress as the way she wore il,
which made the three other girls flor
Janet Clarke was as bad as the Durn-
fOrisl look dOwdy; while her hair,
which was neither abundant nor natur-
ally curly, was arranged in such a truly
wonderful manner that Lillian was pos
itiyely thundeTstruck by it
Now. then, let's put it to the voter'
cried Sam. Miss COlville says il is
too hot for tennis. Are you girls in
favor of exercise or lOafng?'
Il think exercise is much the pleas
anter,7 said Maisie, promptly Il sm
ever so much cooler for walking here"
Miss COlville said nothing, but just
looked al Mlisie, and the girl suddenly
realized that she was hotter than was
quite becoming; but, a. she had already
imbibed lively hatred Of the London
cousin. she would not give in and was
soon sending the balls about merrily.
Ii must be acknowledged that, when
the game was over. all four players
were rather red in the face. but that did
not make il necessary for Miss Colville
20 offer Maisie her fan in such a very
pOintet manner that sam suggested
that as they were all equally hot Miss
Colyille ought 70 fan them all
II was no use SANS trying to wait on
Maisie as usual II was: sam, your
cousin wants some strawberries Mr.
Clarke, would you mind getting ne
another cup Of tea?' ''oh, thanks 50
muchr' My dear hoy. will YOU hand
the bread and butter?' and SO on, till
at last the young man gave in. and sat
down al Miss COlville'S feet. where he
was left undisturbed; but Maisie got
very little tea. and no cream with heI
strawberries, and went home in rath'
.er melancholy frame OF mind.
SAN. sam. where are you gOing?'
down 70 the rectory. have not
seen the girls for three days" was the
prompt answer ''YOd had better come,
TOO, and settle about those glees."
Janet looked irresOlute. Il should
like 20" she said after a minutes hest
tatfon. Il wonder II mother wants me
20 drive with COnstance?7
Bother Constance was Sans eX-
tremeIy rude remark. You had much
better come with me have hardly
seen you since that furbelOwed young
woman arrived"
MY ceag boy. you must not be 81
rude, exclaimed his sister; Constance
Is your cousin and your guess
4 beg her pardon" said sam. rue.
fully. - would not abuse her il she
didn't make my very life burden TO me.
Now, Janet. be honest! Don't you wish
she we're going next week.
Janet laughed. Il will go so far as q
acknowledge that should not break
my heart if important duties called her
away said she. But she is really
very amusing. and il she is a little
spoiled. you must remember she Is i'm
mensely admired"
80 she says marked sam In
eredulOusly. The fellows she knows
must be queer set. should think
know / Ind nsr awfully stupid TO speak
tO-she hasn't got two ideas. and eN'
poets one % be perpetually waiting Oh
her" and he walked on in silence till
THAR reached the FeCtOry. The young