Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-07-31
THE LONDON COUSIN.
Part She Played in Sam Clarke's
Engagement.

The ClarkeS have their cousin from
London staying with them, and are go
ing to give a musical party!'' cried
Lillian Durnford, bringing a breath Oh
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 party!" exclaimed Maisie
''Hurrah! ] shall have chance of wear
ing my white dress at last. When is it
to be?"
Not Just yet. She is to stay month,
and the 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. rs the cousin Miss Colville?"
she inquired; and, as Lillian nodded, she
proceeded. Then l suppose the af-
fair is coming off 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 wifer'
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 Clarkes and Durnfords we're great
friends, as was not surprising when you
consider that they had grown up to-
gether from childhood. Old Mr.. Clarke
had been a fourishing banker with
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 small place, with
very little society, but the young peO-
pie at the Bank 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..
Durrford was not at all sorry that Miss
Colville had put in an appearance.
Are you ready, Lilian?"
'Comingr' and after 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 to
notice that before she was introduced
to Miss Colville and was promptly
crushed by the magnificence of the Lon
don cousin.
Constance Colville was splendid
woman-there was no doubt of that fact;
and she entirely eclipsed the fresh,
pretty country girls, as much by her
manner as by her attire. 1t was not so
much her dress as the way she wore it,
which made the three other girls flor
Janet Clarke was as bad as the Durn-
f>rds) look dowdy; while her hair,
which was neither abundant nor natur-
ally curly, was arranged in such truly
wonderful manner that Lillian was pos
itively thunderstruck by it.
NOW. then, let's put it to the vote!'
cried Sam. ''Miss COlville says it is |
too hot for tennis. Are you girls in |
favor of exercise or loafing?"
81 think exercise is much the pleas
anter." said Maisie, promptly. Il am !
ever so much cooler for walking here"
Miss Colville said nothing, but just |
looked at Maisie. and the girl suddenly /
realized that she was hotter than was
quite becoming; but, as she had already |
imbibed lively hatred of the London
cousin, she would not give in and was
soon sending the balls about merrily.
1t must be acknowledged that when
the game was over, all four players
were rather red in the face, but that did
not make it necessary for Miss Colville
to offer Maisie her fan in such very
pointed EaaGer that Sam suggested
that as they We're all equally hot Miss
Colville ought to fan them all.
1t was no use SANS trying to wait on
Maisie as usual. 1t was: Sam, your
cousin wants some strawberries" .sMr
Clarke. would you mind getting me
another cup of tea?" ''Oh! thanks so
muchp' ''My dear boy, will you hand
the bread and butter?" and so on, till
at last the young man gave in, and sat
down at Miss Colville's feet where he
was left undisturbed; but Maisie got
very little tea, and no cream with her
strawberries, and went home in rath-
er melancholy frame of mind.
.'SamI Sam where are you going?"
ssDown to the rectory. l have not
en- the girls for three days was the