Smyrna times., 1892-08-03
HER COUSINS IDEAL.
BY GEORGE s. ARNOLD.

Come, wake up, pa dear Here's {
letter from Cousin Will Evans, anG
you could never guess what it says
He is coming up next Sunday-coming
here--and is going to bring his affianced
with him-his intended bride, mind
you But here, read the letter for
yourself"
Old Farmer Morton, doing in a
comfortable chair by the open window,
sat up with a start at these words and
stared blsnkly at the missive his
daughter had thrust into his hand.
Whats this ?" he mumbled sleepily,
looking up at her in helpless sort of
way. From Will, did you say ?
Then read it, my dear, will yer?
can't make out that 'ere hifalutin' city
writing without my specs. Comm up
with his intended ?"
Ella took the letter, and with little
PREDATORY cough, read:
DEAR COUSIN ELLA-Ifnothing hap
pens l shall be up next Sunday, accom-
panied by my affianced, Miss Lily
Weaver-that young lady l introduced
you to last summer, you knOW-the
one with the beautiful golden hair.
Don't you congratulate me on my good
fortune? Expect US at l. l shall look
for you at the station. You loving
cousin, WILL EVANS.
There !" said Ella, as she folded
the letter and slowed it away in the
pocket. What do you think of that
news-eh, pa?"
Mr.. Morton stared hard at his clumsy
boots for few seconds, and curious
look came into his sun-browned face.
"Wall," he said at last, hesitatingly,
Il am surprised, of course, but more
disappointed. Not that didn't think
the chap I'D marry some time, but that
she'd be the one. l was lookin' an
other way entirely"
"YOu fear he is throwing himself
away, then, do yOu?" his daughter
faltered, as she busted herself in prun-
ing some geraniums standing on the
window sill, that her father might not
notice the change in her face.
Il think he might have done better.
an not looked very fur, either, was
the reply. willis as whole-souled
chap as ever trod shoe leather, am the
gal that gets him Oughter thank her
stars, for he is man of thousand.
Why didn't you encourage him
Ellie ?"
A painful flush suffused the girls
fair face; she bit her lip nervously.
He didn't love me, papa" she an.
swered, in a low tone. HE was
always very kind, to be sure, but his
tastes ran in quite another direction.
He preferred fair people-blondes, with
golden hair and blue eyes"
The farmer struck his tongue against
the roof of his mouth with a sharp
click expressive of mild despair.
Good heavens ~ he groaned. What
are the young fellers to-day coming to.
anyhow? Golden hair Blue eyes !
Rubbish Why, when 1 was a. courtin'
your mother l couldn't a. told the color
of her eyes to save my life. All /
knew was that she was very sensible
gal and would make me a good wife,
an on that account l married her.
But times is changed, an the people
with 'em, / s'pOse. HeighO Isn't it
time to be thinking about the tea, nv
dear ?"
Thus reminded Ella aroused herself
from the brown study into which
Willis letter had thrown her, and busted
herself 10 set the ta+le and make the
tea; but she went about like one in a
dream-strangely thoughtful and silent
and sad. Her father, dull as he might
be in some respects was quick to notice
any change in his daughter, and he
saw one now, and shrewdly suspected
the cause ; but he said nothing.
On an easel on the bureau was the
photograph of a dark, handsome young
man of %, with a frank, open face, a
broad brow-''the harbor of fair
thOught"-and black, laughing eyes.
Putting down the lamp the girl went
to this picture and studied the fea.
lures intently, then turned away with
a sigh.
HE will never know now," she said
in dull lifeless tone; mo one shall
ever know. But oh, how love him
And the blessing of his love is denied
me. 1t was not to be. Now he has
met his ideal and will be happy in his
love for her-far happier than l could
ever have made him. Heaven bless
you Will I"