Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-06-02

VA III ulCtC VI uu uuul, IuuCn
less cousin.
"But, papa" SAID, at last, ''I never
knew Ind n cousin"
"II'mi Mol Your mother was an
only child, but had brother. Poor
Tom! He and | had n quarrel, long be-
fore we were either of us married; no
matter about that nnw. Tom went OF
to the West, but he didn't find any of
the wonderful good luck there that some
men do. The fact is, Bcss, Tom was
always lazy Lazy folks don't get along
out West! But he is dead, my dear,
been dead these ten years, aud his wife
dice about week ago, and left letter
for me, asking mo to bcfriend their only
child. She needn't come hero, you see,
if you don't want her."
"Oh, but do want herl" cried ,
"lIavc not been longing for II sister all
my lifc9 do want her, papa! Please
send for her."
Every well, my dear. will write Mt
once"
Then I rushed off to find Martha, who
is our head servant, and, sometimes
suspect, our real housekceper, though
she lets me have all the honors Martha.
who had lived with my grandmother,
had known MIR. Tom, but had thought
ho died long ago. She was very will
ing, however, to Eelp me in getting one
OF the prettiest rooms ready for "lIiss
Elizabeth" and promised dainties for
the feast of welcome.
AT the eleventh hour papa resolved to
go himself and bring the orphan girl to
her new home, and Martha and L had
full scope for our hospitablc plans. 1t
was not that had anything to do, Tor
with our small family Martha declared
she had hard work to keep the servants
busy, in spite of the size of the house,
but l liked to fuss about and select
pretty ornaments and trimmings for nv
Cousins room.
Perhaps l threw myself into these
preparations with more energy becausc,l
had never quite recovered from the
heartachc it gave mo to part with Her
bert Wilson. Two years before papa
had sent him off to seek his fortune, and
lived meantime on the hope of his
finding it. 1t was romantic little love
story, and being so much alone 1 had
suffered moro than papa knew, 30 l was
! glad to think of having companion of
my own age.
She came with papa, and rushed into
my arms, apparently as pleased as l was.
l had pulled down my facc to express
my sympathy with her recent loss, but il
was wasted sentiment. She did not ap-
pear to have any feeling about it, and
longer acquaintance convinced me that
she had no depth of feeling about any
thing.
But she was charming, little, fairy
like blonde, with fluffy yellow hair, soft
blue eyes, and complexion like straw
berries and cream. felt gigantic wher
l saw our reflections in long mirror
for l was tall. decidedly brunette, anc
while was just six months the younger
looked five years older than the childlik,
little butterfly.
1t was pretty to see how she enjoyed
the luxnries about her, the dainty food
the cczy arm chairs, and, above all, tn,
idleness. Poor little mite! She hat
faced poverty ever since she was born
and she enjoyed comfort as much as /.
kitten.
II mean to marry a rich man." she
told me, "or not marry at all. Lots and
lots of money! That is my idea OF per-
feet bliss. And, by the way, Bess, why
don't you marry Mr.. Gordon2"
l laughed heartily. Ever since l
could remember had been asked why |
didn't marry Mr.. Gordon. He had
wooed me with dolls and sugar plums
when was mere baby, and his dcvo.
tons were apparent to the most careless.
Even Bert, my own Bert, had occasional
spasms of jealousy, and in our last con-
versation had said, imploringly:
'You'll give me fair chance, Bessie
You won't marry Gordon2"
And solemnly promised never to
marry Charles Gordon.
"Stop laughingl" Lizzie said. We
had'tound she had always been called
Lizzie, 50 there was no confusion from
our both having our grandmother s
name. "Stop laughing, and tell INC
why you don't marry Mr.. Gordon. They
say he is awfully rich."
"And they can say he is awfully silly
and awfully dreadful" cried. "He is
half fool, Lizzie, and he is old enough
to be my father. Marry Mr.. Gordon, in,
deed!"
"Tcll me-" she. said, nesting down
in my arms, sis there not what the nov.
CTS call 'auotherf"
"Yes, my dear, there is"
''Where is he2"
81 don't KNOW" I said, ruefully
'he was sent away to seek his fortune.
lie is poor man, and father thought |
was too young to know my own mind
But he has sent me a Christmas card and
an Easter egg every time the days come
round, so that I know he is alive, and
does not forget me-"
How joliyl' said Lizzie. "And is
that his ringl"
"Yes; we each had one made to order.