Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1893-03-10

lIANANSt pONh vi WV "H HoAShSiN
hiriy years old, the other, scarcely sew
nteen; and as they sat there warming
themselves by the hotel fire, the landlord
touched his wife's shoulder, and whis-
1ercd to her: "Furriners!'
For there was something in the cut OF
heir Curious fur lined draperies, the
shape of their neat Grape hats, the very
way in which they unconsciously carried
themselves, which was as foreign as the
MarseiiIaise itself, althou n there was
70 accent in their voices as they ques-
ioned whether any conveyance from
Barnet Hill had been sent to meet them.
And the landlord was right; for Gene
ieve and Geneva BalIace were the
iaugb ers of American parentage, born
in sunny France. Orphaned and alone,
hey were coming to America to claim
the prot .ction of relative of their
mothers, "Cousin Fred" as they had
been taught to call him.
"Doy you suppose he will be good to
usl' Geneva, the dimpled seventeen
year older, asked, as she sat with her
cheek against Genevicve's shoulder.
II hope so, darling" said the elder
sister. "No one but a brute could be
unkind to you"
For little golden haired, rose Tipped
Geneva was one of those human sun
beams who take every heart by storm,
and in her deep mourning, she looked
even sweeter and more attractive than
her ordinary wont. And dark eyed
Genevieve, thirteen years older than her
sister, had long ago unselfshly put aside
her own personality aud identified her.
self entirely with the household pet and
beauty.
~ wonder if he is cross old crab, "
pondered Geneva, as she drank the tea
brought to her by the landlady, and
basked in the welcome warmth OF the
blazing logs, cor whimsical old bachel-
or, full of caprices. Oh, Genevieve
Don't you dread to meet him"
Genevieve smiled.
"Little one," said she, "don't fret.
Whatever happens, we shall be together,
and"
But Just then, the landlord came bust
ling in.
"The double sleigh from Barnet Hill,
ladies'" he said, rubbing his hands.
"And Mr.. Barnet himself has come"
Close on the landlords words came
Mr.. Barnet, of Barnet Hill, tall, hand.
some man of about thirty, with bright
brown hair clustering over noble fore
head, keen black eyes and features clear
and perfect as those of the Apollo Belvi-
lere.
''Are these my cousnsl' he said,
pleasantly. "You are welcome to Bar
net, Genevieve and Genevra."
Instnctively, little Geneva put her
hand to her disheveled curls. Had sac
expected to see any one but wrinkled
old sexagenarlan, she would have taken
more pains with her toilet. But Gene
we've rose and smilingIY put her hand
hto the extended palm of her cousin.
1t was long, snowy drive to Barnet
Hill, but Genevra declared, joyously,
hat it was worth it all, when they were
rhered into the great, old fashioned
drawing room with its blazing camel
poal fires, its yellow satin curtains and
Ihe moss-soft carpet on which the loot
fall made no sound.
"Do you know" said Cousin Fred,
laughing, "that was expecting to sec
two little school girls in short frocks aud
thick bootsl"
"And do you know" retorted Genev-
ra, "that our minds were fully prepared
to behold a rheumatic old gentleman
with crutchW
And in fifteen minutes they we're on
the footing of old friends.
But they had scarcely lived six months
at Barnet Hill before the inevitable
"little cloud like. n mans hand" arose
on their atmosphere.
"Genevieve," said Mr.. Barnet, rather
gravely, one day. 81 wish you would
warn dear little Gypsy against that
Captain Alaire. He's pleasant, anus
ing fellow, | know; but he's scarcely
the person | should select for any girls
husband"
ayes, Cousin Fred, l will speak tc
her," said Genevieve, signing softly a
she wondered what spell Geneva pos
Ressed to win all hearts to herself, from
stately Cousin Fred to the handsome
dashing young captain of artillery
"But have you reasoned with her on thu
subject2"
"IIalf dozen times" said Barnet
"But she only laughs at me-"
Genevieve was silent. She wondered