The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-02-02
MIR. MARTINS COUSIN.
How a Delayed Train Caused an
Embarrassment.

Il suppose" said Mrs. Martin, mis-
chievously, ''you will be falling in love
with Cousin Clarissa at first sight"
She was handing Percy Carr his tea
As she spoke, and smiling at him APP
provingly.
II would find it easy to fall in love
with any relative of yours, Mrs. Mar
tin
"Ah, listen to his flattery.'' she said,
appealing to the others gathered around
her low, sparkling tea-table that par
ticular winter afternoon at is very
evident he is meditating an entreaty
for another cup of tea But, seriously,
she is not my cousin at all-but my
husbands. / have never seen her"
And Mr.. Martin is away just now,
isn't he? Poking among those dreary
Pittsburgh mines, as usual, dare say"
said Horton Miles.
Yes, poor darling" assented Mrs.
Martin She knew that it was from
those particularly gloomy places that
her wealth came aud that her husband
should make occasional visits of super
vision 10 them was To be properly de-
plored.
is she younG?'' questioned Mrs
Thnrston
She was n charming widow whose
beauty somehow suggested that OF
a very full-blown rose. Her car
rage gown of violet cloth was trimmed
with gold passementerie and fur She
rather dreaded the advent of any new
conner who might attract the languid
attention Of Percy Carr.
Il really know little about her You
see. ] never contemplated the pDSSibili-
" OF her remembering or recognizing
our existence by visit think she is
Young. ! believe she is pretty. / have
the IN preston she is cultured 1 know
sne - wealthy"
That final statement will cover a
multitude Of sins" murmured Ralph
Sommcrs. How long must we pine
for a glimpse Of her face?'
Her note said she would arrive
Wednesday morning. You may all come
up % dinner Wednesday evening, and
be- presented"
Wednesday dawned, steel-sEyed,
gusty, stingingly cold Mrs Martin,
pe"Ding out between her velvet cur
taius. drew back with a little shIver.
II wish" she said To herself, ia ref
erencc 10 Mr.. Martins cousin, that
she had mentioned over what road and
at what hour she would arrive, and I'd
have the carriage meet her"
But the day clustered on to noon, to
afternoon. toward evening. and still
Clarissa Martin did not put in an ap-
pearance. From feeling absolute veX-
alton Mrs. Martin began 10 regard the
situation with amusement.
How disappointed my guests will be
if she fails to materializc! l shall tell
them it is truly version of Hamlet
with Hamlet left out"
At five o'clock the curtains We're
drawn in the beautiful, imposing home
of Philip Martin Within electric
lights shone with white brilliance, and
Crates of FURNISHED metal held beds of
~ bies. In the long amber drawing
room the guests assembled.
SIX tinllled out from a hidden clock.
The chief article of Mrs. Martins social
creed was that dinner should not
be kept waiting. So, after privately
giving directions to the fOOtmau and
housclleeper. she apoIogized for the alb
scnce OF the expected guest, and led
the way to the dining-room.
But hardly was the soup-tureen un-
covered IN the dining-room. when the
tinllIe of a bell in the kitchen an
nounced an arrival The footman
opened the door To tall, stout young
woman with very red checks and snap
ping black eyes. She wore plaid
dress. a plush coat, n hat with two
green parrots confronting each other
antarOniStically, and a voluminous
veil of red Eauze.
is this Mrs. T. Martins house?'
On being assured that it was, she
turned her head and shriiled down the
steps TO the haclman:
''All right Bring up that there
trunk"
That there trunk' having been duly
brought up. the hacllman paid. and the
housekceper summoned. the newcomer
was informed of the message of her
hostess.
If you please. miss, Mrs Martin
saws, as she is having 4 few friends to
dinner, she will he pleased if you dress
and come down, if you do not feel too
fatigued."
Mercy, no. l amt tired I'll he
ready in jiffy."
The trunk was carried TO the lux
urious room prepared for Mr. Martin
cousin, and from its depths the visitor
quickly drew her most fcstal attire.
There" she exclaimed, as she re-
garied her completed toilet in the
mirror, tony dS NNtN tc, JuuBliE Nv
the house, l guess this'll fetch themr'
She was not mistaken. She created
n sensation when the entered the din
ing-room. Mrs Martin and her guests
glanced up as the door opened. 10 be
hold a buXom woman of thirty-twO or
three, clad in n gown Of blue, bright,
SleaEy silk. elaborately trimmed with
silk of the variety known as blonde
Mrs. Martin, in one swift glance,
took. i'm the latest guest from hcr
frizzled hair to her red hands and
clumsy shoes She felt a little faint
she rose 10 meet her. she held out her
slender fingers.
You did not mention the train. r
/ should have sent the carriage" s-ic
apolog;Zed.
.,Oh, lawl that didn't natter de-
clared the other, giving her an eN-
,,Insiye kiss. This amt such bag
town but it was easy To find my way
I inst told a hacllman to drive me to T.
Martins, and here ann"
There she was, indeed, and very