New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17

tact every one knew who had seen her steer her
husband-a rich brewer. without the shadow OF
an ancestor behind him-into the very thick OF
the best society and In this contingency her
presence Of mind did not fail. With smile OF In
effabe sweetness she turned to Theresa. and
said In clear. high-pitched voice. which reached
the giggling girls on the staircase:
"Oh. your old nurse. What strange time to
arrive! We were all quite startled. Well we
must see where to bestow the good woman"
Patricia, Frederick and the rest OF the family
breathed again. and felt that their mother had
gripped the situation Patricia to tell the
girls that the funny old woman was Theresa 8
nurse. who had come to pay her a visit and had
been delayed by the snow and sent on from the
GEORGE In coach and four-poor old thing!
She was quite dazed by the adventure.
Inc young men returned to the smokerOom to
hnish their cigars and Thomas retreated 10
INFORM all and sundry that the row only
about queer, crazy-looking woman who called
herself Miss Theresa's nurse and had come on
a visit. So quickly does a myth, once started,
Theresa meanwhile seeing that 1t was use
less to contradict her aunt. waited quietly for
the next move
There Is no room for your nurse Theresa
AS you know, every place IS occupied. You
must take your visitor to your own ROOM and
then come TO me!'
Theresa and the old woman stood facing one
another.
Cousin Jane" the girl said kindly. taking
her hand: come with me. and / will try to
make you comfortable"
What does it mean?' the unwelcOme visitor
said. Don't they want me? And who are
yOu?'
Il am Theresa Barneld-your cousin Toms
daughter. But come. you must be haf-frozen"'
A thick shawl over the old woman's arm.
Theresa offered to carry IL and the black bag:
but Cousin Jare would not let the bag go from
her hands Theresa led the way 70 the kitchen,
which was still warm. for the fire was not out.
foraged about. boiled some water made cup
of hot tea. and cut bread and butter. The
shivering traveller watched the girl for awhile
in silence When she had thawed out a lit
tie, her tired eyes began to twinkle.
"My Cousin William said that me and my
brother would always be welcome in his house. "
she muttered. "A cold welcome ths-a cold
welcome
I'm so sorry-Cousin jane Theresa said.
you see. the house Is full Of guests
Never mind my dear. You are very kind.
and am quite warm now. and will go to bed.
please"
Theresa took her upstairs to the cold, shabby
room which was hers; made things as COM
Portable as possible. and at last ran down to
Lady Barheld's dressing-room.
A family concave was assembled round the
fire
What have you been doing with the wretched
old woman Theresa" her aunt began. 1T is
half an hour since told you to come to me-.
"She was almost frozen. Aunt took her to
yn ss r r,ue f. send her to bed ike an iccIe
Theresa shvered. and tried To get nearer
the fire; but Frederick Barfeld stood in front
of it-spreadng himself out to warm; and Lady
Barfeld Patricia and Gwendolne filed the
rest OF the space near IT.
so that's a relation Of yours-is it," sneered
Frederick.
mo more mine than yours Theresa re-
torted. she is your fathers and my fathers
first cousin. You must have heard Of her. She
had been dressmaker"-
Really. Theresa you needn't drag up all
this family history" Lady Barfeld interrupted.
THE question is. how is she TO be kept quiet.
and got rid OFF,
Il don't why We ought to he ashamed Of
her because she is poor" said Theresa, stoutly.
she has come home to see her relations, and
II is Christmas time.
"Oh. nonsense" Patricia exclaimed. We
can't be taking in frumpy old women who call
themselves relations. merely because 1t is Christ
mas. It's all sentimental bosh about family
gatherings"
"Perhaps YOU don't feel ashamed of her.
Theresa Lady Barfied said severely. because
you have no proper pride. and no family honor
to keep up. Your mother was the daughter OF
shopkeeper remember rene ns r . IN my en''d'en
Lady Barield the daughter of ruined
Irish earl.
Hang the Kicomans.' Frederick broke in,
kicking his heels against the fender. Nv nat we
want to know is. how is Theresa going to keep
the old woman's mouth shut. and get her away
before she has a chance of being seen again
Suppose Lady Mary Romer heard that she was
did you say"
Patricia and Gwendoline laughed Poor
chance of Lady Mary and her thousands be
she must be got away" Patricia said We
should be the laughing stock OF the county n
she was known to be our cousin. | would not
have those Darcy girls know for the world.
Lady Barfield sighed. and glanced from one
to another with perpeXed expression. Dear
me.' she said. This is the worst of marrying
a plebeian, One never knows when some dis
creditable person will turn up! was
showing Lord Cottingdean the family tree Only
with the woman. Theresa"
II have nothing more to do with her than
YOU" the girl answered. But 1t would be cruei
10 turn her out on Christmas Day, And don
think she will annoy you. The house is large
enough. | will keep her in the housekeepers
room out Of your way, and she can go the next
day"
.Well-perhaps that will be best. 1t would
look bad to send her off in such hurry-and
they all think she is your old nurse. SAID Lazy
Barfied after moments reiiection 5ut you
are responsible for her. Theresa shall never
forgive you If you let her speak 10 one or our
guests. And now go to bed all of you rms
shock has quite upset me, and am Urea 70
death"
Theresa was tired. too; and when she crept
into the narrow bed. and lay down by the side
Of her disreputable relative, fell asleep III I'VE
minutes.
But Cousin Jane was wide awake for many an
hour. Home coming for Christmas had not
proved quite the success she anticipated
In the morning Theresa made the best she
could
Lady Barfied as not to hurt the old woman
feelings For the gentle. passive manner, and
kind weary eyes had touched the girls heart
a nd she did her utmost to make amends 1or
tho neglect Of the rest of the family.
You will not mind having your meals with
me only l hope Cousin jane" she said. as they
sat down to breakfast in the housekeepers
room. There are such a lot Of people In the
dining ROOM You and are poor relations, you
know. and must not get in the way OF the me
folk - .,,,
DEAR" said Cousin Jane. Il didn't like II when
was young
81 mind very much" Theresa said. because
7 could make one else happy, 100 II
uoro NOT moor n were rich. Cousin Jane,
YOU should be made quite comfortable too.
What would you like best in the world II you
were rich? Let us make up some lovely CHRIST
mas presents for ourseves"
Theresa. and Cousin Jane walked across the
park together to church. and sat in the back
seats None Of the nall party saw them, ana