The record-union., 1897-02-07
ar. But come. you must

woman S ann. Theresa offered to carry
ii and the black bag, but Cousin Jane
would not let the bag go from her hands.
Theresa led the way to the kitchen,
which was still warm, for the fire was
not out, and placed the stranger in a
chair while she foraged about, boiled
some water. made cup of hot tea, and
cut bread and butter. The shivering
traveller watched the girl for while in
silence. When she had tha,wed out 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 well
come this-a cold welcomed"
I'm SO sorry-Cousin janet" 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 comfortable as possible and
at last ram down to Lady Barfield's
dressing
hat have you been doing with the
Wretched Old woman, Theresa?" her
aunt DSSs'il Is lldIl All since L
told you to come to me-
She was almost frozen, aunt. l took
heT 10 the kitchen fire and made her
some tea 1t Was cruel to send her to
bed like an iciclei''
Theresa shivered, and tried TO get
nearer the fire; but Frederick Barfield
stood in front of it-sprea6ing himself
out 10 Walrn; and Lady BarIield. Patri-
cia and CWendoIine filled the rest of the
space near it.
SO that's a relation of yours-is it?"
sneerai Frederick.
No more mine than yours" Their
esa retorted. She is your fathers and
my fathers first cousin. You must have
heard of her! She had been a dress
maker
Really, Theresa. you needn't drag up
all this family history" Lady Bardeld
interrupted. The question is. how is
she TO be kept quiet and got rid OFF,
Il don't see why we ought to be
ashamed Of her because she is poor,
said Theresa, stoutly. She has come to
see her relations, and it is Christmas
time
"Oh, nonsensei" Patricia exclaimed.
I'VE can't be taking in frumpy cid wo
men who call themselves relations mere
ly because it is Christmas, It's all senti-
mental bosh about family gatherings
Perhaps you don't feel ashamed OF
her. Theresa" Lady Barfeld said Sc
verely, because you have no proper
pride, and no family honor to keep up.
Your mother was the daughter of a
Iar. oh
veins flows the blood of the Kilcomans."
Lady FAIRFIELD was the daughter of a
ruined Irish Earl.
Hang the Kilcomans." Frederick
broke in, kicking his heels against the
fender. What we want to know is, how
is Theresa going to keep the old wo-
mans mouth shut, and get her away
before she has chance of being seen
again? Suppose Lady Mary Romer
heard that she was my fathers cousin,
and had been a dressmaker-did you
say?"
Patricia and Gwendolne laughed.
Poor Fred... said Gwendoiine, where
would your chance of Lady Mary and
her thousands be then?"
She must be got away" Patricia
stock of the county is she was known to
be our cousin. I would not have those
Darcy girls know for the worldr'
Lady Barfield sighed, and glanced
from one to another with a perplexed
expression Dear me-" she said This
is the worst Of marrying a plebian. One
never knows when some discreditable
person will turn up l was
showing Lord Cottingdean the family
tree only yesterday! What are
you going to do with the woman, Their
esa?"
Il have nothing more to do with her
than you" the girl answered. But it
would be cruel to turn her out on Christ
mas Day, And l don't think she will
annoy you. The house is large enough.
I will keep her in the housekeeper's 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
a hurry-and they all think she is your
old nurse" said Lady Barfield, after a
moments reflection. But you are re-
sponsb,e for her, Theresa! | shall never
forgive you if you let her speak to one
of our guests, and now go to bed all of
you, This shock has quite upset me-
and 1 am tired to DEATH"
Theresa was tired, too. and when she
crept into the narrow bed ard lay down
by the side of her disreputable relative.
fell asleep in five minutes.
But Cousin Jane was wide awake for
many an hour. Homecoming for
Clo, hoA ha
success she anticipated.
In the morning Theresa made the
best she could of it to Cousin Jane: not
so much to spare Lady Barfeld as not
to hurt the old woman's feelings. For
the gentle. passive manner, and kind
weary eyes had touched the girls heart
and she did her utmost to make amends
for the neglect of the rest of the family
You will not mind having your
meals with me only, / hope, Cousin
Jane?" she said, as they sat down to
breakfast in the housekeeper's room.
There are such a lot of people in the
dining-room You and l are poor re-
lations, you know, and must not get
in the way of the fine folk
DO you mind very much being poor,
nv dear?" said Cousin Jane Il didn't
like it when l was young
Il mind very much, Theresa said,
because / could make some one else
happy, too, if / We're not poor. If l
were rich Cousin Jane, you should be
made quite comfortable. too. What
would you like best in the world if YOU
were rich? Let us make up some love
ly Christmas presents for ourselves"
Theresa and Cousin Jane walked
across the park together to church. and
sat in the back seats. None of the
hall party saw them, and Theresa was
not sorry to keep at the back of the