New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17
Perhaps things will take a better turn

day."
Then Theresa said that she must ieav. h.
visitor. for she had to help to decorate the srs
per table; and she had promised to dress pp ~
tricia's hair because she liked the way Th.r.s'
did 1t better than the maids way.
Don't mind leaving me-" said Cousin I,..
II have been talking to your aunts maid srS,
am going to help her to alter a dress for scsss
body. You know was dressmaker, and A.
very fond Of sewing
"Oh. very well; but Cousin Jane do You r,,..
letting her think that you are my old nurssS . ~
Lady Barfeld hears that you have said Won A.. -
cousin. she will be so disagreeable to me-"
II won't tell any one but Lady Barfeld herx.,s
before j CO." said Cousin Jane quietly AZ
somehow. little as she knew Of her, Theresa s...
that Cousin Jane would be as good as her vo,s
When Theresa went to look for her, later ~.
found her and Lady Barfield' s|maid in the L.
ter's room. stitching busily.
60 away Cousin Jane said taking the Mn.
out Of her mouth. If you interrupt us the ar.
won't be ready for the lady"
Whose dress Is II % Theresa said lingeri,.
for the simmer Of satin and chiffon Is dess =
the eyes Of maidens.
1T is an old dress Of Miss PatrcIa's We A..
making up In hurry for a lady Miss Theresa
answered Barton. But don't think she wmia
like it to be known: and IT will look as goo6 -
new. Your old nurse is a wonderful dressmaks,
Miss"
Barton and Cousin Jane seemed to be On ~.
best OF terms and Theresa with half-enyio.s
glance at the finery, retreated
Evening came, and the guests arrived. Soon
shone on happy faces: and laughter and dancins
steps Knocked at gravity.
Theresa. in her shabby gown. TO look 70,
Cousin Jane. Come" she said We can N
now and peep down into the hall and soma
Of the fine gongs on
Cousin Jane-her passive old face sllehtv
flushed. and her pale eyes twinkling-rose and
took Theresa's hand.
Wait a minute. my dear" she said "Ym
must come with me to your room first, and then
we will go down together"
Yes love to keep Christmas in the old.
fashioned way. with family reunions. and soca.
bic gatherings" said Lady I3arfeld. standing IN
the centre of the nobly proportioned hail. under
brilliant light. stately in black velvet and da.
monds. and shedding affabe smiles upon ths
Duke of Middleshire at her side.
A dance was just over. Frederick BarfeM
and the heavily lowered Lady Mary strolled Ia
from the ballroom: Patricia and Lord Getting.
dean stood together-the noblcmans bearing eY.
prdssive of approval and approbation the
Darcy girls and their partners and many Others
Of the gay throne were gathered I'm little groups
minglng their bright figures picturesquely with
the suits of armor on the walls. and the skins
and antlers which hung between.
Suddenly. with a cry Of oh from all The
girls hush Of amazement silenced the buzz Of
talk and laughter-a hush which startled Lady
Barfield. and made her turn 10 see what IL was
at which all her guests were staring Wde-eyet
Then. for once in her life. her presence Of mind
forsook her. and she wrung her hands. exclaim-
ing, Cousin Jane
1t was indeed Cousin Jane. just she had ap-
peared the night before in her crinoline and
high spoon bonnet the flowers whereof wobb.ei
as she moved: one hand clutching her black bas
while with the other she dragged reluctant tu,
dazzling figure-Theresa- white SATIN covered
with fluffy gauze. and literally blazing with dla-
mOnds There were diamonds in her dark hair
diamonds around her white throat and arms
diamonds about her waist and as she moved
slowly nearer and nearer. II would seem that her
whole dress was sprinkled with diamonds
Yes. Lady Blrfed." said the merciess old
woman in loud. monotonous voice. which
could be heard by every one in the dead silence
which had befallen. Il am your husbands
Cousin Jane | came from South Africa to spend
one more Christmas with my relations. Your
husband always said that Jim and me would he
wecome-though had been poor dressmaker.
and him only a shop assistant And we wer
poor enough for years. my LADY, until one day ]
picked up diamond. and the luck turned I
picked EN- all up myself. and she pointed 10 the
blushing and bedizened Theresa Then ny
brother Jim loaded up to the neck in gold shares
along Of Barney Barnato. and lot ot en-; and
he was cute enough TO sell out before the SLUMP
He's more than a millionaire now, Is poor jim
But somehow. having much moro money than
we knew what to do with. made mo feel home.
sick SO Jim day told me to pack up. and
take my diamonds with M" and come al0nt
home and see if should 30 any the haf'4er g.
give few away Well came; and-to II
long story short found that wasn't welcor
But here's Theresa-ny cousin Toms child an
the whole lot to her And I've sent for the csach
from the George to take me away-as m rot
welcome. my lady: and I'll go back to poor jim
by the next mail.
At that precise moment there came peal at
the front door bell. and the clock on the stair
case struck midnight.
Cousin Jane made an odd curtsey to Lady Bar
field and another To the company. threw her
arms for moment around Theresa. kissed hef,
and thrust piece of paper INTO her hands theh
ordering Thomas to open the outer door. whisked
past him. hoped into the coach which was walt
ing and the next moment was whirled away.
How very extraordinary, That woman your
cousin? 4 dressmaker'" said Lady Mary
Romer to the miserable Frederick
by Jove, how beautiful the girl is exclaimed
Lord Cottingdean. putting up his eyeglass 70
survey Theresa, and turning his back upon
Patricia.
Cousin Jane had vanished. II might all ma"
been a dream but that there. under the cenue
light stood the spellbound. sparkling ana loWr
Theresa. twiddlng in her fingers cheek ia
200 OO.-t(iood Cheer.