Middletown transcript., 1903-08-01
COUSIN PAUL

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obey instead of command.
For Paul laughed at Hilda's
sulky moods. When she flewinto
her passionate fits he elevated his
eyebrows in calm surprise and
walked away, leaving her to re-
cover her temper in solitude.
And as he could do much better
without her than she could with
out him, by degrees she learned
the lessons of self-control and
obedience and grew more gentle
Occasionally she went to the
farm and had tea with Paul and
his mother, but although Mrs.
Sullivan was always studiously
polite, the child was quick to dis
cover that her presence there was
unwelcome. Paui's mother did
not like her, SO she returned the
dislike with interest, and during
her rare visits to Hazel Farm saw
as little of her hostess as possible.
Hilda shed many bitter tears
when the time arrived for her to
return to the Hall, and Paul
missed his little companion more
than he would have cared to own.
He saw her occasionally during
the following year. She had
learned--not from Paul or his
mother, for both we're studiously
silentonthe subject -therelation-
ship Of her friend to herself, and
although just at first her pride
was wounded by the knowledge
of this, she soon learned to rejoice
in it and often annoyed her father
by alluding before strangers to
her cousin Paul" and his mother.
Although Sir John did not act
ually forbid Hilda's visits to the
farm, he was unfeignedly glad
when Panl went TO complete his
education at an agricultural col
lege.
I suppose my cousin Paul and
his mother still live at the Hazel
Farm, mother?
Hilda was standing at the win
dow of her mothers boudoir.
Here Lady Sullivan, who was an
invalid-more in fancy than real
ity-spent most Of her time, medi-
tating over her ailments and in
venting fresh ones with which to
claim thesympathy ofherfriends.
Nine years had passed since
Hilda first met Paul, and she was
now a tall graceful girl Of nine
teen. Her early womanhood
amply fulfilled the promise of
beauty which her childhood had
given. She was undeniably
beautiful, and had created quite
a sensation during her first sea-
son in town. She had just re-
turned to Durnford Hall from
London and found the quietness
and dulness of the country almost
lnbearable after her gaities and
dissipation. There was nothing
20 nothing to see.
Occasionally dull garden fete
or a duller dinner party enlivened
;he monotony; but these were
,ew and far between, and Hilda
leeply regretted that her moth
,r's delicate health had obliged
hem to leave London before the
season was over. Yet to most |
people lifea atDurnford Hall would |
lave seemed pleasant enough.
The Hall was charming old |
of gray stone and stood
n the midst of green lawns and
pleasant gardens, with the wide
'reezy downs in the background.
1ilda used to grumble at its want
# modern conveniences, and de-
lare that the oak-panelled rooms
we're cold and draughty, but she
vas secretly very proud of her
lome.
1t looked a pleasant residence
hat July morning, for the roses
we're in full bloom; the sun was
Inning; and a fresh wind was
ustling joyously amongst the
Of the copper -beeches,
where a thrush and blackbird
we're singing a duet. But Hilda's
'retty face looked sorely discon-
ented as she stood by the window
visiting the ribbons Of her dress
ound her white fingers.
The girl had scarcely given a
hought to Paul for the past few
ears, although she had missed
i'm sadly at first. But time and
hange of scene had almost oblit-
rated from her mind the mem
ry of the old days. The last six
ears of her life had been spent
n the Continental a school in |
'aris andin travelling from place
D place with her mother. Only
very rare intervals had she