The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-27
TIE EVENING STORY
Mrs. 8Tontfeth's country cousin.

10y AlAAa M DUall6.
a little way beyond shenield the
Pittsfield express stopped in the open
country.
Jack Austin leaned back in hfs seat
IN the drawing room car and gloomiiy
viewed the discouraging vista Of mud
and driving easterly rain outside He
did not yearn for a weekend in the
wilds Of New England in March, but
Montetths wife had set her heart upon
celebrating her husbands birthday at
their country house. so Austin-being
fond OF MOntieth-held his peace and
wisely submitted to the inevitable.
Mrs. Montieth's note had not tended
to brighten the prospect
My little cousin from the country
k1ttie AdamS=Wil be here the letter
ran, and. shall depend upon you, as
Dicks friend to see that she enjoys
herself as this is her first experience
in society Kate Reynolds, the west
ern heiress, whom every one was wild
about at Bar Harbor last summer is
back from Europe and viii be here, too.
All the men are sure to be at her feet
and it is only because I know your
aversion to the modern society belle
that dare ask you to look after
Kittie. Cordially.
Dora MoNTEITH"
He felt a horrible conviction that he
could never stand three days of it, but
If the worse came to worst ne could De
summoned back to New York by urgent
business, and If he must be dragged
about, the chains of the country col sin
were preferable to the golden ones OF
the heiress.
He hardly noticed at first that the
train had stopped, but when the stop
page continued and one man after an
other got up and went out, his curiosity
was aroused and he followed them out
into the chilly, drizzling rain
On the track ahead confused, black
lad A
been wrecked-how, no one knew No
one was hurt, but it was an awkward
business and there was no saying how
soon the rails would be clear.
There was certain comfort IN the
thought that each hour added to the
journey meant one less with the coun~
try cousin, Jack Austin reflected grim
~, swinging himself up the steps Of the
car, disgust written in the set of his
broad shoulders, in every line of his
face. Suddenly as he passed down the
aisle on his way to his seat voice eX-
Mr.. Austini' and then-"I am
sorry to trouble you, ''-anxiously
will you tell me If there is any dan
Austin turned. pulled his cap from
his head, and found himself staring IN
blank surprise into the face of a tai,
dark-eyed girl who eyed him with
mixture of amusement and apprehen-
II beg your pardon" he STAN
rs there any danger7' she repeated
anxiously.
"Oh, no, none whatever. I hope you
were not frightened he replied, pull
ing himself together as well as man
can who is face to face with a distract
ingly pretty girl.
IT confess it did startle me"
He stood silent, looking down at her.
But of course '-demurely-"I am
not frightened-now."
IT wonder If you'd mind telling
me-" he said iFrelevantly. 'how you
came to know my name"
She laughed and wave Of color
dyed her face a delicious pink.
With the initials on your bag and
photograph at Mrs. Monfieth 's--wl1o
talks q great deal Of jack Austin-it
was not very difcuIt to make two and
two into four
A sudden light illuminated Austin's
BRAIN So this charming apparitiOn was
the little country cousin" He would
not have jumped so quickly to his con-
clusion had he not dinnly remembered
that Mrs. Montieth had mentioned her
coming on this train.
fOther people can make two and
two into four" he returned, radiantly.
II am delighted to meet you-A1iss
Adams"
It was easy to see that she was ire
mendously surprised How did you
know" she asked and laughed-and
then she laughed again.
''Teiepathy," he responded. II am
great at it. You would be surprised If
I told you all I know about you"
For example ?"
THAT you live in a small (but de-
lightfuD country town"
And %
That you are about to make your
first plunge into that much overrated
hirlpool-society."
-
It is wonderful She laughed again,
subsiding on her chair in her merri-
ment.
IF your let me sit down" he said,
"I'N complete the picture"
While he spoke he had taken off his
heavy ulster and thrown it over the
back of the vacant chair beside her.
81 have heard of you from your
cousin. Mrs. Montieth,' he said gently. /
"She told me how difficult it was to get
you away from Hilldale even for Dicks
Now that is ali wrong"
The thought of all this loveliness vast
ing. unappreciated in Hilldale, lent
added fervor to his voice. you are
bound to have jolly time at the Mon
But it will be 50 dinerent-fron-
So many people" Some I
thing perilously close to a. smile touch /
ed her lips.
you will soon grow accustomed to |
all that. TRANQUILITY
Think how nervous I shall be be- /
fore I do. The introductions- first /
dinners"
But I am to take you in to dinner |
he returned contemporary. Truly the I
Fates had been exceeding kind.
She glanced at him swiftly. How |
do you know"
Mrs Montieth promised"
''Sure you won't regret ft?''
He eyed her reproachfulIy and she |
laughed again.
DO you know the rest of the
Darty2''
He mentioned what names he knew. |
And the new western heiress," he I
added
who is she2"
Miss Reynolds. doubt If you win /
care for her She has had a lot of at /
tention and dare say her head has |
been turned by it.
"Oh!''