Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-06
(;20lNE;

- ~ VIII not be my fault IL we are not,
COUSIN Prudence" said Ella
AND she held out cold, cammy hand in
succession to her cousins, who, quite unequal
to the occasion, could only stare at this un-
expected addition to the family circle in un-
civilized surprise.
For Aunt Prue had been thinking, ever since
the aifalr OF the merry-go-round racers and
MISS ELIAS appearance at Trevor Square was
the, result of her thoughts
She was distant cousin, who had been left
cnce but the reluctant charity of half.sister,
alded py generous and substantial gifts from
the rlch relations on whom poor Ella was
taught to look with servile respect.
want a wise and sensible companion for
my nieces," wrote Aunt Prue to Elias half
sister. 81 want some one that can trust to
be with them at all times. | want them
watched 9tt; by day and by night
lheres chance for you now," Elias half,
,sueT ye bad ad sad tossing her the letter And
meyer meyer get such another, If you'll keep your
wits about you, you'll be as fine lady as
any OF the rich Talbots yet. But therell be
Sharp eyes on you, remember. Prudence Tai
DOT lsh TO be fooled; she is as sharp as steel.
AND ELIAS narrow gray eyes had glinted
eagerly beneath her red lashes and she made
up her mind she would be wise enough to keep
her footing In Trevor Square at any cost. For
poverty is hard school, and we are apt some.
times to mistake its lessons. Ella had learned
to take cunning for wisdom, and to believe
| dark was always safer than light
u know L won't like that pussy-cat of a
girl Bit, said 1rix to Tessie, when they
went to their own room that evening, after
relation
On, don't say that, Trix!" said gentle lit
tie Jessie "She hasn't any father or mother
and IT'S SO good of Aunt Prue to let her
stay here and go to school, so that she can
learn to support herself. And you ought to
have heard what she said about you"
What did she .say!" asked Trix, carelessly
shaking out her black curls before the glass.
~ she he said she couldn't help looking at you;
Irlx laughed out merrily, but she blushed,
too, 1t was the first time she had ever been
fiattered, and she was girl enough to like it.
She says she. wants to be friends with Us
SO much" continued Tesse, "and she asked
me all about papa and Moss Manor and-and
gran; and she says she had grandmother,
too, and she died of rheumatics, and nobody
has cared for her very much since. And she
knows how to make doll bonnets and cut
basques; and can make paper flowers lovely"
IF she hadn't such sly eyes," said Trix,
softening a little. "But she watches you just
ike cat watching mouse. And we'll never
have moment to ourselves, Tessie, see if we
"Oh, please, if you don't mind, may leave
voice from the next room. "I suppose I'll get
used to 1t, but never slept alone in my life
before, and this room seems SO big and
strange, Don't tell Cousin Prudence, please,
but indeed I'm afraid"
And Ella, looking very thin and shivery,
peeped IN tlmIdly, upon the sisters
Come In, said Irix, bluntly, eff you want
."Oh, thank you!" replied Ella. "I know
it's very foolish, and ought not to give wav.
but ! always do get lonesome and frightened
at night. My sisters little girl always slept
with me, and L miss the precious darling so
much"
lit after awhile" said Tessie, sympathetically.
, And your room is right next to ours, and
you can leave the door wide open between. %
Thank you, dear You are SO good and
kind" said Ella, putting her arms affectionate-
ly round Tessie's waist. Don't she look like
an angel all in white? I really feel as if she
were going to spread out her wings and fy.
And, oh, what lovely hair you have. Cousin
Beatrix! Let me brush it for you, dol"
Don't call us Beatrix and Therese please!''
SAID IrlX, little impatiently, cts so poky
We've been Trix and Tessie all our lives"
III call you Trix, then. It's ever SO much
prettier" ;" said Ella, brushing out her cousin $
piaek curls with deft, soothing touch that
lrlx found very pleasant. II never saw such
beautiful hair in my life; it's just like silk.
You must let me brush it for you every night
won't you? l love to handle such hair:
mine is SO stiff and straight"
And Ella brushed and flattered until Trix's
prejudice was literally smoothed out and She
began to think her new cousin was very
nice girl indeed. wy
The door was left open between the rooms
that night without any opposition.
But Ella must very soon have forgotten her
fears, for long after Trx and Tessie were
quietly sleeping, a slender, white-robed figure
rose and glided into their dimly-lit room