The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-22
THE EVENING STORY
An Awful Cousin.
(By Mary AIdine.l )

SeAAASu II SIrontery), almost hidden by
tragic horror. Listen. Cordelia!
| she read:
My Dear Cousin: I shall be in
your city next week and will do myself
not
"oh. what shall we do?" walled
Cordelia.
gusta.
81 must say it's highly impudent of
MIN to insist on claiming me as his
cousin; od do He is only your fathers sec
He was kind to us last summer
when we were at the farm" put in
Cordelia with some dim stirring of
and had the best of everything. 1t
didn't cost US a cent. And you know
you invited him up, mother!'
augusta looked at her sister in a
| not the courage of Cordelia, especially
when 1t came to taking issue with her
imperious mother.
"Oh, I know!" acknowledged that
lady, impatiently. zone always feels
obliged to say that sort of thing. But
you know how you'd feel to have him
talking of crops and cattle to our
visitors. That sort of person seems
never to learn the art of self efface-
ment. have it!'' She rose. quite a
ttTI1Iu1mPhant tlII1d % glow suffusing her cheeks.
w, >snalI NOT have received the let
teri It will have arrived just after
We IeLt. We will pay little visit to
view ork. Luckily we saved enough
money for it by sacrificing ourselves
on tnat farm all summer!'
THAT'S diplomatic idea!' declared
Cordelia. 90
And Mamie can look after things
Tor your rather and his unexpected
guest! Mrs. Courtney said as she tore
tne note in tiny fragments and drop
pea them in her waste basket 'I am
sure we have supported and entertain
eo her long enough SO that she ought
20 pc wiling to do anything she can
ing done"
Mamie Moore was a distant relative
OF MRS. courtney and had come on a
some som time to cut short. She did not
ike the ponderous matron nor her
scheming daughters
But poor, meek, kind Mr.. Courtnev
stay and keep him company when his
Wlfe and daughters announced that
they must go to New York.
They had the coziest of little meals
togetnsr hass IN tiny sitting room that
Mamie was small and slender. with |
wonderful eyes the color of golden
snerry cleaning from under curling
dark Iashes, FURNISHED brown hair. a |
straight little nose and mouth made
for smiles. AA-ouo
she was down on her knees making
toast one evening almost a week after
the departure of her aunt and cousins.
A Dig protecting apron covered with
It's beruffled whiteness the CAV little
mouse gown of rosy cashmere she |
wore. So merrily were she and Blavne |
laughing they did not hear the servant |
opening the hall door A tan voune
man on the threshold stood 1ooIin9
approV1ngly on the pleasant picture
ence. AIS Pie
"Oh!' cried Mamie. She spranr to |
her feet in confusion.
Ihe young man put down his suit
case ana took a stride forward Boldly
ne caught Mamie ana gave her flushed
che9K EEK a KISS before she could protect |
It's all right-we're cousins. Won
Know! But are you Cordelia or Au-
gusta? Your mother got nv note Of |
course? I'm Jack Arbuthnot!"
m not your cousin!" she said.
herself up Indignantly. "I'r3
neither Cordelia nor Augustai I'm on
~ Mamie Moore, a distant relative of
Mrs. courtney, and 1 don't know a
thing l about any letter. Aunt and the
girls are in New York"
The young man must have heen
shamefully brazen. He did not seem
a bit confused or even sorry. In
deed; his smile grew even more genial.
Ina a1.e oeIore the steady gaze of his keen
olue eyes Nannie'S own glance droop-
Robert Blayne came forward. his
hand hand smilingly extended. He was
my boyl Yes. Mamie and I are ali
alone here, but she's a capital little
housekeeper, and you must stav and
make yourself quite at home!'' said
he.
And Jack, swinging out of his over
coat, found his glance straying to the
girl with the toasting fork
TIL stay, and thank you." he cried
hotel, you know."
Then he dropped on one knee and
insisted on helping Mamie to make /;
the toast, part of which he burned as
badly as King Alfred burned the
Ten days flew by-ten rare, sweet. {
days, full of much walking
and singing and confidence. and pleas
ant evenings when the host made one I
Of a most congenial trio.
Mr. Courtney had written at once to
his wife, telling her that John
Arbuthnot had arrived. AS he did not
cape Arbuthnot, it did not occur to
Mr.. Courtney to explain in his letter
hat this was not old Arbuthnot of the 7
farm but John Arbuthnot, jr., who
fields. T
Much to Mr. Courtney's amaze
nent, his wife did not return. He +
wondered at such laxity in SO energetic a
knew her to be. But he made the
pest excuses he could, and was re- z
ieved to see that John Arbuthnot, jr
lid not seem bit hurt-nay. that he
Ieemed to be more cheerful as the
lays became weeks and the weeks +
1ne month, and the month grew into
.wo without any sign from the alb
;ent ladies except renewed excuses. t
One day John Arbuthnot, jr, told
Mr.. Courtney something that made t
linn shake that young mans hand very b
heartily and then kissed blushing Nam
lie. Not long afterward the three O
vent tn a church Then Mr. Courtney >,