Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-07-08
AN AWFUL COUSIN.

gasped Mrs. Courtney, the usual majesty
of her demeanor some people called 1t
effrontery), almost hidden by tragic hor-
ror. "Listen, Cordelia Listen Augusta p
With quivering lips she read:
"My Dear Cousin shall be in your
city next week and will do myself the
pleasure of paying you visit. Yours
affectionately,
81. H. Arbuthnot.
"Oh, what shall we do ?" walled Cor
della.
"What shall we do ?" bleated Augusta.
81 must say it's highly impudent OF him
to insist on claiming me as his cousin.
He is only your fathers second cousin, "
said Mrs. Courtney.
"He was kind to us last summer when
we were on the farm," put in Cordelia,
with some dim stirring OF justice. eve
were there two months and had the best
of everything. 1t didn't cost us a cent.
And you know you invited him up, moth
er %
Augusta looked at her sister in rather
frightened fashion. She had not the
courage OF Cordelia, especially when it
came to taking issue with her imperious
mother.
ooh, know |" acknowledged thatlady,
impatiently. zone always seems 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 personseems never 10 learn the
art of self -effacement. have i'll" She
rose, quite triumphant glow SutfuSlng
her cheeks. eve shall not have received
the letterl 1t will have arrived just after
we left. We will pay little visit to New
York. Luckily we saved enough money
for it by sacrificing ourselves on that farm
all summerp'
"That's diplomatic idea p declared
Cordelia.
"And Mamie can look after things for
your father and his unexpected guest, J"
Mrs. Courtney said as she tore the note
in tiny fragments and dropped them in
the waste basket. 81 am sure we have
and entertained her long
enongh so that she ought to be willing to
do anything TO helpl Now, we must get
the packing DONE"
Mamie Moore was distant relative OF
Mrs. Courtney and had come on visit
which she had been anxious for some
time to cut short. She did not like the
ponderouS matron nor her schemng
But poor, meek, kind Mr.. Courtney
was different. She agreed readily TO stay
and keep him company when his wife
and daughters announced that they must
go TO New York.
They had the coziest OF little meals to-
gether in a tiny sitting room that boaSted
an open fireplace.
Mamie was small and slender, with
wonderful eyes, the color OF golden sher-
ry, cleaning from under curling dark
lasheS, FURNISHED brown hair, a straight
little nose and a mouth made for smiles.
She was down on her knees making
toast one evening almost week after the
departure of her aunt and cousins. A big
protecting apron covered with its beruffled
whiteness the gay little houSegown OF
rosy cashmere she wore. SO merrlly
were she and Blayne laughing they did
not hear the servant opening the door.
A tall young man OIL the threshold stood
looking approvingly on the picture before
they were award of his presence.
"Oh!" cried Mamie. She sprang to
her feet in confusion.
The young man put down his suit case
and took stride forward. Boldly he
caught Mamie and gave her flushed cheek
a kiss before she could protest.
"Its all right - we're cousins, you
know But are you Cordelia or Augusta ?
Your mother got my note, of course P?
I'm Jack Arbuthnotl"
T'm not your cousin !" said she, draw
ing herself up Indignantly. 'rm neither
Cordelia nor Augusta! Pm only Mamie
Moore, distant relative of Mrs. Court
ney, and | don't know thing about any.
letter. Aunt and the girls are in New
York."
The young man must have been shame
FULLY brazen. He did not seem bit con-
fused or even sorry. Indeed, his smile
grew even more genial, and before the
gaze of his keen blue eyes Nannie's own
glance dropped.
Robert Blayne came forward, his hand
smilingly extended. He was beaming
with Joy. welcome home, my boy!
Yes, Mamie and Lare all alone here, but
she's a capital little housekeeper, and you
must stay and make yourself quite al
home," said he.
And Jack, swinging out OF his overcoat,
iound his glance straying TO the girl with
Ihe toasting fork.
"I'll stay and thank YOU" he cried
heartily. "The best hotel is only hotel,
you know"
Then he dropped on one knee and in
sisted on helping Mamie TO make the
toast, part of which he burned as badly as
King Alfred burned the cakes.
Ten days flew by-ten rare, sweet en-
chanting days, full of much walking and
singing and confidence, and pleasant
evenings when the host made one OF a
most congenial trio.
Mr.. Courtney had written at once to
MS wife, telling her that John Arbuthnet
had arrived. AS he did not know that
lis family had fled to escape Arbuthnot, it