Year: 1869

cause We called each other cousin, though
only second cousins, We felt at liberty to say
and do just what We chose. Being such old,
familiar friends, we declared that it would
be absurd to think of falling in love with
each other, and so there was no danger in
playing the agreeable, and having what we
should call in the city a desperate Irritation.
Cousin Ben's law studies proved rather q
failure, [ m afraid, for his time was other.
wise taken up. We took long walks, hunt
ing up specimens for my herbarium, sailed
on the pond, and took moonlight drives when
We felt romantic. Almost every fine morn
ing Ben horse would come canter;ng up
the road and there was some reason why |
ought 10 go with him. IF my checks were
redGer than usual, he would say solemnly,
Cousin Carrie, it really distresses me to
see you look so poorly. Perhaps had bet
ter tell Peter to saddle your horse; ride
may do you good. -


When IT was too warm to go out, we
read together, and Ben's superior culture
was an advantage to me that appreciated.
Our readings generally ended in long talks
about everything, earthly and unearthly In
the evenings we practiced Duets and songs
with our heads over our music book, and he
learned to play the flute to please me. Some
times we would astonish good Aunt Lydia
by singing love songs to each other with an
amazing amount of expression, and when
she would look alarmed. first at one and then
at the other, through her spectacles, we
would go off in perfect peal of laughter at
our own absurdity, and her wonder 81 our
performance.


SHE was entirely mystifed by our pro-
ceedines, and told me once or twice, that
she didn't approve of our going on 1t
was in vain that | tried to explain to her
that We were merely having platonic fiirt-
her, in the world.


''Plaionic nensensei You need not talk
to me, Caroline, | know better. There is
no such thing


Do you know German, Consin Carrie ?"
asked Ben, as we sat sewing-Aunt Lydia
and myself


Not word of it, Ben


Then think must begin 70 teach it to
you. Don't you think l had better, Aunt
Lydia?,'


Perhaps you had better tesch her law
Such hard study since you have been with
Judge Minot at Melton, mus. have render
ed you competent. -


Very trpe. But it might be best TO dis
cipline the mind frst Oh German, answered
Ben demurely.


re begun It ;he next day, and the bursts
OF laughter thst reached Aunt I.ydia's ears.
as I undertook 20 pronounce the gutterals,
gave her occasion to remark that she was
not aware before what an interesting study
German was. was never happier in my
lite, though [ began TO lose faith in that
magic word 'platonic' and didn't let myself
think what Melton would be for NE when
Ben was gone, and We sung no more love
songs together with expression.


''One bright day We walked together,
laughing and talking as usual, he carrying
my portfolio, for had teen sketching when
he said: THE Melton people cant under
stand us at all, Carrie Do you know how
they talk about us?"


''What do they say %


80, all sorts of things; that We have
been engaged for two years: that We are to
be married next month, and the like. Il
was only last night that Judge Minot told
me that he thought loved you, and that it
was folly to call it Irritation


.'And what did you say Z" l Ionquired,
for he wanted an answer.


II didp' t say anything; but I'll ten you
what | thought, Carrie-shat it was per-
fectly true.


''It came suddenly. Kate, that you can
not think how felt for moment. My
heart beat SO loudly that you could almost
have heard it and yet l was so glad and
happy But only drew my cape bonnet
down, so that Ben could not see my face,
and said:


'Well, and what then?"


80, nothing only should like to know
if you love me?


Are you really offering yourself to me,
Ben? Because if you are, | wish you would
kneel down, and DO it in the real. novel
style


Certainly if you wish it But it's dusty
here can you wait till we reach that grass
there?'


20, yesl But did not tell you that l
have always intended to refuse my first of
fer? I don't ike to break my word


"Very well; refuse me now, and when
We reach the aforesaid grass | will offer my
self again, and then you can accept me, fall
into my arms, and murmur-yes


Il shall do nothing of the kind l shall
merely ask week TO consider in. -


But, CARR" time without try
ing to conceal his earnestness-''you have
not answered my question yet.


What question ?'


"You know as wei as do, Carrie. ~


well, then, cousin Ben, go and get me
those buttercups. TO prove that you are in
earnest, and I'll say YES ~


Eve were walking past the only hill in
Melton. and away up the steep side saw