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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI nnd ISO Tc6T CHART No. 2) 1.0 I.I 1.25 4.5 5.0 111 BiUh, 3.2 3.6 1^ 1.4 2.5 |Z2 1.8 1.6 A. ■f APPLIED IM/^GE Inc 1653 East Moin Street Rochester, New York 1. 509 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288-5989 -Fax f^ THE THREE COUSINS. »T MRS. MAY AGNES FLEMim i ^ ACTHOB or "The Secret Sorrow," ••c«ri.i« i ». . » t arr.ed by Stor,.,,- „ o «e N ight'8 Mystery," *c. TORONTO • PBINTED AND PUBLISHED ' BY W. G. GIBSON. .likij I The Three Cousins. CHAPTER I. HINTON HALL AND ITS MASTER. *' That dear old home ! Soraethiug of old ancestral pride it keeps, Though falling from its early power and vastness." — Mrb. Kemble. '• He hath a tear for pity, and a hand Open as day for melting charity . Yet notwithstauding, being incensed, he's flint." — SlIAKESPEARF, In the subarbs of the large town of P- stood an old building of dark red sandstone, known in the neighborhood by the somewhat imposing title of '• Hinton Hall." The scenery around Hinton Hall was very beautiful. Behind in the distance towered a tall, dark, fragrant pine forest ; in front was a wide expanse of lawn and meadow, dotted here and there with clumps of trees, or sloping gently down to the river, or rather a wide mountain stream dignified by that name. The house itself was a large, strong, massive old mansion, built more with a view to comfort than elegance, and somewhat dilapidated by the stormK of half a century or more. Still it was a tine old house, and its owner, Captain Tom Hinton, c-ie of the richest and most in- fluential men in the State where he lived. It was a wet, chilly night in April. Outside the rain was plashing dismally against the window, and the wind moaned wildly through the pine forest. The wild roar of the river, swol- len by the spring rains and the floods from the mountains, could be distinctly heajrd bv the inmates of Hinton HalL But dreary as was the scene without, inside all was bright, warm, and cheerful. In one of the lower rooms of the old hali, 4 THE THREE COUSINS. before a Klowiiif< coal firo, Hat Captain Tom Uintoii, late of tho United States Army. The soft, warm carpet, rich heavy cur- tains of pur})lc damask lined with corn-colored silk, tho satin- covered couches and loungin/^' -chairs scattered about, the many rare painting's ornamenting ilio walls, the glowing fire in the polished steel grate casting a light so bright around that tho flashing jets of flame from the chandelier wore rendered super- fluous — all formed a striking contrast to the chill, dreary gloom without. In a large easy-chair, near the Are, with his feet resting on a softly-cushioned ottoman, his meerschaum reposing sublimely between his lips, lay Captain Hutton, arrayed in a gorgeous dressing-gown. A portly father in Israel was Captain Tom Hin- ton — "a potent, grave, and reverend signor," with a fat, very good-humored face, straight, sleek, whitey-brown hair, twink- ling gray eyes, and the self-satistied look of a man at peace with hiniFclf and iLc whole world. And yet, in spite of all this hon- hntnnic, Captain Hinton could get into a rage, sometimes — a furious one, too — during which, I am sorry to say, he would swear right and left,jmd blow up everybody who came in his way in a manner perfeclly awful, lint Captain liinton was rich, went every flne Sunday in full regimentals to the Methodist meeting to hear the fashionable Mr. Jereboam Goodenough "■ liold forth " and expound the word, and of course was sure of a free passport to heaven, swear as he might. But Captain Hinton was not a bad man by any means, and though he did order every beggar who came to his door to "go and be hanged' first, they were always sure to depart well loaded. In a word, to use his housekeeper's eulogium, •' the captain's bark was a (jreat deal worse than his bite." Captain Hinton was a bachelor ; he did not believe in the female-persuasion himself, though by no means a woman-hater. In speaking of Catholics, he constantly affirmed that, though (to say it in the mildest way) his opinion was they would all go to Old Nick, still he thought the celibacy of the clergy a very re- deeming point in their character, and the only sensible thing he ever knew about them. His house was kept by a meek little widow, not remarkable for anything but the whiteness of her caps, the blackness of her dress, and the excellence of her din- ners. On the present occasion she sat opposite the lord of the •4-' •♦• .. THE THREE COUSINS. 5 manor, hor hands folded demurely on her lap, hor oyo8 f.xod at intervals upon tlie roses in tlieheartli-ru^ and her master's face. " Mrs. Colter," said Captain Ilinton, in solemn tones, •• I liavo news for you." •• Yes, sir,'' said the little widow, meekly. "Perhaps, Mrs. Colter," continued the captain, "you may not be aware that in my youth I had one brother and two sis- ters." Mrs. Colter ventured to insinuate that she uuts cognisant of that fact. " That being the case, ma'am," said the captain, *♦ you may not be surprised to hear that they all got married. It's a mel- ancholy fact, but people irill get married, you know," said the captain, in a moralizing tone. •• Yes, sir," said Mrs. Colter, feeling intensely guilty for hav- ing committed the unpardonable crime herself. '* My brother, Ned liinton,'' went on Captain Ilinton, with a confidential air, " was, I may say, nn/thcr wild— ray tlier, I may say. He used to drink liard and swear like a trooper (I curse a little myself now and then, but that's neither here nor thuie, nor anywhere else, as CJusty Ardcnne says), and he capped the climax by making a low marriage at last. Y'cs, Mrs. Colter, ma'am he disgraced the tamily by marrying his mother's house- maid. Well, of course, the family disowned liim, and he, with his Irish wife, went to New York or somewhere, and took tc drinking harder than ever. The consequence was that he died one day — drinking men nill die, you know," said the captain, in the same confidential tone as before. *' Yes sir," was once more the little widow's stereotyped reply. "We heard poor Ne^l left one daughter — a JvukiIc,^' said the captain, as if to impress on Mrs. Colter's mind tliat the daughter in question was not of the masculine gender, "and tliat she lived with her mother somewhere, and took in sewing. That was ten years ago, Mrs. Colter. My mother was dead, and I, the head of the family, was up in Nebraska with my regiment, and too busy killing Indians to trouble myself about widows and orphans. Well, ma'am, to shorten this preface, when 1 came home two years ago, I made some inquiries about them, for I didn't like the idea of letting poor Ned's widow and orphan starve to death, while I had more money than I knew what to do with, but I THE THREE COUSINS. couldn't find them. So I settled down, and had nearly for- gotten all about them, when a fortnight ago I got a letter from a priest, informing me that Mrs. Hinton was dead, and that her daughter, my niece, was living with the Sisters of Charity (a lot of women, Mrs. Colter, in big bonnets, who don't get married)," said the captain, interrupting himself to throw in a word of ex- planation, " and that as she was very poor and I was very rich, he had made inquiry, and found out my address, in hopes I would do something for her. Well, I wrote to this priest, and told him to pack Miss Hinton up in somo baggage-wagon or other, and send her along here. You wouldn't have me leave my own niece depending on any one, would you, Mrs. Colter?" said the captain, looking fiercely at the meek little widow, as though suspecting some terrific outburst of indignation. Not being in the least indignant, Mrs. Colter made no such outburst, but answered, in a tone if anything meeker than usual : '* Of course not, sir," •' Ah ! you're a very sensible old lady for your years, Mrs. Colter," said the captain in a mollified tone — " a very sensible old lady, I must say. Well, you may expect this young lady here at any time now — to-night, as likely as not. I suppose there are lots of spare bed-rooms she can have." "How many bed-rooms will she occupy, Captain Hinton?" ventured the old lady, in tones of much surprise. "How the dickens do / knov/ ?" said the [captain, gruffly. " As many as she hkes. They're in order, I hope, Mrs. Colter ?" •' Captain Hinton," said the little widow, drav/ing herself up, *' my bed-rooms are always in order." " Hum ! Very good ! • And now about my two sisters. I told you I had two sisters, didn't I, Mrs. Colter?" said the captain, in a defiant tone, as if daring her to deny it. " Yes sir,"' responded the old lady, looking at the hearth-rug. " Well, the oldest married an individual by the name of John Seabright, the mate of a vessel. The mate of a vessel, Mrs. Colter," said the captain, pausing again to explain, " is a man smelling of tar and oakum, who climbs up the rigging of the hatchway, and yells out to every ship he sees, through a trumpet, vo ' liuuiVB lu -"-r lie ii ure into iier. iviy aisiei vvenij lu sea vviiiii this mate of a vessel, but a storm came one day, and capsized the ship, and all hands were drowned but one sailor and my mm THE THREE COUSINS. sister's daughter, who were both tied to a spar, or had a spar tied to them, I clv^n't know which, and drifted ashore. The sailor had a wife (sailors are fools, you know Mrs. Colter), and' she brought up this little girl, not knowing where to find her friends. I found this out accidentally the other day, so I have sent my attorney to find out this other niece of mine, and bring her here, too. There's no telling what minute she may come either. My family is increasing fast, you see. Why don't you say something, Mrs. CoUer?" said the captain, severely. " 1 hain't got anything to say," repHed the little widow, rather alarmed. " You have no objection to their coming here, have you, Mrs, Colter?" said the captain, in a tone of increased severity. ** Lor' bless you ! no, sir. How on airth could I ?" ** Ah ! I'm glad to hear it ; because it wouldn't have made the slightest difference if you had, you know, Mrs. Colter. Well, you heard me mention another sister, didn't you ? " *• Yes, sir," said Mrs- Colter, with her sweetest smile. ** Well, sheH living yet," said the captain, looking as if lie ex- pected some tremendous demon '^tration from the widow on hearing it. Mrs. Colter wasn't in the least surprised, but seeing it was ex- pected of her, she exclaimed, in a tone betoken'ng not the slight- est particle of emotion : " Possible, sir ! '' " Yes, ma'am," said the captain, condescending to look pleased, *• but she's got a large family of children, principally daughters." " Dear me, sir ! " said the widow, trying a sigh at this point, by way of experiment. " Our family were great on daughters, Mrs. Colter," said the captain, with solemnity. " So I perceive, sir ; are you going to send for them?" " Send for them ! what do you mean, Mrs. Colter ?" said the captain, with a terrible frown, fancying the little widow was dis- posed to jest at hixu. ** Explain your meaning, Mrs. Colter." " Really, Captain Hinton, I did not mean to offend; I — I — I—'' stammered the little widow, blushing and breaking down. ** Mrs. Colter," said the Captain, gravely and with dignity ,^ " allow me to oDserv'e tnat ' i — i — i — , iiowever piauSiDie it may sound, is no reason whatever. No, ma'am, I don't intend to bring • them ' here. Does that satisfy your mind, Mrs. Colter ?* 8 THE THREE COUSINS. " Indeed, Captain Hinton, I beg your pardon ; indeed, indeed', . sir, I didn't mean to offend," said Mrs. Colter, ready to cry. "Mrs, Colter, I forgive you," said the captain, in the calm tone of a persecuted but patient saint ; «* and I repeat it, ma'am, I do7i't intend to bring them here. My intention is— and allow me to observe once more, if you don't like it, it doesn't make the slightest difference— my intention is, to send for one of these daughters, the eldest ol tlie lot, whom I had the pleasure of see- ing when she was an ugly little red-skinned baby, with a face like a new moon, and dressed in what / regarded very unneces- sarily long petticoats ; though I don't pretend to have an opinion on the subject. That was sixteen years ago, and Miss Dent (her father's name is Dent, Mrs. Colter) was just two weeks old at the time, so you perceive she is in her seventeenth year. There is no telling what time she may come either. In fact, in the words ^ of Scripture, we may expect them ' like a thief in the night.' " Here the captain drew down the corners of his mouth, and looked pious, " Thus there will be three young ladies here, Mrs. Colter, and between those three, when I die, I intend to leave my wealth. There are three bed-rooms, en suite, up- stairs somewhere, isn't there ?" he said, after a pause. " Yes, sir ; they open into each other." •' Very well ; have fires lighted in each of them, to air 'em. And, Mrs. Colter, if there is any little feminine tomfoolery needed for them, just send James to P for it ; I'll foot the bill," " They are very nicely furnished, sir ; I don't think there is anything needed." " But there is, Mrs. Colter, ma'am ; I tell you there is," said the captain, in a high key ; '« girls are always wanting something —a new frock, or a tooth pulled, or a husband, or a somethina. You will have to send to P— , I tell you." " Hadn't I better wait till the young ladies come themselves Captain Hinton ? " " Hum ! ha ! Well, perhaps you had. Hark ! there's a car- nage coming ! Didn't you hear it coming up the avenue ? Run to the window, Mrs. Colter, and see who it is." ** f^fl.nf.ain TTirifr»i-i if a r\Jf/^li J«„U " „„:j Ti,r-._ /-i_ii ^ „ . . ,„.,.._.^^j ^^ .J |^it;^ii \a.ax.ix, HU.IU iViio. \_/Ulier, lU ttU mjiu'ed tone ; " I hain't got cat's eyes, to see after night." ♦' Ough ! just like women— a worthless race !" grunted the ft if X THE THREE COUSINS. captain. " There f^oes the bell ! By the holy nose of John Knox ! that's one of 'em ! Which one is it, though, is the ques- tion." There came a rap at the door at this moment. •* Come in," shouted +' <^ captain, turning round in his chair in order to face the dov; A spruce chamber-maid entered, and announced : " A young lady in the drawing-room for master." •' Show her in here," said the captain, savagely. The girl beat a precipitate retreat ; and, turning to the little housekeeper, the captain said, with gloomy sternness : '* Mrs. Colter, ma'am, it's one of 'em." Even as he spoke the door was reopened, and a slight, girlish figure, in a coarse grey cloak and plain straw bonnet, entered, and stood hesitatingly at the door-way. " My niece, I suppose," said the captain, rising and advanc- ing towards her. " My dear uncle," said the young girl, raising the hand he extended to her lips. She had the softest, sweetest, most dulcet voice the captain thought he had ever listened to ; and the large, soft black eyes she raised to his face were full of tears. •' What's your name, my dear?" said tlie captain, consider- ably softened. " Mittie Seabright, sir." **Ah! — the daughter of my poor sister Helen who was drowned with — that mate of a vessel. Hem ! I see," said the captain, holding her hand and looking musingly in her face, ** You don't look much like your mother, chil^J." •* They say I resemble papa, sir." •* Yes, so you do ; though I never had the pleasure of seeing that individual but once, and cannot say particularly. Are you tired. Miss Seabright ? " •• A little, sir ; but I beg you will not call me Miss Seabright ; say Mittie." " Very well, Mittie then be it, though it's rather a heathenish name, I think. Sit down, my dear. Mrs. Colter, will you go and tell some of them to get Miss Sea— Mittie, i mean — some- thing to eat ?" "My dear uncle, don't take the trouble. I had my supper 10 THE THREE COUSINS. with the gentleman you sent for me, about two hours ago," in- terposed Mittie. •' But I say you must eat something. Zounds ! madam, do you think, when I invite my nieces to live with me, I'm going to starve them ? Ring the bell. Mrq. Colter. Take off your bonnet and cloak, Miss Sea — Mittie, I mean, and make your- self at home. Ring the bell again, Mrs. Colter. I'll twist the neck off every lazy loiterer down in the kitchen regions, if they don't learn to move faster." For one instant the black eyes of Miss Seabright were raised to her uncle's face with a keen, bright, searching glance. Then the long black lashes drooped and fell, and a slight, a very slight smile curled her thin upper lip. . A servant now entered with refreshments, and the captain in- sisted on her drinking a glass of wine to his health, while he drank two or three to hers, ^hon Miss Seabright rose, and asked to be shown to her room, in ider to change her traveling dress and brush her hair. Mrs. [Colter led her up a flight of broad, winding stairs of bright polished oak, and entered a sort of gallery, with three doors opening on either side. The little housekeeper opened the first to the right, and ushered Miss Seabright in, saying : ** You can take this for your room, Miss Seabright ; the other two will be occupied by your cousins. They are all furnished alike, and open into each other, so that you could walk through the three rooms without going out into the hall. I occupy the room opposite this, across the hall ; the next is the library, and the next is the guest-chamber, for any distinguished guest who may happen to be here." '* Um-m-m," said Miss Seabright, in a soft, musing tone ; **.and where does my unci ^ sleep ?" "Down-stairs; his bed-room opens from the room you left just now." •' Ah ! very well ; but, Mrs. Colter, can I not lock this door communicatmg with the others." *• Certainly, if you wish it. Miss Seabright ; the key is in the lock." kjo XV in , i BCC X \i ii V ~ . XTXX C ii have brought up my trunk, I see, so I will not detain you any- longer.'' THE THBEE COUSINS. II I f Thus quietly dismissed, Mrs. Colter left the pretty little room — and it was a very pretty little room that wet, chilly, bleak night, with its bright-hned carpet, window-curtains of green- and-white, its little French bedstead, with snowy counterpane and hangings, its large, soft lounging-chairs, its toilet-table, and gilt-framed mirror, and white toilet service, its little wash- stand, painted white, with wreaths of gilt flowers, its small and round table to correspond, and, lastly, its bright, warm, cheer- ful fire. No wonder Miss Seabright's eyes lit up with pleasure as she glanced around — with more than pleasure — with triumph and ex- ultation — for it was the first time in her life she had ever dwelt in a better house than the sailor's humble dwelling. Half an hour after Miss Mittie Seabright tripped down the stairs and entered the room where her uncle sat. The cap- tain got up, drew a chair for her near the fire, took her hand, and gazed for a moment in surprise and admiration in her face, exclaiming : '* Upon my word, Miss Seabright, you're a pretty girl — the very prettiest girl I ever saw — and as good as your pretty, 1 dare swear. Upon my word and honour you are," said the squire, looking highly pleased. " You have not forgotten how to flatter. Uncle Hinton," said Mittie, laughing and disclosing two rows of pearl-white teeth. She was a pretty girl, and looked it as she stood there, every motion instinct with grace (not the grace of God, perhaps, but something Miss Seabright valued considerably higher). In stature she was below the middle size, slight and slender, with a waist you might almost span with one hand. Her face was thin ■ — a little too thin, if anything — dark, bright, and sparkling, and lit up by such a pair of eyes, black as night, soft as a dove's, keen as a serpent's, with a strange sort of red light shining through them. Long, drooping lashes of midnight blackness shadowed those strange, beautiful eyes, and short, crisp, spiral ringlets of the same shining, jetty hue fell on either side of her crimson cheeks. In the shade those clustering ringlets were of the deepest blackness ; but now, in the firelight, the same fierce rea nue siione tiirough liKe rings oi name, one wore a tight"- fitting dress of dark crimson merino, that displayed the exquisite little figure to the best advantage, and set off the dark, rich 12 THE THREE COUSINS. ltt'""'"'^"1 1'tt'e serpent, bril now by softer fur-b„t aro^.Je tr T'' "'"' ^^"^ ^"^^ ^'"^W*" ''lingfeS'sS'^tfrha^'tr^isfn'*^^ --^ '"-"i- ta.n auite lo^st in.,ZrltnofrXZl '''" "'' '"" '"'P- bri«ht^et;rXSinrevtt/r, "' ,"^'" ^'^ ^iss Sea- ,. " Oatcb me at it ! And now f! 1 ''T^J <^'^* ''^^'"'S- life." " "°'^ *^" ™e all about your former ^on wS;^n"N^i"^'oA*°i:!;^ ^ I few up with Mr. Han- died there after a time ifC 1 „nt ^V^"' ^""^ ^ouldhaye <=Ie, I liave no words to tefl you 11^"^ ^t' "'• ^^^'^'^ ""- sweet voice of Mittie so soft » nj ? ^ff !^"' ^ "'"'" ^"'d "'e low, purring of a cat. "'"^ '°'^ "'^* " reminded one of tlie T^^'^Je^lr^''''^ ^S?:^'^^' rt'["'- quiek,:i;a:p'£f:'^!:n;r"u„r a'T *"'.','"'= ^''•" -^ - that instantly drooped agaL? ' '''"^- '''*'''' eyelashes, " How old are you, Mittie?" I'^ighteen, sir." '•' TW'?\' ^°" '^'J?'' '""'^ wore than fourteen " sho«:!4VSrU3'.r^^".'4^''^^e ^f'!- '-«'"i"^. and again. ^ ""^^r "^^^ ^"der the tlim crimson lipg '^'^tZZ^^'C'^f'''^^''^^^^^^^ -s heard driy. -door. The captain ha ros?nh;=T^"f^,''°™ ^^^^^^ds the ■"g knock the Lstan aft^a "k",\e !'y '" ^i^'!?' ^ '^^under- . " That's another of them hvVf r^ ''°''%','; '^^ "^^ l^°use. fried the captain, wli e S>'o h"H 'T^' ^^^'^'"8'°° i' i« •' " household. ru'shed'tot:^dot^X:ip^^«on^s^^^^^ °^ "'« " Who kuooked 80 loud and who knocked so late." ' » THE THREE COUSINS. IS m *'i "^ If CHAPTER II. CAPTAIN HINTON's NIECES. " One woman reads another's character Without the tedious trouble of deciphering." — JONSON. " Her waggish face that speaks a soul jocose, Seems t' have been cast i' the mould of fun and glee, And on the bridge of her well- arched nose Sits Laughter plumed and white-winged Jollity." — Tennent. A moment's pause succeeded. The captain stood with mouth and eyes agape with impatience, watching the door ; Mittie's darkly- sparkling face, with its flashing curls and veiled eyes of fire, were turned in the same direction. Presently a shrill, im- perious voice was heard in the hall, reprimanding the old servant for his delay, and the next moment the door was flung violently open, and something muffled in numberless shawls, hoods, and furs sprang in, glanced around the room, sprang at the captain, grasped him round the throat, while kiss after kiss went off like so many pistol-shots. '* Let me go ! you confounded woman, let me go ! '' gasped the strangled and nearly suffocated son of Mars. " Let me go, I tell you ! Mittie ! Miss Seabright ! Mrs. Colter ! pull her off* be- fore she chokes me ! You darned little wretch, I'll hill you if you don't let me go," and with a push the captain threw her off and glared at the new-comer with a face purple and eyes starting with rage and strangulation. ** Well, there's an affectionate welcome for you." said a voice from the depths of a quilted hood : ** calling me a * confounded woman,' and * a darned little wretch,' before I'm right in the house. I've a good mind to go right straight home again. I just have," and the voice in the hood arose to a shrill falsetto as she recounted her wrongs. " Who in the name of all that's impudent are you? " asked the captain, angrily. •* Who am I ? Why, I'm your dutiful niece, Miss Josephine Dent, of Virginia, and a pretty welcome I get after leaving my bed and board, and heaving myself away on an ungrateful unclt who can't appreciato me." 14 THE THREE COUSINS. Miss Josephine punctuated this speech by kicking off her rubbers and pitching her mufflings over the carpet. " I've been getting my hfe jolted out in a horrible old ark of a stage-coach for the last two days, not to speak of minor troubles in the shape of want of sleep and nothing to eat, and the end of it all is, that I'm a • darned little wretch.' Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Uncle Tom, to talk like that ? you, that ought to be a burning and shming light and an elder of the church I " Here Miss Dent hurled her quilted hood indignantly at th« cat with such good aim that she sent that defenseless quadru- ped over on its back. So completely thunder-struck was the captain by this spirited address, that he sank helplessly into his chair, and sat with his eyes riveted on the orator, a young girl about the same age as Mittie, with a round, white, boyish forehead, a great profusion of tangled brown hair, a pair of immensely bright sparkling brown eyes, two red, dimpled cheeks, and a little wicked, laugh- ing mouth, that wore anything but a laughing expression now, however, and altogether the brightest, merriest, sunniest, most impudent little face you could see in a day's travel. She and Mittie were so totally different that there was no comparing them, yet both were equally pretty — in their way. One might have represented night, the other morning ; one darkness, the other light. One would have impressed you with a sense of something tierce, beautiful, dazzling, and dangerous ; the other with an idea of light, sparkHng, buoyant life. Having got her hood off, Miss Dent had an opportunity of be- holding Miss Seabright, and with the exclamation, "My cousin," she pounced upon her in much the same manner as she had at- tacked the captain, and off went another startling broadside of hugs and kisses, very like a sharp volley of little pop-guns. '* Lord bless us !" ejaculated the caprain, involuntarily loosen- ing his cravat, " anybody that gets a hug fi'om her will have a pretty good notion of what hanging is. Talk of bears ! ugh !" Miss Seabright endured her cousin's furious embrace as best she might, but an iceberg would have returned it as warmly. Even the white heat of Miss Dent's affection cooled down, and she allowed Mittie to recede without a lecture. '• Oh gracious ! how tired I am ! ' exclaimed Miss Josephine, sinking into a chair and panting for breath. THE THREE COUSINS. Iff i^»K •' No wonder, after iwo such frantic Lugs," inwardly growled the captain. ♦* Uncle Ton. Ihe bell's near you, ring, like a dear," said the fatigued one. •*Ring, like a dear!" The familiarity of the address stmck Captain Tom Hinton dumb. To speak to him so, to him, before whose roused wrath every one in the house quaked with terror ! Words would have failed to express his consternation. In awful silence he sat and gazed on the audacious girl. ♦♦ Uncle Tom, ring— n/t//,- I tell you ! Don't you hear well?" peremptorily repeated the little virago, no way daunted by his tremendous frown. Like one in a dream, Captain Hinton's hand moved to the bell-pull, but his eyes never wandered from her face. A servant entered. "Here, you— I don't want you— go and tell my own servant to come here." "Her oum servant," mechanically repeated the bewildered captain. '♦ Yes, her own sei-vant" mimicked Miss Dent ; "her own old nurse. Did yon suppose she was going to come up here among a lot of savages without even an old servant to look after her. No, thank you ! Aunt Eammy," to an old black woman, in a gaudy turban, who entered, " take these things up to my room, wherever it is," and Miss Dent gave a kick to the wrappings she had just thrown off, " some of them will show you, and have a lire made to air the bed-clothes, or I'll take my deiitli of cold. I feel the rheumatism in my bones already," and with a shiver the young lady drew closer to the fire. " Will you have a glass of wine?" said the captain, remem- bering at last the duties of hospitality, and trying to recover his wits, scattered by the astounding shock they had received. ♦• Thankee, uncle ; 1 never get intoxicated so early in the evening ; I'll get Aunt Rammy to make me some egg-nog before I go to bed." " Aunt Rammy ! what a name," said Mittie, speaking for the fii'st time since Miss Dent's entrance. v/i_i ; iici. iia,iii.s^ D (auuiiioiiLHo, uuc WG usG to Ctfcii iier xiammv at home, for short," said Miss Dent. " But look here, Uncle Tom, you're shockingly impolite ; you haven't introduced m« to 16 THE THREE C0U8INB. this young lady yet. Where do you expect to die wheu you ga 1.C, if you keep on like this ?" " My name is Mittie Seabright, Miss Dent," purred Mittie, in her sweet, dulcet tones. '♦ Oh ! is it / But, Cousin Mittie, don't keep on saying 'Miss Dent'; I ain't used to it, you know; call me Josephine, or Joe ; they never call me anything but Joe at home." " As you please, Miss— Joe. So you come from the State of Virginia, do you ?" she said, with one of her keen, searching glances at Joe's fair, open face. " Yes, I hail from the Old Dominion ; there's ten or eleven more of us down there, that anybody's welcome to, poor as Job's turkey, and with terrifying appetites ; Fll show you a specimen by and by. But there was another cousin to come, if I under- stand right. Where is she ?" . " She has not an-ived yet," replied Captain Hinton, m his most sternly dignified tone. •* Humph ! when will she be here ?" •' I do not know, Miss Dent." " Hum! dear me, how imposing we are !" said Joe, opening her brown eyes very wide. "You're as frigid as the iiortli side of a snow-bank, Uncle Tom. Very well, it's perfectly right you should be respectful to me and call me Miss Dent, if you have a mind to. I always like to encourage good manners myself. My ! what nice times I mean to have here ! Got any horses in your stables, uncle ?" ** Yes a few." " Spavined and ringed-boned, I'll bet you. You don't know what tine horses are up here at the North Pole." " I have a racer in my stables that you dare not go within five feet of, much less mount," said the captain, nettled at this *♦ We'll see that to-morrow, if the weather's fine," said Joe, coolly ; " and, uncle, you'll give a party in our house when my other cousin comes, eh ?" iv. i j " Upon my word, Miss Dent, you are the mcst off-hand young lady it ever was my fortune to behold," said the captain, once more completely astonished. ♦* Yes, you know there is some Hinton blood in me, and that *' THE THREE COUSINS. 17 f has always been noted for givin{j[ its possessor a large stock of native impndencc," said Miss Joe. Under lier long eyelaslics the wickedly sleeping eyes of Mittie Seabright saw a storm rising on the captain's brow, and the red rings of tiro went dancing more vividly than ever through lior curls of jet. But Captain .linton was too much of a gentleman to get angry with a lady in his own house ; so he gulped down his in- dignation and wounded pride, and rising, said : " Miss Seabright and Miss Dent, it is wearing late, and you must be fatigued after your journey. Allow me to ring for Mrs. Colter, and wish you good-night." He rang a peal that presently brought Mrs. Colter into the room, and then he was stalking away in offended majesty, when Joe perceived she had really offended him ; she ran after him, caught him by the arm, and whispered something so absurdly penitential that in spite of himself the captain burst out laugh- ing, shook her off', and left the room. " There, it's all right now," said Joe ; " I knew I'd make him laugh. Law ! it's not worth anvbody's while to be angry with me." •♦ I must put a stop to this,'' thought Mittie Seabright, watch- ing Joe furtively from under her drooping lashes. " She will soon be prime favorite with this old man, in spite of her imper- tinence, if I do not prevent it. Well, Miss Joe Dent, we shall see — I hardly think i/ou will undermine me." *' You can take the room next to Miss Seabright, Miss Dent," said little Mrs. Colter, as she preceded the young ladies up-stairs. " Next to her ! it would be nicer to sleep together ! I want some one to talk to," said Joe. Mrs. Colter looked inquiringly at Miss Seabright. •* Oh ! certainly, certainh/, Mrs. Colter," replied the soft, coo- ing tones ; '* prcif/ let Miss Dent sleep with me, and if the captain in angry, say it was my fault. It is my desire, you know." That settled it. '* I'm afraid Captain Hinton ivv/ht not like it," said timid Mrs. Colter, who might have known very well Captain Hinton would not \m\ r\ ^^t\ ■%tr\ rl ^T""*.*"^ 1 C cctitrii CL cti.in ** Oh ! then let it be as he arranged," said Joe ; " though I really can't see why he should make such an old Miss Nancy of IH THE THRP.E COUSINH. iiiiiiHelt* to caro. Aunt ilaininy can Hlecp on the flo* of my room, can't hIig, Mrs. Colter ? Thougli, perhaps, Uncle Prim won't approve of that eitlior." •' My dear couHin, plcast' do not »oa>" so of uncle," pleaded the gentle, honeyed tone »f Miti *> s her ey«8 fell on Mrs. Colter, who stood listening, afi<) louking ^eeply scarvdahzod. " What have I said," said .Km^, losing puitience. of which virtue she did not possess a very ia^rge share thr best of times; '*T want to know if my old uurif fiin jsleep in my r(>om ; if she can't, yfhy, there's an end of it." ** There is no necessity for gettir^sr angry or speaking disre- spectfully of your uncle, Miss Dent," »aid Mrs. Colter, gravely ; ♦• I will send your servant up, and have a bed made for her near yours." " All right, then, good-night," and Joe flounced into her room, indignant at the old lady's rebuking tone, which she felt she had really said nothing to deserve ; and Mittie, with her silken smile, passed into her chamber, and shut herself in with her brooding thoughts. The next morning both the captain and Joe had recovered their go^^d humor ere they arrived at the breakfast-table, and that meal passed ^>ff in the pleasantest possible manner. Miss Seabright, lookiu^/ as a ol and fresh as a May breeze, took the head of the tahle, at her uncle's desire, and did the honors with as much ease and grace as though it had been her place all her life. "Now, Uncle Tom, now for the stables," said Joe, as they arose from the table ; " I reckon I'll let you see some of the tallest sort of riding you ever beheld in your mortal life. What (lo you call this magnificent specimen of horseflesh of yours ?" <* Starlight," answered the captain, putting on his hat, ''and if you're wise you won't atteii >\)t to mount him, my little Vir- ginia lightning-bug." '♦ We'll see," said Joe, putting her arm through his ; •'I'm not going to show the white feather if I can help it. Do yor. ride, Cousin Mittie?" •♦No, I never mounted a horse in my life," said Mittie. *' Well, 'better late than never.' I'll teach you. uome aiong. The captain offered his other arn, .o Miss Seabright, and the ^liree descended to the yard leading r.\ . ', stubles. THR THREE COUSINB. Itf Old Hob, the coachniaii, throw open tlio doors for them to onter. Tliere woro sovoral tine horses here, but Joe's eyes were fixed on a superb black horse, whose small erect head, rtery eyes, and ^'raceful, tapering limbs boppoke him a thor^ Mighbred. ♦• Oh ! what a beauty !" said J' j, her whole f : •• ikindling with delight. " 8oh ! noh ! Starlight ! be quiot, sir," she added, pat- ting him, soothingly, and fearlessly stroking his neck, while Mittie and the captain looked o-i in dismay, expecting to see aqt •crushed against the wall. " You little villain, come out of that I" said the < aptain iu terror, " do you want to be killed ?" •* No, thank you ; just go and tell your groom, uncle, if there exists such an individual, to come and saddle Starlight. I'm going to rif^o him. There ! there ! easy, my boy," said she, stroking his silken mane. " Hide Am/ ride Starlight ! Is the girl crazy?" exclaimed the captain, bursting into a perspiration of terror. " No, the girl's not crazy," said Joe, '« or if she is, you'll soon find there is ' method in her madness.' What do you call your groom, uncle ?" '* Bob." *• Very well ; here, :'5ob ! hi ! Bob !" said Joe, going nto the yard; *'come in hero and saddle Starlight while I run )ack to the house and don my riding-habit." And off ran Joe. The astonished Bob obeyed, and led the fiery StarligJit out into the yard, champing the ground with impatience. And in a few monaents Joe appeared, looking handsome and saucy, in a blue riding-habit, with a black hat and a long black paime cocked jauntily on her brown head. ** Joe ! my dear, don't go ! You provoking little dare-d. vil, don't go I" said the captain, between rage and dismay. " Don't you be afraid, uncle ; I've ridden horses as untan ed as Starlight in my time," said Joe, with cool confidence, as she placed one little foot in Bob's palm and sprang lightly into t le qMle ; *' hand me a whip. Bob ; now, off we go!" And off Starlight bounded like mad at the first touch of the whip, nearly rearing hnnself upright on his hind legs ; but Joe sat as firmly and immovably in her seat as though she were part of the animal, holding the bridle with the firm and dauutles^^ hand of a practised rider. jQ ■ THE THREE COUSINS. >. She'll be kUled! as true as preachmg," K^f .'^'^ ''"f °;''*': vnn mv dear uncle," said Mittie, softly. , u •• „„;.i ^ "'^0 she shouldn't, it's not right ; I'll put a stop to it said *h. cactain "I'd ne;er have sent for her if I'd known she was a ToTboy like thls-can't see who she took it from to be such '' '!fE^:^XZ!^^i^^!'^^ -king her appearance forgotten all about her," said the captain, hurrying into the hofse "Mittie! my dear, come with me, and welcome your """'wiui pleasure, sir," said Miss Seatright with alacrity Thev passed through a side-door into the house, and enteied the pilor There stood Miss Hinton, who sprang foi-ward, Masued both her uncle's hands in hers, and burst into tears. " "^Eh I what'tthis for ? Don't cry. Miss Hinton ; don't now, tl,»ro'» !, Lmod L'irl " said the captain, rather surprised. "'"You were ^ kind, so good, to offer me a home - How can I ever thank you ? said Miss Hinton, with emotion. ^T Fiddle-dee-dee ! that is, don't make a goose of yourself , Miss Hinton," sakUhe captain testily. " What's your given name, my dear ?" :: X^youfmother-humph 1'' grunted the captam loo|ng dissaUsfled. •' Well, Eveleen, tins is your cous'n M.t le Sea- bright. Mittie, attend to M.ss^Hinton,_wh.le^I__ go to se^e^^^^^^^^ chat confounded — i mean iviiob i^vui. , ^^^^ •--.-- -r- - to the front door to look after the runaway. . '^ Let me help you off with your things, my dear cousin, said ■I i THE THREE COUSINS. 21 Mittie, whose keen eyes had been searchingly fixed on Miss Hinton ever since her entrance. She saw a tall, well-rounded form, a pale, thoughtful, gentle face — more intellectual than handsome — soft gray eyes sha- dowed by dark lashes, pale golden hair combed smoothly off a broad white forehead. Mittie's black eyes flashed with triumph as she saw how inferior in beauty she was to herself. *• I will not have much trouble with this one," she mentally said : " She is one of your soft, quiet, silent folks, I fancy. This madcap of a Miss Dent is twice as great an obstacle, though this one does bear the family name, and has the best right to my imcle's fortune ! Hem ! your star is in the ascendant, Mittie Seabright ; take care tluit it remains there." All this time she had been removing Miss Hinton's wrappings with the most tender solicitude. That young lady, completely exhausted by her long journey, had sunk wearily into a seat, thanking her new-found cousin- with a kiss and a grateful smile. While thus occupied the thunder of horse's hoofs coming up the road resounded through the house, and the next instant°the captain's voice was heard shouting in rage and alarm. ''You little limb! Oh! wait till I get a hold of you, if I don't pay you off for tliis !" *• That's Joe," said Mittie, laughing, as they both ran to the window in time to see the cause of the captain's alarm. Some yards below tlie house was a stone wall, about six feet high, inclosing tlie captain's orchard. Towards this Joe came lashing on Starlight at headlong speed, with the evident deter- mination of taking it in a flying leap. ♦' Don't dare, I tell you ; you'll break your nock, and, what's worse, the horse's. OJi ! if I only had a iiold of you !" yelled the captain, shaking his list at her in impotent rage. But he hadn't a hold of her, and he might as well have talked to the moon tor all Joe minded him. Backing her horse for the leap, over it he dashed in splendid style, while a ringing shout from Joe announced her feat. "Gloriously done, by Jove 1" cried a spirited voice, as a young man on horseback galloped up and watched admiringly Joe's leap. *• Didn't I do it beautifully, uncle, and ain't you proud of me ?" said Joe, riding up the avenue, and laughing at the cap- 22 THE THREE COUSINS. tain's enraged ^face. '* 1 think I've let Starlight lind he has a Tnaster " '•I've a good mind to box your ears, you impudent little witch " " I vow if you did, uncle, I'd give you such another hug that you'd never get over it. Hallo, Bob, come and take Starlight," said Joe, leaping down and standing on the front ^ iazza with the caplain. " Get out of my sight, you madcap— here comes Gusty Ar- denne," said the captain giving her a push. Joe laughed and ran into the house. At the same moment the horseman came ambling slowly up toward the house, and tying his horse to a post, shook hands with the captain, and said, with a laugh : , i i . v.xi *' My dear captain, can you tell me who that daring little lady is who leaped the fence a moment ago ?" *' Yes," growled the captain, *' she's my niece, Joe Dent, oi Virginia." " Introduce me." " Of course. How are all at home ?" *♦ Quite well. But, Captain Hinton, I did not know you had Q niece hero ?" '* Got three of 'em here on a visit, and you shall have your choice, my boy ! ha ! ha ! you handsome dog," said the captain, giving him a facetious poke in the ribs. The young gentleman laughed, switched his boot with hia riding-whip, and followed the captain into the house. r, 9P I CHAPTER III. MITTIE SEABRIGHT PLOTS. " In face an angel, but in soul a cat." '' And slie with her bright eye seemed to be The star of that goodly companie." Gustav Ardenne, son of the ex-Governor of P— — , was a young man of three-and-twenty, rich, handsome and an only son. There was a certain dashing, frank, off-hand way about him THE THREE COUSINS. 2d I- h very taking, and Master Gasty was an immense favorite with the ladies, somewhat spoiled by them, if the truth must he told. To sum up his accomplishments in a few words, Mr. Gustav was a splendid horseman, a dead shot, a first-rate stroke-oar, an expert angler, and an excellent dancer. He could fight a duel and make love with equal facility, break in a horse and fan a lady with the same cool self-possession — was equally at home playing the piano, or exercising with boxing-gloves, and last, and of course least, would inherit a fortune of a cool million or so when it blessed Heaven to take the ''governor." Such was the young gentleman who, in the most unexcep" tionable morning costume, followed Captain Hinton into the parlor. Joe was there alone, pirouetting round the room, and whistling the Prima-Donna Waltz as few of the lords of creation could have whistled it. She came to a sudden halt at their entrance, and, poising herself on one foot, and perching her head bird- fashion on one side, began swinging her hat by the strings. " Miss Dent, allow me to present my young friend, Mr. Ardenne ; my niece, Mr. Ardenne," said the captain. Miss Dent acknowledged Mr. Ardenne's profound bow by A naucy nod of her ringleted head, and flung herself into an arm- chair. "Where's your cousin, Joe i^" inquired the captain, looking round. •* Mittie went up-stairs with Eveleen just now." As she spoke, Mittie, who had seen Mr. Ardenne enter, came into the room with her usual soft, cat-like step, looking so bril- liantly handsome that the old captain's eyes lit up with pleasure as he presented " my niece. Miss Seabright, Mr. Ardenne." Mr. Ardenne's bow was, if possible, more profound tlian that he had just made to Joe, and his look of surprise and profound admira- tion did not escape the delighted captain. Joe, leaving Mittie to entertain Mr. Ardenne, ran up-stairs to doff her riding habit and make herself better acquainted with her cousin Eveleen, whose gentle manner and sweet face had already made a far more favorable impression on her heart than Mittie's dark, bright face and dove-like voice could ever do. Joe regarded young men rather with contempt than otherwise, and considered them a species of animal, composed of vanity I 34 THE THREE COUSINS. and whiskers, destined by Providence to punish the world for its sins, as locusts are looked upon in the East. On entering Miss Hinton's room she found that youn'^ lady kneeling on the floor and unpacking lier trunk. '^ '• Oh ! go on ; don't mind me in the least," said Joe, flinging herself on Evelecn's bed. " I j iist came in to have a chat, and, if you put yourself out on my account, 1 shall go away again." ' Eveleen had risen to receive her, but now resumed hor work, saying, with a smile : " Very well, then ; since you are good enough to excuse me, I will go on. I want to examine my wardrobe a little." ** It's so strange that we three should be cousins," said Joe thoughtfully. ' ** Is it," said Eveleen, " and why?" " Oh ! because we are so different ; not a bit alike in the world. Do you know, I don't think I shall like our Cousin Mittie." *• No ! what has she done ?" '* Well, nothing; she is very polite and sweet-voiced, but there's somethimu I can't tell wliat, about her that seems queer. Did you notice her eyes ? ' '* Yes, who could help it? They are so splendid." "Oh! they're handsome enough, but the quick, sharp way she looks out of them sometimes— did you see tliat I noticed it the first time I met her ?" •'I did not observe." ;* Well, you know she mostly always keeps them cast down, to heighten the effect I suppose, when she looks up. But at times when she thinks no one is looking, she'll lift them, and you'll see a sort of keen red flasli. Cousin Mittie's wide awake, I can tell you." " Well, what harm is there in that?" '' Oil ! there's no harm, not the least, but it's odd. Ain't uncle a dear old man ?" " Yes, indeed," said Eveleen, warmly ; ''so kind, and gener- ous, and good. I loved him tlie moment I saw him." •' J list the way 1 was taken ; and these rooms are so pretty and his horses are splendid. I'm going to make him give a par^y, and bay me a piano. Do you play T' -A little." ^ F J' I- THE THREE COUSINS. 25 1 *♦ Pond of dancing?" '* I never dance." " Whew ! where did you hve before you came here ?" •* Witli the Sisters of Charity in New York." " Nuns ! Why, you ain't surely a Cathohc ?" said Joe, getting up on her elbow, in her surprise. *' I am a Cathohc— yes," said Eveleen, unable to resist a smile. •• My gracious ! I'd never suppose it — they are such strange people. " Have you known many of those * rtrange people' ?" •' I never knew any, but I liave heard of them." Eveleen laughed such a genial, musical laugh that Joe liked her better than ever. " Since you never knew any Catholics, you should not judge them unheard, my dear little cousin; there are some very sensi- ble and amiable people among them, I assure you." *' Exceptions, I suppose, like you." ** Rather better, I should hope. I suppose vou never saw a Sister of Charity, Cousin Joe ?" " Never ; there were none down home." " Then you never saw angels in human form—glorious women, who brave famine, pestilence, war, and death to devote their lives to their fellow-creatures — noble women, who give up wealth, and home, and every earthly comfort to serve the poor, the sick, and the despised— heavenly women, who trample the earth and worldly joys under their' feet, to take up their cross and follow their crucified Saviour. Cousin Josephine ! if you saw these earthly angels what a different idea you would have of Catholics." " 'Pon my word, Eveleen, I had no idea you could fire up this way. I suppose you'll be one of these Sisters of Charity some day yourself." ^ *' I wish it were my vocation, but I'm afraid it's not," said Eveleen, blushing a little at Joe's quizzical look. " I'm glad you think so; my opinion is that every girl's voca- tion is to get married, and flirt, and enjoy herself generally. Do you know the kind of a man I mean to marry ?" " No. I wish I were a man for your sake," said Eveleen^ laughing. *' I jush wish you were ; I'd be Mrs. Hinton in no time; but as 26 THE THREE COUSINS. it's not likely you'll ever be one, I intend to marry some dear, old, good-natured, gray-headed, rich fellow, who'll pet me and let me do as I like. Ain't it nice to do just what you like ? Now, I don't like young man at all, especially handsome ones like that Ardenne fellow; they're nothing but conceit and mustaches, a set of apes, the whole of 'em." '* A sweeping assertion that," said Eveleen, " Now, 1 think there are some sensible young men in the world — if one could only find them out." " Ah ! that's the difficulty ; just lay one hand on your heart, and the other on that love of a lace collar, and say you ever met one. You can't do it, you see. If there is a sensible one among them, it's an exception; the rule holds good still." Thus conversing, the two young girls remained until the din- ner-bell rang, and then Joe jumped up and ran off to her own room to brush her hair m ] an-ange her dress. This done, she joined Eveleen, who, in her plain black dress and white linen collar, was looking the very perfection of neatness, Mittie had already taken her place at the head of the table, and greeted them with one of her silky smiles as they entered. " Has your visitor gone, uncle ?" asked Joe, taking her seat. "Yes; he had an engagement somewhere, and couldn't stay to dinner." " How do you like him, Mittie ?" asked Joe, slyly. " Pretty well. Pass the mustard, please," said Miss Seabright, carelessly. " Handsome — ain't he ?'' " Very." " Did you make a conquest, coz ?" '* I really don't know, Miss Dent, and— with all deierence — don't care," replied Miss Seabright, languidly, without hftmg her large eyes. " Humph ! you might care, then; Gusty Ardenne, I can tell you, is no small prize in the matrimonial lottery," grunted the captain. '• Is he so very rich?" said Mittie, with more mterest than she had yet betrayed. "I believe you ! Only son of Honorable Joseph Ardenne, late Uovernor of P " THE THREE COUSINS. 27 With a sudden energy that startled them all, Mittie dropped her knife and fork, and exclaimed : " What ! The Honorable Joseph Ardenne his father. Are you sure, micle?" •• Of course I am. What the dickens has got into the girl ?'" *• Do you know if Mr. Ardenne's native State is Maine?" said Mittie, unheeding their surprise in her eagerness. *' Yes, I beheve so. What in the name of " But Mittie, a perfect adept in the art of dissimulating, dropped her eyes, shining now with a triumphant light and composed her face to its usual calm, careless look, and interrupted him with : ♦'1 met a person in New York once who claimed to be a rela- tion of some Honorable Josepli Ardenne from Maine, but 1 did not know this was he, She was a school friend, and I must write and tell her I have seen this honorable cousin of hers." The quiet indifference with which this explanation was given disarmed the captain's surprisor^ but had he only seen the trium- phant flash of her black eyes at that moment ! '♦ I say, uncle," said Joe, " I want to get acquainted with all these people— all your aristocracy, you know."' " Well, Flibbertygibbet?" •* Well, I want you to give a party— that's the way to do it." " I intend to, my dear." •• Do you, really. uncle ! you're a nice old man ! When ?'^ "Next Thursday." " That's you. And another thing, I want you to get me a piano." " I hate noise," said the captain, testily. " Noise !" repeated Joe, indignantly; ♦' there's a man clanning to be a Christian, and saying he hates music! Why, uncle, what will you do when you go up to heaven. It is all music there." " Is it ? I expect you've been there, eh ?" " No, but I expect to some day. And, uncle, you must give us money to buy. dresses." " Take the carriage after dinner, go to P , order anything: you like, and I'll pay for it." '• Will you, uncle? Oh ! you're a real seraph, and no mistake ! come with n you gm 28 THE THREE COUSINS. you must excuse me,'' said Eveleen, " I feel rather tired, smiling. I must, I suppose; what do you say, Mittie ?" go, with pleasure; but really, uncle, you are too (( "I will kind." " No, he's not," exclaimed Joe; " it's his duty to dress his pretty nieces prettily, and he's got plenty of money. I mean to run up a bill as long as the moral law." ** You impertinent little ape," said the captain angrily. But Joe only laughed, and danced away when tlie meal was over, to dress for the shopping expedition. The invites were written and sent out, and all was bustle and preparation at Hinton Hall from that until the eventful night. Mrs. Colter would have pressed tiie three girls into her service but Joe would '' none of it," and having wheedled the captain into buying her a piano, spent her time practising and riding Starlight, to the great wonder and admiration of all the good people of P . Mittie, closeted with milliners and dress- makers, had no time to attend to any one but herself ; but Eve- leen good-humoredly gave up all to assist the old lady, and with her cheerful presence, skillful hands, and - bump of neatness," invoked order at last out of this cliaos. The night arrived. The doors of the stately old mansion were thrown open to the elite of P , who were rapidly filling the brilhantly lighted rooms. Captain Hinton stood ready to wel- come his guests, supported on one side by Miss Seabri^ht, and on the other by Miss Hinton. Mittie was dazzling, radiant in a gold-colored satin under black lace, a ruby necklace gleaming like a line of fire round her neck, pendants of the same jewels flasliiiig m her ears and on her arms. Eveleen, refusing all the costly dresses that had been offered her, wore white crape, with no ornament save a plain gold chain and cross, her golden hair twined in broad braids round her well-formed head. And yet, with her sweet, calm face, and pale, intellectual brow, and deep! thoughtful eyes, she was far more attractive than her gorgeous little neighbor, who looked liked some brilliairt golden firefly, alighted there to irradiate the room. Joe Dent, bewildering in blue silk and white lace, and nale oriental pearls, and a great profusion of dancing ringlets, went flying hither and thither with a laugh and a joke for every one, THE THREE COUSINS. 29 turning Uic beads of halftlic young men in the room at the time When tlie dancing commenced she went whirhng round the room' m a brilhant waltz with young Ardenne, on whom the sweet face of Eveleen Hinton seemed to have produced a deep impression for he had raved of her continually. "It's such a shame she doesn't dance," ho exclaimed indig- nantly ;- there she goes, devoting herself to all the old maids and wall-ilowers in the room, instead of enjoying lierself as she ought. There she is standing alone now by the window; excuse me, Miss Dent," and dropping Joe, he pressed through the crowd to where Eveleen stood. "Smitten," laughed Joe,; "hlies are more to his taste it seems, than tulips, for there goes Mittie, all black, and rerl and yellow, like a little flame of fire, all jets and sparkles, and he is so absorbed talking to Eveleen that he doesn't even see her How coolly the girl treats him, too ! just as cavalierly as if she wasn't aware he 13 the beau par eArellejice of the ball. There's Mittie, the centre of the crowd, as usual. I wonder who that stately old gentleman beside her is. I'll go over and see." And suiting the action to the words, Joe approached Mittie who sat on a sofa near a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman' to whom she was introduced as the "Honorable Mr. Ardenne '' "I was just about to tell Mr. Ardenne of a singular story I heard the other day, Cousin Joe," said Mittie, with her sweetest smile and sharpest glance from beneath the long lashes. ♦ ' Have you ever heard of a village in the State cf Maine called Bren- ton, Mr. Ardenne?" The ex-governor bowed with sudden gravity. " There is a thick pine wood near the outskirts of the villafje IS there not?" continued Mittie, while a red flush of malitniant power shot from under her drooping eyelids. " Mr. Ardenne grew deadly pale as he hurriedly said • " Yes." " Well, the story I heard was that the skeleton of a man had been found in the imod, hidden under some low brushwood, w^'^h the skull cleft in twain. Very strange, is it not, Mr. Ardenne '^ said the girl, raising her piercing black eyes, while their red, lurid „ ,...^,,,..^„ ui s -.liiiljii ill liia iuce. " Good Heaven ! Mr. Ardenne is fainting!" exclamed Joe, in V ! 30 THE THREE COUSINS. alarm, as lie fell back, with livid face, ghastly lips, and coitu- irntpd brow, iraspiiiji and suffocating. . '^ ''canrl.im to the open a.r," said Miss Seabriglit.vm.ugq.etly ; " he has not fainted, you prcceive ; even now he is reeovering. Jot bring mo a glass of water, and try to make tliose people ^*'she°'took the water Joo handed to her, and pressed it to his lips. At the same moment he opened his eyes, and fixed tliem upon the dark face bending over hi m in t error and a sort ot vaeue amaze. . ,-^ , . "TT**"^ -h t n,^*^ ■' I know your secret! " she hissed m his ear, with a nialig-mnt smile ; " you are in my power-remember! " and with a glance full of menace, she turned away. "So far so good," was Mittie Seabright's thought as at three o'clock that morning she quitted the Wl-'^°7. °'- l^oS chamber. " I stand higher in the affections of *i' o^'J J°''^ f of an uncle of mine than either of my cousins, and be"e' «»'"' I have totally and irrevocably in my power the ugh and migh y pot ntate of P . Well done, Mittie Seabright I If you only continue to play your cards as well as you have commenced, you will one day bo sole heiress of Hinton Hall, rich, worshiped, and a reieninff belle. But if he should escape ! She pTused' and began pacing the floor excitedly, while her dark brows contracted and her small hands cienched. -Oh! impossible," she added, abruptly; "I will not thmk of it ; he will never trouble me agani." ^ , , , .1,.,^ And the scheming girl threw herself on her bed to dream that all her ambitious visions were realized. Next morning, at breakfast, she appeared with l^^^^^l^' ^^J^^^ cast eyes, her soft, cooing voice, and silky smile, ^^d /iste ed quietly as Joe unmercifully qmzzed Lveleen about young ^''" Half the young ladies in the room were crazy with jealousy, Ev " said Joe ; - and I dont wonder for I never saw any young man so badly taken at first sight. He had eyes and ears for nobody but you. Oh! you made a conquest and no mistake , cut Mittie completely out." _,, .-, t^.._i__ ^._1w "Nonsense, Joe ; how you do run oni saia jLvuiucix, ^^.^if^j blushing. ) I k THE THREE COUSINS. 81 '•And Gusty Ardenae in a conqncHt any girl might b pn ud of making," said the captain, empiiatically ; "yoKU; rich, good-looking, and of high family— what more could a. irl in her senses want ? I don't know any one I'd rather have for a nephew-in-law than him ; and I'll tell you what, girls, which- ever of you gets him shall have a double portion. I flid intend to divide my wealth into three equal shares, but now I've chan^^ed my mind. The one who marries Gusty Ardenne shall have half, and the other half will be divided betwixt the other two. Now, I've told you in time, so you can all try." Eveleen blushed again, Joe, pursed up her mouth and looked saucy, and Mittio stole a quick, sharp glance at him from under her long, sable eye-lashes and smiled slightly to herself. ♦• i'// have him, then, that's settled," said Joe ; " the next time he comes here I'll ask him to marry me, and if he says no, why, you may look out for white squalls, that's all. No objections, I hope, Eveleen ?" " None in the world." ;♦ And what say you, my little bright-winged bird-of-paradise," said the captain, good-humoredly; " shall it be a drawn battle between you ?" " With all my heai-t," cooed Mittie, in her velvety tones, ''and the victory shall be mine, or I will know why," she added in- wardly. CHAPTER IV. MYSTERY AND SUSPICION. " But now I look upon her face, A very pictured show. Betraying not the shghtest trace, Of what may work below." " Bon matin, mesdames !" gayly exclaimed Gusty Ardenne, as, the morning after the party, he presented himself on the veranda where Mittie and Eveleen were standing; " I set out in search of sunshine and have found it here." •• Pray, spare your fine speeches, Mr. Ardenne," said Eveleen, laughing, ♦' for they are quite thrown away here. I believe my cousin Mittie has no more taste for flattery than I have." 32 TIIK THREE COUSINt^. '• By the way, Miss Seabri;^lit, I havt; a message tor you," said the young man; " ratlier a droll one, too." ••Forme!" said Mittio, raising her histrous eyes in languid surprise; •• from whom, pray ?" •• That is exactly what I would like to know ; 1 haven't tho honor of tho gentleman's acquaintance." •• It's a gentleman, then," said Eveleen, glancing mischievously at Mittie, who stood leaning carelessly against the veranda rail- ing, her drooping eyelashea resting on her crimson cheeks, her short, crisp, jetty curls glittering in the sunlight. '• Yes, and a remarkably fine-looking fellow, too, though rather seedy and out at the elbows," said Mr. Ardcnne, as he lounged against a pillar, and began caressing his mustache. ••But, Miss Seabriglit, have you no curiosity on tho subject? Do you not wish to know what tho message was ?" '• I am all attention," said Miss Seabright, half raising hev veiled eyes. " Well, as I was coming along here this morning I was ac- costed by a tall, dark, brigandish-looking fellow, rejoicing in a tatterdemalion costume and any amount of hair, with the in- quiry, if one Captain Hinton lived about here. I answered in the affirmative, and pointed to the house." As she heard the description of the stranger, Mittie had given a sudden start, and grew slightly pale. •• Well, I see I have interested you, so I'll go on,'' said the young man. " The next question of the intensely brigandish stranger was, ' whether Captain Hinton had not a niece living with him at present,' to which I replied that he had three." " Well, and then?" said Mittie, breathlessly. •' Then he asked if one of them was called Miss Mittie Sea- bright, whom he described as being small, dark, and exceeding- ly liandsome, to all of which I, of course, said yes." " And th('}i /" demanded Mittie, excitedly. "Then came the message, if such it can be called. 'Miss Mittie Seabright,' said he, with a smile I cannot describe, • ask her hoiv many hours till (lay dawns '; and before I could speak he turned away and walked rapidly in the direction of Wilt's Inn." Mittie Seabriglit had wonderful self-control, but it all seemed to forsake her now. Her face grew ghastly ; her teeth closed THE THREE COUSINS. gg c 1 chod the ra, in. for support. With excIamatioiiH of HurpriBc ad terror. Kve een and Ardenne sprang forward to assist her! but she waved them off, and said, incoherently • -It's notlnng-a Hpasia-I'm subiect to them-water, please." Eyeleen t ow mto the house and . ..urned with a ghiss of water Mittie drank t o^ and looked down the road in th^e direction of* — -' with -vp.» nrild with terror and affright. -P^ar Cousin aro you better?" said Evelcen, anxiously. Yes, said Mit< lo, with a sort of shiver. 'i o'>^ *'Ta' f'^"" ^^'^bright, this message had nothing to do with Ihrifnfe-" "'' *'^ """" ^"^ '^^'^^ to'nsult you " No, no, no. !'' cried Mittie, vehemently, recalled to lierself by his words ; " mdeed. I assure you. it was nothing," she added smiling and lightly shaking off her gloom and terror ; ' I havo always been subject to sudden attacks of faintness. but they pass off m a moment This seedy gentleman and h s mes age are rather amusing. ' And she laughed her low, soft laugh, bu under this shadowy lustre the red glances of her eyes wfre like gleams from drawn stilettoes. • ' Tlien you have no idea who he is ? " said Ardenne, completely deceived by her sum/ froid. F^tJieiy /'Not the slightest; it is probably some one from P who wishes to play off a practical joke," said Mittie, laughing, -though why he should so particularly select me /.v, I confess somewhat puzzling." ^umess, *; The audacious scoundrel !" indignantly broke out Ardenne; - 1 11 horsewhip him within an mch of his life if I over come S'" ''^^"'' ^''^ '^^ '^ ^^'^* "^'^ """''^ ^"" ""^ ^'^' practical - I beg you will do no such thing, Mr. Ardenne," said Mittie quietly ; - it would come to my uncle's ears, and besides, I have no desire to have my name mixed up with such an affray Yon say he entered Wilt's Inn ?" she carelessly added. ' " Yes ; very likely he is stopping there." " Um-m," said Mittie, musingly, while her eyes were bent on the ground, - it's rather amusing, on the whole, but I h^y you ... ,,^ ^,^.. ^,,^^ ,,^^^^^ -ggg iun-i^i^ fori detest being laughed at. ^4 THE THREE COUSINS. Mr. Ardeiine closed his lips, and went through a pantomime of sewing them up. At this moment the captain's voice was heard caUing Mrs. Colter to come and help him on with his great coat, and Mittie, who was ever by his side to ofi'er her services, glided into the hall and helped him into that useful garment before Mrs. Colter had left the kitchen. Ardenne and Eveleen were thus left tete-a-tete, to the no little embarrassment of the latter and the great delight of the former, who began being as fascinating as he knew how. ** There's a good little girl," said the captain, chucking Mittie under the chin; " always ready to help her old uncle. Well, I won't forget it some day." " Dearest, best uncle !" said Mittie ; " I wan't nothing but your love ; you have already done more for me than lean ever repay." And, as if with a sudden impulse of affection, she flung her arms around his neck, and then turning, ran rapidly up-stairs and sought her own room. • What an affectionate Httle creature she is !'' said the captain, looking fondly after her. '• It's a pleasure to bestow favors on such as her. I hope she'll get Gusty Ardenne. S^ 's the best- looking of the three ; got a pair of wonderful eyes of her own." That night, about dark, a little dark figure, wrapped in a black mantle, glided softly by a side-door from the house, and took the road leading to Wilt's Inn. About ten yards from the house the tall figure of a man emerged from the shadow of some trees and confronted her. ** How many hours till day dawmT he said, carelessly. *• Hush, hush ! Then this is you, Harry?" "To be sure. How do you do, Mittie?" he said, with a chuckle. " I thought you were caged for hfe," she said, bitterly. '* See what thought done ! I knew you would come to-night after getting my message. Don Seigneur Monsieur Mustache Whiskerando delivered it, then," he said, bursting into a laugh. '' And \io\w dare you give it?" she said, in a voice of suppressed passion; *♦ how dare you, sir, imphcate me ? Do you not fear my power ? You have the audacity of the demon himself." — . . — .,.,..^. ,.„._.^, i ctt,- ijxjxA.: iijiio iH a. gooa one ! Are you not as much iil my power as I am in yours. Come now." THE THREE COUSINS. S5 t She ground her teeth, and her dark brows were convulsed with impotent passion. '* There's no use in' your flaring up in this way, you know, Mittie," said the young man, coolly, putting a piece of tobacco in his mouth and beginning to chew; "you used me mighty shabbily that last time, but I'm not a man to bear spite I heard of your good fortune from the Hansons and I came here to share it, knowing that, like the affectionate little girl you are you would not let your " ' **Uyo\i(larer she fairly hissed, in a voice that made him quail. '• Oh ! come now, none o' this," he said in a bullying tone ; " I have you under my thumb, you know, and there's no use you striking lire, little flint and steel that you are ! This rich old cove you live with must shell out. I'm confoundedly hard up, and some of his spare cash must fill my pockets." " Well, how are yon going to get it ?" *' You will get it for me, my dear." '• Steal it, do you mean '?" she said, sharplv. " Oh ! any way you like ; if he gives it to "you, so much the better, if not " a gesture, with his thumb on his nose and his fingers spread out, finished the sentence. " I won't run any such risk for you," she said, passionately. " Very well, then, all will come out, and this uncle of yours will be slightly astonished to find " "Would you dare to tell?" she said through her chnched teeth . A rude laugh was his answer. " What will insure your silence ?" she said at length, and even m the dark he could see the fierce, menacing glitter of her eyes. ** I have told you — money/' "And if I refuse?" " I si)lit— that's all." " You have it— on one condition." I' And that is ?" " You remember the young man you met this morning?" " Don Monsieur, and so forth— of course." "Well, he is immensely rich, and a great favorite with mv uncle, and he says whichever of us (he has two other nieces ai the Hall), whichever of us ra'ames him will get the half of his 36 THE THREE COUSINS. promise you slia] secres) 1 have money you fortune. Now, if you w ijessful one, and after tli want." A long, low whistle was the answer. ♦♦ Well, what do you say ?" she demanded, impatiently. " Oh ! marry him, by all means-^/ won't interfere. Let me wish Don Seigneur joy of his bargain." '* Will you leave this place ?" " No, thankee ; New York's too hot to hold me just now, and ■P is a very nice place." •* Fool ! you'll get drunk and let . il out." '' Trust me for that. I never babble in my cups. But, Mittie, when shall I have the 'ready' ?" '♦ Here is my purse; it has ten dollars only, bnt I have no more. Will that do you for a week ?" ♦* To oblige you, I'll make it. When am I to see yoru charm- ing ladyship again." _ " Let me see — I cannot run the risk of meeting you in day- time, and after night the outer gate is locked. Oh! I have it; •there is a little wicket round near the back of the house, and a side-door opening into the yard from my uncle's room. Come this night week about eleven o'clock— they will be all in bed by that time— and I will meet you there with more money. But mind, if you dare to let a word out about knowing me " «* Make your mind easy, Mittie ; I'm dumb, would not know such a distinguished individual as Miss Seabright for the world." *' And if you value a whole skin, keep out of the way of Mr. Ardenne." " Is he in love with you, Mittie ?" '•Not he, no more than I am with him; but I shall marry him, nevertheless. He is in love with a yellow-haired, doll- faced cousin of mine," said Mittie, with a low, scornful laugh. ♦* Then how will you manage it ?" ♦' His father shall do it, I have him in my power. I'll be Mrs. Ardenne before two months, or know the reason." " Mittie, you're a trump !" said the young man admiringly. " You told me so before two years ago," said Mittie, with a curhng lip. " Good night." She turned and flitted away like a dark spectre in the chill THE THREE COUSINS. 37 night wind, while the young man bent his steps in the direction of Wilt's Inn, carelessly whistling " The girl I left behind me." When she came down to breakfast next morning her smile waa as bright, her brow as calm as evei no signs of the evil brood- ing within could be read in those dark, drooping eyes and thai bright face. Ordering out the carriage after breakfast, she took her seat, and desired to be driven to the residence of the Ardennes. On reaching it she found Mr. Ardenne, senior, in the parlor, alone. He started at her entrance, and turned first red and then pale. "Good morning. Miss Seabright," he said, rising hastily. " Mrs. Ardenne will be delighted to see you ; I will go and tell . her you are here." " Mr. Ardenne, I beg you will take no such trouble," said Miss Seabright, sinking into the depth of an arm-chair, and drawmg off her gloves with her sweetest smile, " my visit was- intended for you." The governor bowed and grew paler than before. "If you are any judge of liuman nature. Governor Ardenne, "^ began Miss Seabright, '' yon will perceive that I am not one to make idle visits of ceremony. I iiave a motive in coming here this morning." " And is that motive to taunt me witJi the knowledge of a secret that I believed known only to myself and Heaven, dark, dreadful girl ?" " By no means, Governor Ardenne; but the subject is quite as deHcate; it refers to your son." Mr. Ardenne fixed his large, strong eyes on her in unfeigned surprise; but she sat before him with her brilliant eves fixed on the carpet, her thin, elfin face looking out from a forest of black, glittering curls as expressionless as a statue in bronze. '• Perhaps some girls might feel embarrassed in speaking on this subject, but I never was troubled with such a weakness. Are you aware that your son is paying attention to Miss Hinton ?"^ " I am aware of that fact, Miss Seabright." " And with vour conaent ?" •* And with my consent." " Governor Ardenne, this must go on no further." 88 THE THREE COUSINS. (< (( Whaty Miss Seab right ?" This match; it must be immediately, instantaneously broken off/ '* Impossible, Miss Seabright !" "And why, sir?" '• Because my son has already spoken to me on the' subject, and 1 have given my consent." " That consent must be retracted." *' Miss Seabright, I assure you ~ — " " And / assure you — you, Governor Ardenne,'' interrupted Mittie, coolly, " that unless it is instantly broken off your secret will be given to the four winds of heaven." As if he had received a spear- thrust, the governor fell back in his seat and covered his face with his hands. "Girl! girl! what object have you in all this ?" he said at length, in a husky voice. " That is my affair, sir, yomsis to do as I command." " Perhaps you wish to be his wife yourself." ** Just as lil'ely as not ; does Governor Ardenne object to me as a diughter-iu-luw ?" she said, with a low, insolent laugh. " What further do you wish?" he said, sternly ; " am I to command my son to M'irry you ?" " Not at all; if I find ifc necessary I will give him that com- mand myself; all you have to do is to forbid any further atten- tions to Miss Hinton." '* And after consenting before, what reason can I possibly give for the unexpected command ?" •* Oh ! you can give him any reason you please — her religion, for instance; tell liim you can't hear of hun marrying a person not of his own faith— or you can pretend a personal dislike to her — .luything you please." '* A'.id thus mortally offend my old friend, Captain Hinton." •' He need not know it ; enjoin Mr. Gustav to secresy, and if he does happen to discover it, I will make your peace." " But mv son and Miss Hinton, tliey will be miserable for life." Mittie's beautiful lip curled. *'i thuuxlit Governor Ardenne had got over the sentluiental nonsense of believing in such stuff ! I should think a certain THE THREE COUSINS. 39 t little accident that once happened in Brenton woods would h;iTe cured him of such folly." '♦For Heaven's sake, hush !" said the unhappy mm growing ghastly. *• You will drive me mad, girl." '♦ Do you promise ?" "Yes, yes, yes !" " Take care that you keep it then," said Mittie, rising. " And, after all, I will be just as good a wife for Master Gusty as my baby-faced, grey-eyed cousin. Good- morning, Governor Ar- denne. For a first visit, this has been very agreeable. Shall we see you soon at Hinton Hall ?" He only waved his hand, but said nothing, and, with a derid- ing smile, Mittie took her seat and was driven to the Hall. CHAPTER V. THK PATIENCE OF EVELEEN. " The good are better made by ill, As odors crashed are sweeter still," " But I tell you, Eveleen, I won't be dictated to in this fashion; he has no right to order me to do this.'" " He is your father, Mr. Ardenne." "I don't care if he were my father twenty times over, he has no right to give any such command. I won't submit to it — hanged if I will!" •' You forget yourself, Mr. Ardenne." " I don't forget myself, nor you either; I have a right to marry whoever I please." Eveleen said nothing, but looked s.idly out at the dead leaves whistling away on the morning wind. " And as I please to marry you, I'll do it in spite of them all," continued Gusty, very much excited. " I fancy I will have to be consulted first," said Eveleen, proudly. '* Rnf-. -vnyi Viava nf^'^-^ *n^*^d Ti^-valaAn '' " That was when you told me your father was willing ; now that he has refused, it alters the matter." 40 THE THKEE COUSINS. t lli! .i':l "But his refusal is so absurd— just because your faith and mine are not the same." '* Your father is right," said Eveleen ; " mixed marriages are always unhappy. But enough has been said on this subject I was wrong to think such a thing ever could be. Your father has desired the connection between us should end— so do I I wish you good-morning, Mr. Ardenne." She arose proudly. "Be it so," said Gusty, bitterly, " It shows how much vou ever cared for me." Her lip quivered, her eyes jBlled and saddened, but she turned away without speaking. ^ "One word, Eveleen," he cried, passionately. " May I not iiope that time — that reflection " " Hope for notliing, sir, but to forget what has passed. Be assured that neither time nor reflection can alter me. I am sorry if I have given you pa-- but it was necpssary. For the future, when you come here 1 shall not appear, so that you will have nothing to recall painful memories." " Then I shall come here no longer !" exclaimed Gustav, as he darted down the steps, sprang on his horse, and galloped away as if mad. As Eveleen slowly and sadly entered her own room, the door opened and Mittie came in with her soft steps and softer smile. " Why, Eveleen, what is the matter? what have you done to Mr. Ardenne? He promised uncle to stay for dinner, and in- stead of that, before he is ten minutes talking to you, he flies off as if the gentleman with the cloven foot were after him. What is it all about ? But, instead of replying, Eveleen dropped her head on her false friend's shoulder and burst into tears. " My dear cousin, this is sometliing serious; tell me, darhng," cooed the dove-like tones, " have you quarreled with Gustav ?" "Yes." " What about ? Let me be your confidante, deo.rest Eveleen?" " His father has ordered him to break our engagement—he, like me, is opposed to mixed marriages. Gustav is of age, you Know, and wanted me to marry him without consulting his fa- ther, but " I I »> THE THREE COUSINS. 41 V "But you would not, my dear, high -hearted cousin, is it not 80 ?" " There is no merit in my refusal, Mittie. I could not do it without sin. Please don't speak of it any more, and don't men- tion it to uncle. He might be angry." ** Are you sure Gusty will not tell him ?" said Mittie. " Gustav is not coming here any more," said Eveleen, in a slightly tremulous tone, *♦ so uncle will not discover it." Mittie's black eyes flashed angrily as she half pushed Eveleen away and said : " I rather fancy he will not like your driving young Mr. Ar- denne away from the house ; he is a great favorite of his," said Mittie, coldly. " Dear cousin, how could I help it ?" said Eveleen, with filhng eyes. I am sorry to be the cause of any dissensions be- tween the families. Dear Mittie, what do you think I had bet- ter do ?" " Your best plan will be to confine yourself to your room a» much as possible. Perhaps we can manage to induce Mr. Ar- denne to come l)ack. I will try to keep it from uncle' ears, for I know he wol d be very angry if he discovered it." And, kissing her affectionately, Mittie left the room. But no sooner was she in the passage than the whole expres- sion of her face changed. Her brow grew black, her hands clinched, and she hissed between her teeth : •'The prudish, sstraight-laced little puritan ! Now that she has driven Gustav Ardenne away from'the house, my plans may fail after all. Uncle shall hear of it, but it shall be in my way; and I fancy it will not greatly predispose him in favor of his brother's daughter." She passed down stairs, with her soft, cat-like step, and tapped at the door of her uncle's study. '• Come in," said Captain Hinton. Mittie entered, and found the old gentleman reposing in the- depths of his elbow-chair, smoking his meerschaum. •• Pray, don't stop smoking, uncle," she said, with her sweet- est smile and softest tone. "Don't mind me in the least. I rSither like tobapfo-RTrtrjkp ^.hnr» n^^./iVTsri-^ii " " You're the only sensible girl I ever saw, then," said the 43 THB THBEE COUSINS. captain, vastly pleased ; ** and what brings my little fire-fly hert now. " Sir, I come to plead for my Cousin Eveleen," '• Eveleen, child ! Why, what has she done ?" •* Is it possible you have not heard, sir ?" said Miss Seabright, in well-feigned surprise. " Heard ? Not 1. What awful mystery is coming now?" **My dear uncle, pray do not be angry, but young Mr. Ar- denno is very deeply offended, and has refused to come here any more." " Gusty Ardenne not come here ! Bless my soul !" said the captain in dismay. *♦ Who is the cause of this ?" " I am sorry to say, Eveleen, sir," "And how has she offended him? Pooh! Pooh! Little Eveleen is too gentle and quiet to offend any one — my little 'lit ^ w jay! Mittie bit her lip, but answered calmly : " I have only Miss Hinton's word for it, sir. She told mo she had quarreled with him, and that he had gone away ''n high auger, vowing never to come back. Eveleen seemed so much afraid you would be angry with hor, that I undertook to ploi\d for her, though she does not know it." *' And what business had she quarreling with him, I want to know?" said the captain, in a rage. *' They were lovers, sir, I believe." " They were, eh ? And what was that to quarrel about ?" " Lovers always quarrel, 1 have heard." " Humph ! profitable occupation I And what was the cause of this lovers' quarrel, eh ?" *' Governor Ardenne, though anxious his son should marry one of your nieces, will not permit him to marry Miss Hinton, because she is a Catholic. Mr. Ardenne informed Miss Hinton of hia father, s determination, and this, I believe was the cause of the quarrel, the result of which is they have parted in high anger, and Mr. Ardenne will come back no more.'' " But I say he shall,'' said Captain Hinton, giving his stick an emphatic thump on the floor. ** No puling girl is going to de- prive me of the society of Gusty Ardenne. Miss Eveleen Hinton had better take care ot herself. If she begins to play off any such pranks as this she'll find herself in the wrong box." Wi m > THE THREE COUSINS. 48 *' My dear uncle," said Mittie, hastily, " I hope you will not mention that / told you this. My design was to obtain pardon for Eveleen, for I feared you might be angry with her, and if she heard J told you she might think I did it from malice." •' You'ro p good girl, Mittie, a very good girl," said the cap- tain, pattirg her cheek ; •' the best of the lot I begin to think. Now, I doii't see, Mittie, why yon couldn't get Gusty ; you're the best-looking, eh ?" Miss Seabright cast down her eyes, and tried to blush and look bashful, but the effort proved a failure. •' I'll tell Gusty to come back," said the captain, rising. •• I'll make him come back, and if you don't keep him, why then you're not the clever Ititle girl 1 take you to be. Kun and get my overcoat and I'll be off." Mittie assisted him on with his overcoat, and watched him with a covert sneer, as he strode off in search of Gusty. Two hours after he returned with the young man, who was not at all sorry to be obliged to come back, as he thereby hoped to obtain another interview with Eveleen. But Eveleen, by the advice of Mittie, did not descend to dinner that day, and Miss Seabright, elegantly dressed, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes bright with triumph, took her place at the head of the table, and during the meal exerted every art of which site was mistress to fascinate Gusty Ardenne. It was hardly in human power to resist the fascinating siren, and before he departed she had the pleasure of seeing that Eveleen was apparently forgotten, and he had eyes and ears for her alone. But once out of the magic influence of her brilliant eyes, and ft till more brilliant smiles, the glamour faded away, and the calm, sweet face of Eveleen rose up reproachfully bofore him, and in the exciting intoxication Mittie was forgotten for her gentler cousin. But Mittie Seabright, standing in the veranda watching him as he rode away, dreamed not of this as she exultantly mur- mured : ** The Fates favor me ! so far all has gone well. Harry will find I am a true prophet ; in two months from this I will be Mrs. Gustav Ardenne, with wealth enough at my command to sati y even my highest ambition. So, dainty Cousin Eveleen, look d yourself." 44 THE THREE COUSINS. ! TJ ^r"\ J-^^^ ^^^ ^^^'^^ ^"'^^y became a constant visitor at Hinton Hall. Mittie always received and entertained him, for Joe was generally galloping over the country, or else up in her Cousin liiveleen s room, which the latter rarely left. Joe was highly mdignant at the coolness with which the captain treated Eve- leen, and took to rating him for it so soundly one day that that gallant officer unceremoniously took her by the shoulder and landed her out of the room. But toward Mittie she was posi- tively savage, and incessantly ranted and scolded about her meanness in - taking Cousin Ev's beau from her,' as she phrased It. io all these reproaches Mittie hstened with a quiet smile, treating both scolder and scolding with silent contempt. But Eveleen, most deeply wronged of all, uttered no com- plaint or reproach, though day by day her cheek grew paler and thinner and her slight form and gentle brow more frail and spirituelle. Often, when Joe would commence some violent tirade against Mittie's abominable conduct, Eveleen would gently endeavor to defend her, thereby so deeply disgusting Miss Dent that she would flounce out of the room in a towering passion. But still heavier trials were in store for Eveleen. Of late the captain had begun to miss sundry sums of money. He usually kept a considerable amount in a bureau in his bed- room, and for some time past various sums liad been missing. Who the thief was, notwithstanding all his vigilance, he could not discover. It will be remembered that Mittie's chamber was next to Eve- leen s, the two apartments being separated by a partition so thin that every motion made in one could be distinctly heard in the other. Eveleen passed many long and sleepless nights now, sit- ting by the window with her sad young face bent on her hand, and more than once she had been startled about midnight by hearing Mittio's door softly open, then a sliglit rustling of gar- ments, and lastly a swift, light step gliding down-stairs. She knew it was Mittie— that velvety foot-step could belong to no one else. But what could induce her to leave her room at that hour ? At first Eveleen fancied she might have gone for something she wanted, but as upwards of an hour passed on these occasion* belore she returned, this explanation did not seem satisfactory. And what was still more mysterious was that invariably alter J THE THREE COUSINS, 46 i A each of these nocturnal expeditions Captain Hinton would dis- cover he had again been robbed. *♦ Could it be possible that Mittie— but no, no !" exclaimed Eveleen, banishing indignantly the thought, "it is impossible." Eveleen had mentioned her discovery to no one ; for, in the first place, it might have involved Mittie in trouble, and in the second, she shrank from the idea of appearing like a spy on her cousin. She would have spoken of her discovery to Mittie her- self, but Miss Seabright had treated her very coldly and reserv- edly of late, though Eveleen knew of no reason she had given her to do so. Matters were in this unsatisfactory state when one night, at the appointed hour, she heard Mittie's door cautiously open, and then a hght, gliding step descending the stairs. For the first time came the thought that Mittie might be a sleep-walker, and this would account for all. Impetuously Eveleen rose up from the window at which she was sitting, aud throwing her mantle over her shoulders, she softly followed Mittie down the stairs. As she reached the foot, she caught the last flutter of her dress as she entered the parlor, her little, straight, lithe figure dimly revealed in the soft, misty May moonlight. Eveleen saw her enter her uncle's bed-room, which opeiK d off this parlor. Opposite the door stood the bu- reau containing the captain's money. Speechless with amazement and horror, Eveleen saw her take a key from her bosom, coolly unlock a small drawer, take out a roll of bills, thrust them in her pocket, relock the drawer, and then glide swiftly and silently out through the side-door open- ing into the yard. The thief was now. discovered, but where had Mittie gone? Curiosity, of which, being a female, Eveleen possessed her share, was now aroused, and, cautiously entering her uncle's room, she too passed out through the side-door. By the old man's loud snoring she knew he was sound asleep, and there was little fear of her being detected. As she gained the yard she paused and looked around. Down at the farther end, under the shade of an old elm, dimly seen in fnn now mr»rknlinrlif tTron A/Ti+^-jz-v l»/-i-». 1/-k«-./^ Ut^ ,.1. 1._:— _i ,r.i-_- ^••:^,j jii-^.-.-iiii^iiv, TT-to iTXittic, iici iv^'i^o uiiiuii. iiUiii" ai/reauiing wildly over her shoulders. By her side was the tall, dark figure of a man, wrapped in a long cloak, and wearing a slouched hat 46 THE TIIHEE COUSINS. 11 far do^^n over IHh brow.. Both seemed to be earnestly convert as fliic giuod. Altoi- 11,0 lapse of about ton minutes slic saw tim ma., ^ turu away, aud sl.e caught his last .oraTsXTlnl " Thank yon, Mittio ; pon my honor I'm ahiinc;f A\cr.r..r.A , ^envy this Ardeune iellow^he clever mJV^t^:^:^; t . Mittio's reply she could not catch ; but she licard the „n,-,.|, imperious tone in whicli it was spoken, and ^i beLo she could turn, she saw the girl's light foi-m approaching .udwi«t an impulse of dread she opened the door to return But the keen bright eye of Mittio had discovered her She felt her ami clutched in a steely grip, and a pair of blaik > '• Not one word, not one syllable. You cannot exonerate your- self from the charge without lying, and I do not wish to add to your degredation. You will oblige me by going to your room. Miss Hinton, and remaining there as much as possible for the future." He took her by the arm, and, with cold politeness, escorted her from the room to the foot of the stairs, and then returning to the parlor, he locked the door, while Eveleen fled wildly up- stairs to her own room. Once there, she threw herself on her bed in a wild, passionate burst of weeping ; hot, bitter, scalding tears of shame and humiliation. Accused of stealing—believed to be a thief by one who had done so much for her, whose good opinion she valued so highly. Oh! itwa^^ ' much, too much! And Eveleen wept long and passio! oly. At last exhausted nature grew calm, and then came a quieter mood. Falling on hw knees, she invoked help and protection from the Father of the fatherless, and thus consoled and strengthened, slie resolved on a plan of action. Siie knew her uncle, stubborn in his determination, would listen to no ex- planation, .lit she resolved to see Mittie, and implore her to free her from his unjust suspicions. Pleading a headache as an excuse for absenting herself from breakfast, Eveleen remained in her room, and when Joe came HD to see her. after thfi movninor mnol ai^^ /I/^o;^.^.^ v> — i.^ j Miss Seabnght up to her. ii 48 THE THREE COUSINS. I So thorough taken •• aWk' • f.""' ''^"^-^^^''^ ? " Eveleenatthisoehandwavofil.- T-* "'^'l'""*' term, was «yes on the dirk bS S hL^ f *"•"""'' *'^'" »^-« ^''edher that beautiful mask no hfriC '^ k '*'^'' *'»'''=<'• »"' '» polite expectation! ^ ""^ ''^''•* *"" 8'''^««f"' ^ase and Hintt7it^i"f'rnir '''^',{,«\--"e ^^ger, but smarting she answe^fd pas'sTonatei; """'' '"'^ "''^ * ""'« '°° '""•'l^. ''"d iik:^"':ftta\:pS itTtiS^^? h-" -^^ ''"^*^"' look me in the face after- Smght'"'^ °"' """ ^''-^ ^^'^^ brow^t tl%tr°pnsf " t'r^'^*- ^'■'!'""f '^ J^"^ eye- loss to understand vn,?fl ?! ' ^ dear cousm, I am really at a night ? ""''''''*°<* yo" ""« '"orn-ng. Pray, «,A«t happened last the' fndig'n'^^t'EtS "'^ Iv^T" t V^'^^'^u" ^^'-^d memory of vonr vi,;f m :., , . ^''™"'' '"""'^ banished all terview with a^In n H^ ""/'") '■°°'"- "^ y°«- midnight in Tell me has aU , , ,t' ^f*' °^ ^°f '"^^*'"g ^i"' me aftei ? memory? " ^ '^" ^'^'^•^^' ^^''^P^d your wonderfully short would advise you^o go imCdlat^t tedXTsl^roff the^e fan.es,- sa.d M.ss Seabnght. Lning St^letTthe ^^Eveleen sprang between her and the door and interrupted not go tai you ri^'i^:^i^^:s^^irij: !°? it' .... money nom my uncle last night'. You know you did.lo;^ THE THREE COUSINS. 49 y you would deny it now. I am blamed for it, and you mm free me from the unjust suspicion." What a contrast they formed ! Eveleen flushed, indignant, ex- cited; Mittie cool, collected, and composed. " '* This is rather strange language, Miss Hinton. / steal money last night. Be careful how you talk, my dear cousin." " Mittie ! Mittie! Mittie! for Heaven's sake ^^^'Eveleen's yoice.failed, and covering her face with her hands she wept as if her heart would break. Miss Seabright, graceful and self-possessed, arose and laid her hand on the handle of the door. '* This is rather singular, Miss Hinton, unless, indeed, you are practicmg private theatricals," said Mittie, with a cold sneer. "As I have almost a masculine horror of scenes, and Mr. Ar- denne is waiting down-stairs to take me out drivinf', allow me to wish you good-morning." ° And with a jeering smile, curling her beautiful lip, Mittie Sea- bright bowed gracefully, and swept from the room. " 0, Heavenly Father, help me ! Mother Mary, pity me '" wept poor Eveleen, falling on her knees in the depth of her bit- ter sorrow, '* for my cross is heavier than I can bear." And then, like a strain of sweet music heard in the lull of a tempest, rose a low, soft musical voice, breathing the words " Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted " and Eveleen lifted up her grief-bowed young head in holy awe, and paused to listen, but she was alone in the room, with the soft May wind and streaming sunshine. The odor of flowers came wafted through the open casement; the exulting songs of the birds chanting their morning Te Doum to the Author of all good gifts filled the air with brilliant melody. The peace of tbo scene stole into Eveleen's heart, calming the wild tumult of grief and indignation, and bowing her face in her clasped hands, she meekly murmured : " Not my will, Father! but thine be done. Sweet Mother Mary, give me strength to bear my cross patiently to the end." That was Eveleen's last struggle, and her better angel obtained the victory. Onif»,k f.p.a.rs ivnnlrl fill l»ov avaa aa aUn r,r^,-^ i i-»_ i -i , ., v^-_,. „.o oiic rsaw iiUi UUCitJ S COia, contemptuous gaze, and a sudden flush would stain her pearly cheek beneath the deriding mockery of Mittie's black eyes, but 50 THE THKEE COUSINS. if no complaint or reproach passed her gentle lips now. Joe, too and Gusty Ardenne had giwn very cold and reserved towards lor the captain had dropped sundry mysterious hints of some hidden crime she had been guilty of that degraded her be- neath their notice, and these embers Mittie had taken such good care to fan and keep alive that they forced back the rising pity they felt as they watched her slight drooping form and pale young face, that grew paler and wanner every day, and turned resolutely away and hardened their hearts to the pleading gaze of those sad, wistful, steeled eyes. And so the last gleam of earthly sunshine was fading away from Ji^veleen s sky; but, folding her meek arms, she sweetly kissed the rod that smote her. Evening after evening found her now m the shadowy old cathedral of P , and, save to go there and come down to her meals, she rarely left her room. So the sweet spring-time passed, and the summer roses began to bloom, and with it came the most terrific pestilence, the most liorrible of all horrible plagues—the loathsome small-pox. All 1 T7^^^® ^^ consternation, for the pest came in its most viru- Ir ??V and scores were dying weekly. Every one who was able tied from the doomed towns, and among the rest Captain Hinton prepared to go, for neither he nor his neices had ever had 14, and Mittie, dreading the loss of her beauty, had an unspeak- able and deadly horror of it. But, as often happens, that very dread brought it on. rr > j The night before that fixed for their departure she complained ot an intense pain in the back and a blinding headache. Mrs Colter observed with alarm that these symptoms were, in many instances, the first symptoms of the terrible disease ; but Mittie vehemently scouted the idea, and asserted that a good night'a rest was all she needed to make her quite well again, and that she would be perfectly able to leave P in the morning. But when morning came Mittie Seabright lay tossing in the wild dehrium of burning fever. A doctor was sent for, who pro- nounced the disease small-pox of the most malignant kind, and then horror and consternation spread through the household. Every servant, from Mrs. Colter downwards, fled from the lazar- house; and the captain, who had himself a mortal dread of the iioinble disease, shuddered from head to foot. " What is to be done ?" was the first trembling question. THE THREE COUSINS. 51 •* Obtain a nurse for your neice, if you can get one— which I Tery much doubt — and leave liere immediately with your other two neices," said the doctor. •' Where can I procure a nurse ?" inquired the captain. " I haven't the remotest idea," said the doctor. '♦ What be- tween the hospital and all, a nurse is worth her weight in eoW about this time." ^ ^ A hand was lightly laid on the doctor's arm. He looked down and saw a pale young face, with soft, pleading eyes. " " Oh doctor ! may I nurse her ? I am strong and well, and I will be so watchful," pleaded Eveleen. " You, child !" said the amazed doctor. " You ^ever had the small-pox ?" . •' No, sir." "Well, are you not afraid of catching it and having your beauty spoiled ?" he said with a smile, She lifted her eyes to his face, and the smile died away ** You may take it and die, young lady," said the doctor gravely. ' ** X am not afraid of it, and it does not matter " If I do die she would have said, but her voice choked, and she stopped. ' "But, Evpleen, I don't know what to make of this; 'pon my life I don'^ f>aid Captain Hinton, more thoroughly surprised than he had over been before in the whole course of his life " Dear uncle, do not object. I am not afraid of the small- pox; and even if I were, I could not leave Mittie with a nurse of any kind m her dangerous illness. Take Josephine away and let me remain," she said, gently. " An' luff me stay long o' you, Miss Heavyling, honey," saiu the voice of old black Aunt llammy. - I'se had de dretted infunnelly small-pox myself, as all dese ver holes and carved work in my face testerfies, and I ain't afeard of it dis time no- kow. All dese yer cow'dly white niggers hab gone and runned away, and I, Miss Joe " •♦ Oh ! stay, by all means. Aunt Rammy," said Joe, who entered, paler and quieter than was her wont. " I can do very well with- out you. But indeed, Eveleen, I had no idea you would stay • I" rJT»-fclr r\¥ As^ xxi. e sailor's wife w,th wllomlliveT^ Th^i^T gyp,;, ..,».„, p,„.. i „„. ^rirriC'.,:-,': "Well, ten years passed on : then I learned i\,«t T l,„^ ■ i uncle and was <»oinD- to >,<> „ i„j '^"''" ^ Jtainca tnat I had a rich nature, and reso ved n,»t fl ^^ •*? ""f' '^'^''y^ ambitious by all clue to"V wt.tboul for 7f ''''°'?, \"^'^'* ^1'°"''' '°^« would hardl/approve of mv ^ f^ * - "^ * '*' ""^ "^^ ^-^'^ti^^ w ,Mo ii. 1,1' .TS 'le; il' "St tT'"' "'• ■:''* and fpU mv m,-«^ + i^once uie mglit before coming here out if" ?L™li^' ^ase concerning them. But I was sLhtlv ■' — — b. it seemea, ior one day your son, Governor > f ~» THE THUIiE COUSINS. 57- Ardenne, came liere and told me lie had met a vounK man on tlm road who desued him to ask me. ' Uo,v nun,, ),oL f '/ JZ „ ' ' This was a sort of pass-word with the gang, by wliich 'tl ev i» covered their friends from their foes%„^d by tW and t fe de «7wC;abrtf *"^' '"^ ''"^'"'"'' ^""^ --^'^ -"> '>~«d w„» if ^°A f f°^f- '^''^' '"«''* ^ ^'°1« «"t ''"d met him and Ply of monev" 7. '""''^ ''^ '.'"^ P'"'"'^'' "*' '^ «™'«tant Cp ply of money. This money I easily stole from uncle by mean.. of false keys-a trick of my old trade-and one ni^UEyS following me, was discovered by my uncle in Km v,,n.., „„i suspected of.being the thief, ^ou ca^!! 1 him ge Zm", tZt his dutiful niece Mrs. Hale, n., Mittie Seabright a" chared her fame in her last dying speech and confession." bhe had spoken m a rapid, reckless manner hitherto but her vivTd and 4nt on " '°"*"' 'P^^'^' " ^-^^om^e, and she re- " That is act of justice number one. Now for numbe,- twn which will be interesting to ,,.,u. Governor Ar-denne ' ^..^rTT^ "t'"'*"'' "' ""^ *'*'''«« ™s an old sailor called Jack Ardenne. I was a great favorite of his somehow and nn^ day, observing a great scar over his left temple, I SC^ C he got 1 . and in reply he related the foUowhig story callP^'T^i'n. '■'"''J"i''"^ '",'"« '"'y^'°'"l i° a village in Maine an Stion loZ7^^ ^"■' ^°, "^^""^ '"^ brother entertained an anection, excited his rage almost to madness Hiq hi-ntl,»^ had a strong stick in his hand, and in his bhndLe he track o^Teg^nnr"'^ '^^' "'^' ''''•»"- bleedinrf^dtiS «hLiT\ ^''^"'"''l said his next recollection was beimf on knowmgjvhat else to do with liim. had carr,„ " !?!J 'I'll"'' ...V".' S 8„'^on*t"f ''''"'' "^ ". «t™"8 con-stituiionTird'Vhe Bnip s surgeon he soon recovered, and before that voyage was il 58 THE THREE COUSINS. over took such a fancy to life on shipboard that ho resolved to become a sailor That resolution he kept and for many yearg was absent from America. ^ ^ ''When he returned he made some inquiries concerning his brother and learned that during the years he had been serving before the mast his brother had risen so rapidly in the political profession he had chosen that, after being sent to Congi-ess, he had been elected Governor of P . Jack Ardenne, who ^as. thnly ^"'/^f ^ kind-hearted, had long ago forgiven his brother the blow he had so richly merited, and rejoiced to hear of his prosperity Thinking it would not be very flattering to his bro- ther s pride to find him a rough, tarry salt, he resolved not to visit him, and to spare him the humiliation of being obhged to Ta- ?i- . ^''''^ ^^^ ^^^ ^'^^'■y '^^^k Ardenne told me, langhiugly adding that he supposed his brother, the governor, still fancied himnelf guilty of his murder. I had nearly forgotten the cir- cumstance when your name. Governor Ardenne, together with your resemblance to him, convinced me that you and the brother he spoke of were one and the same person. I instantly saw how 1 could use the circumstance to my own advantage— with what succe_Rs you already know. Working upon your fears of discov- ery, i persuaded you to break off the match between Eveleen Hiiiton and your son, whom I intended some day to marry my- self. The trifling drawback of having another husband still living might have made some girls hesitate, but I was never one to stop for trifles when they stood in the way of my ambition. li I have failed, it is not my fault. Life is ending rapidly for me, and one dying pang will be spared me in lifting the con- sciousness of crime from the soul of another. I have a lonir enough account to settle for without that." Her dark face worked convulsively, and the gray shadow of oommg death fell darkly upon it. A joy-an inte/se thankful- ness, too deep for words-filled the eyes and lighted up the face ol Governor Ardenne. But the dread Presence restrained all exclltm ^®^^"^^''^^'^"' ^"^y ^« clasped his hands and fervently "Thank God!" "It is growing so dark— so dark," said the dying girl, with a shudder, ''and so cold. Am T .ivi..^ ^^..^..o"^ nu. t' _ ? 4 THE THREE COUSINS. 59 die ! I will not die! " slie uried, starting up with sudden wild- ness ; '♦ it is too dark there. doctor ! I am not dyin^r, am l>" bhe put out her hands in vague aflfright, that thrilled throui?h €very heart. * ♦'You have not ten minutes to live," said the doctor, sol- emnly. With a long, low, wailing cry, that echoed through the lonely House, her raised hand dropped on the bed, and her lar<'e dark eyes— unnaturally large and dark now— went straining around the room, in the vaiii effort to see. Mittie Seabright had been struck with sudden blindness. Trembling at this ghastly death-scene, Eveleen knelt by the bedside with her face hidden in her hands, unable to bear the dreadful sight. " i will not go! help! help !" she said, with another passionate cry as she lifted her arms in wild horror as if to hold some in- visible bemg off. - Eveleen is there with her pale face, mock- ing me now ! Help ! help I my God ! It is too late !" Her arms fell. With that last terrific cry, endincr in a pro- longed shriek of wildest woe. her dark spirit fled, to s'taud before the judgment seat of God. T^Pl^® ^^ ^1°^^ •" ^^'^ ^^^® doctor, in low, solemn tones, as he litted his pale face in awe. " Poor, poor girl !" ;♦ And Miss Hinton has fainted," said the governor, as he raised the white, still form that lay senseless on the floor. " This dark death scene has been too much for her already weakened nerves." ♦' Take her into another room," said the doctor, risin^^ • " a httle water is all that is required. I will ring for the ne^ress to come and prepare the corpse for the grave. Among all the scenes of death I have witnessed I have never beheld anything to surpass this. Ho young and so inured to crime ! Poor ooor girl !" ^ 60 THE THREE COUSINS. CHAPTER Vin. THE T W O « RIDE 8. 1^1 It i^\«,*^^*«*- «ow they stand, -^."ebridefjroom and the bride- Aud who shall tell what lovers fee m this thf'ir hour of pride " Bpirit hovered betweoriife and deatli *>' ""' "'"'' ''«' P"^« to press her throbWu?, brow "" I^ '?' ' "''''"' ''""'^ ^"^ "^'"• and eon,iort; no StstTi^r tf&^t'^t T "' ^* angel's, as lier own had once done on MiHi^ni i " ^'"'"y bnt tlie faithful, honest hlm.]'''" ^ »° one only to " Miss Joc°" It «,.■,"*''' "^ "^''^' '""'^^ '"'°'"' deune came somethne, h ,f fi ' " '''"='°'' ''■"' Governor Ar- face 1« theT.r«lorteX;.^ si^Sf ""■"''"■^ mot' BroJrr;fot''^Ll'er.''^so'f "^^Ir-^^^^^^^^ -e momentary wildncss wl „, ^t 7^? "''"T"'^ "'*' she started in thought oi^If prt4 I Z,m,Lr' ^r/>"-/lt««d ^ce. she known her na offi d^av S f H^ 'T^ "', "" *''"«« ^i^" ^ad gust of Gusty Ardenne ^and W i'j'i' °* "'-^ ">''"' '*"o disease ra'-'l h U ami o^^ll"""" "'"T ""^ Po^flwolt. and soul, to the "Jood wmk „., h i^"" 't!^ '""'"'"■ "V' '""'«•' sleepless niKlits IW min LtVi k '''° /'''!"""'• «"'''• ">• '"»«. too, for tho"wks "riove w thX,^'^ "" "^^" """^ol'^'on vent prayers that ascended ft r,r.w" T" «'••-'<""''• t'"' fe"-- heart^more tl an repa d hex foril'^i "^ ^T" !"?"^ " «™""'»' Despite l.er altered freFv^l„„li " '"'^"'''"^ '^"'' "'«"• ""ke. hearts to love lie, sWl '""'' '"""y- ^"^'-^ '"""y. "•«<■ MS:i",":"eo;;fesl.!'°:"d'ri'''"'' ''y,«»~- A.-denno of leen was 'he cor/Zncc' ""ft ti^'WnPr'"?,"""' '"""'• '» ^^^^O" called her " un«,,}lll„T'i ".'"'^""'"l W'"' P'-^'ses of what ho which Evelee reid wIh 'T"7' ^"" .""We-hearted conduct." whatheco-Udsees^Irvrlnr^K^ ™"' ^"'' ^°"^«™<1 dredsofheroicTo.^^rdY/rSlTv^VXr"'*"''''^''''"^ to "S- ^ri'^^^y^t .:, ,l!"^ r.i"iz: :k''' 'r "'""^-''^ an end forever, and if anv i . .l,t f ""*" ''"'^ ^''^ »' stood before ife glass and ;:„ if ""-.P^'' ^^'' "•"''« «''« changed face there^iXted ^ ''"''"^ "' ^'"^ '^^ ""= lootelS-:!,' vtt sTeadl^-ftt ^""^'^•/''t '^-'"'o'^ herself: sceaauj in the face, and whispered to ''You must not be nonsensical, Eveleen CmA l.oa u good to you, and if He has deprived you o^ tt^Jift 1?/^ stowed upon vou onfp will v^m k^ ^ . . . ^'" ^^ he- All the sweet dr~™ud—/.° ""S'-^te/il as to murmur, for affection like thTs is deiWedion f ' '""'^''' ^''"'" "P "<"^- allotted you • perform it « iTlf 1?'^^""'; ^°"'' *''* '"'^ been your reward ." ' ^ ''^'"'" "'" ^^-^ ""'"es you will have >vuu tue absence ot the sickness ceased the greater part of 62 THE THKEE COUSINS. -ptS :4tg™thof ^.r" '^''T,""'^^ "''-^ " '^*'- from the and cl^erfulS „n«l''rp i"^^',^» '""^''^ '^'^y- l^"^ bright like a stray sSam in tl i Lnni ''"'^^or" declared she was At which Eve.eeriTuS.ed;nri.";:d1,e7a'd fluted"" '" T'I' and up and down the brna/l r.ni,v v V . '• , ^**^^ "^ ^^^ out, wa?ciXTtre''/a;r4'ti,%rerat^!:r'r -i^"^ ^^ shrink in terror from tL thou'rf nJ H /7 f ""'""'^ ^lie would too, would pass, and she wouW 'be Sr Ooll^rt'"^ ' 'l!' ""=' once more. ^^um oe mis. bolters ** sunbeam '" looted fof '1: sTe^od in ur. '''Z ''""' *? '"° ^ ^--^ly whose loud throbbinf.s^iw „ fJ", '""f *^'^»' ^'"^ " I'eart held out herW to tJ'e "»"*»* ''^'' ^^''''° '° ^''«°'=« witness the l^k of proLnd «h; T' .^"f"?? *° ''^' ''^^ «y«= to But she need not Lve fcared "^ W t" t'^ ^-^^ ^^^ """«' ^'^^■ ened look of comm sernHon w„ "f"^ ''■'*'' ""** ^''^t moist- of deepest respea S reve«ncT\° fff^f^t^t admiration, plight, girlish figure as a superior beL n ^""^'^ -."P"" """ ing, but the crushing pressureTp „.!i !l ]\T\ " ','^'°* ^reet- pered " God bless vm, mt?),fu ?.^ ^1'',® ''*"'' '"'"<'• '"^ whis- W for the sorrowM pa7 ' '•^P'^''^ ''«>•, more than repaid on^of 1^'fowfcrshmf hur'" f'T "f ^^'''^^^'^ -«« -th and who conlfdered her S Tn ' 1 ' \''^*^°''gW have envied, overwhelm her wfth kisses aU at M,^"^ ""^ '''^•'"'^ '""^ '''"1 laughing and Imlf strZ^d "xtr catedT '"ff- »°'",^^«*««"' and Joe flew oflfto greet hroirn.Z r?'" i"?"" her arms, her Bit •ga"rn?,„^,f :;••«• -I'" 'af entered with them, Xd by and red bfneathWs gaTwi h?vi7,T^,^' *^''* ^rew white l„„. "'" o'"'®' -V'tu eyes full of deeDent rov«,<.„„„ —j i THE THBEE COUSINS. " i^veleen, Eveleen ! am I forgiven 9" i,^ „ i ^ • whisper. lorgiven .'' he asked, m a thrilling in hi?'° ' ""^ y*' '^"P" f- «- -J-r hand." L said, takn.g it " Mock you, Eveleen ?" l,e said, reproSlW .?7< u generous girl, far more tban ev;r KeT l7 ' *^''' '"'^^*' obstacles to our marriafff, nrl ft! ? '°^® y°" "o^- AU never objected to our uS a^vnn ^'""^ ''Vf," "'"'• ^^ &"'«>• and since he has learned of ;ou/°rif! ''°«''^^^^^ t'vely commands me to w n "V fn pa 1 of"f ' " '"'P"^'" mydariingupeau; when ma^^JCpe'C SL'l^ireTS"' " and lift your head and smile '• ^" ""^ ^'P'' '*'«'» "'^^y- voi;«o"f^i':i'L7a^rat triniLt ^••tt&rs^^ t suppose, eh, you handsome dog"' ■ ^°"*- "^"^ ''g'"' ^ i.;ti'??o'4t;ti«:t^^^^^^^^^^^^ *^- •»-- married man." ^^^-uwier month i 11 b^ a respectable Two weeks after the ereat onfho/^».ai ^/ tion, she whisDGrftd io F..,.iL^ A". " !^^ ?^^®y ^^^ an explana- •h. part of a princrpal in a rmi.r^rem^^^r rr ,X! «4 THE THREE COUSINS. For two years Henry Fairfax, a young Vir^^inisn h«A K„=- j her heart, and at last slie had capitulafed ° ' ^^ '""'^"'^- for a sliglU drawback, when li tie &;,?!! f- ''''PP^-'*^* his gouty foot -lives withTh^ wtt" tVovert'S: Zr? «are o good Mrs. Colter. Au,;t Rammy s«Il hve with" S a^nTwltf VattTd^"'^ "^ ''''''^''^' POuKener^! Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax often visit Hinton Hall anrl uHh^ u THE END. # besieged not quit istav has into his ?y — save •amps on notherly b '* Miss merally, Ithough ^veleen, y in her w i