Show cousin ben beli visitors exclaimed kate bennett impatiently y es ps she elie hild laid aside the book she site bad been reading and in which bhe the had bad been deeply interested and took the cards kiich which tile the servant presented deir me how p provoking just as I 1 am in the most int interesting part of tile the story and that pert disagree disagreeable able ahle emily emliy archer too she added read lug one of the cards who else I 1 wonder was there magic in that simple bit of paste board inscribed only with two words richard warren it would truly almost seem so so instantaneously did her countenance change tile the frown that disfigured her tier beautiful brow d disappeared asap her tier eyes sparkled and without another thought it of the book she hastily assured herself by a glauce at the mirror that her toilet was unexceptionable and left the room As sue suo entered tile the drawing room and greeted her gu guss gust sq with all fh that grace and elegance of manner tor for which she was dist distinguished anguished ngui ngul shed emily archer surveyed her with one critical glance but dress hs well as manner was faultless it must be confessed that kate dennett bennett enters a room like a queen she thought with a pang of envy and jea joa jealousy lousy lonsy as in richard warrens face ace slie site read undisguised pulsed admiration admi edmi ration of the lo 10 lovely el girl before bhore them what crual observer who had bad marked the of these two ladies would have dreamed that under all their outward friendliness eich each h ted led the other with her tier whole heart yet so it was kate and emily were rival belles and tapir claims to admiration were so equally balanced alced that it required no little exertion on either side flae to gain the ascendancy and be acknowledged tile tiie vi tor if kate with her classic features queenly dignity elegant figure and exquisite taste at first sight threw her tier rival in the shade emiles piquant style and sprightly y conversation were by many prA preferred erred to kates statuesque beauty it was impossible to decide which was the loveliest each irid hid her tier adherents and admirers but as they were equally numerous it seemed probable that the th a season would draw to a close without the all important decision of orthe the question which had been par excellence the bele just at this time richard warren returned from europe the arrival of so undeniably elegant handsome and wealthy a gentleman was an event all the fashionable world was m a flutter and the rivals saw at once that the important epoch had arrived she whose claims he lie advocated she whom lie he favored with his admiration would at once stand upon apon the precarious pinnacle of belle shiri though their tactics were entirely different emily brought to bear on him the batteries 0 of f her sprightly wit e kate adroitly laid the minor apparent queenly indifference As yet though it was evident that richard admired both his preference was not known perhaps he be hardly knew himself which one he thought the most charming but during this exposition of the claims of the rivals a lively conversation had been going on the tile last diw new novel and the opera had been discussed as well as some of their mutual friends and in the midst mast of some wickedly witty remarks of emily upon a would be fashionable lady a loud voice was heard in the hall it came nearer the door and the words could be distinctly understood you no brained impudent jackanapes jack napes ill teach you manners ill make you laugh on lother side of your mouth the door flung open add arid in n walked a tall athletic young man whose really fine form disguised in an ill fitting filling suit of evidently domestic manufacture and stood for a moment awkwardly looking around him then hastily lias ilas tily approaching adte kate he flung ung his arms around her tier and gave her aloud a loud smack on the cheek she withdrew herself quickly and haughtily from rom liis his embrace sir she said with freezing dignity dig nily law dont ye know who I 1 be exclaimed tiie the new comer coiner in id no mise wise ise lse disconcerted wat wal now I 1 do actually believe youve you ve forgot me dont yer know yer cousin ben bell yer see I 1 dont like farmin farm iii no how flow you can call fix it so ive quit that and come to the tiie city jim simpson was down to our place and hes lies doin doln fust rate here lie ile said dreadful hard liard to get a start in the city but I 1 guess lie lle aint a colu golu to slump through where alsere lie gets gels ahead ill reek it any how 1 at the tiie commencement of this speech kate had alternately flushed and paled for she was deeply mortified that richard mchard warren aud and emily archer sho should ild iid have been the witnesses of such a scene slie site caught a triumphant glince glance from emily it restored her tier pride with all the grace of which she was mistress she turned to the new comer I 1 you must excuse me cousin ben den said she that I 1 had forgotten you A few years make the change and I 1 can hardly retrace in your countenance a feature that reminds me of tile the lad who went nutting with me in the dear old woods of hampton allow me miss bliss archer she added turning to her to present you my cousin arns mr warren mr adams and with perfect composure frh kiesaw esaw his awkward bow and scrape emily archer at once commenced a conversation with mr adams and was proceeding to draw him out most ludicrously when kate came to tile the rescue you forget miss archer said she that my cousin has but just arrived in town au and has not yet had an opportunity to see the lions ile he will be better able toive tolve you his lu s opinion of them in a few days when I 1 shall have the pleasure of acting as li it s cicerone mr warren like a well bred gentleman as he lie was addressed some remarks to mr adams adami on subjects with which lie he was acquainted and shortly after he with miss archer took his leave kate could have cried with vexation as she of the sarcastic and ludicrous description of the scene which emma would delight in giving but she controlled herself she was a kind hearted girl and could not forget the visits she had lind paid iier lier dear uncle and aunt adams or bens untiring efforts to make her tier happy at his hia fathers houe she resolved to repay him now and her graciousness of manner quite fascinated poor ben as she made all sorts of inquiries about the old ald farm no sooner had richard warren with miss aliss archer left the house titan she began with willi all ail lier tier power of sar as kate had foreseen to ridicule the scene they had witnessed mr warren smiled but seemed absent 11 1 I had no idea that the bennetts had such vulgar relations continued emily well weli knowing that the fastidious richard warren would consider this a serious objection to lle ile lie tile woman of his choice all kate bennetts elegance there is a certain something about tile tiie family that betrays low blood yes i returned warren hardly knowing what lie he said and ald feeling that she had gained one point emily walked on in the best po possible sEible spirits tsy fh I 1 n eternally ter nally triumphing over the discomfiture of her rival that evening eveni ngat at the opera who wiio should be at kates side but cousin ben dressed in elegant taste and evidently much interested in the perform ange ance while miss aliss bennett listened with polite attention to his frank and sensible criticisms at parties too lie was lier her regular atten attendant danti and this open ac of her relation quite blunted the point of emiles satires mr bennett assisted ile the youth to a situation and very speedily his ma rustica wore ole olt ile he had both good looks and sense under his cousins judicious training lie he very s soon oon did her no discredit even amody among 11 the crowd of fine gentlemen that surrounded her tier emily archer sawall saw all and bit her lio 14 in dexa j tion lion she could but acknowledge the superiority 1 of kates rates strategy and had bad triumphed in the event which sho she had hoped would liti humiliate her tier from that time tima richard warren was her contant s attendant and ere long he had openly acknowledged his preference by of offering fiering her tier his heart and hand my dear kate he said shortly after their betrothal trot hali 1 I I shall never cease to thank cousin be ben ll 11 for giving me my bride I 1 admired you as a belle but his coming and your reception of him proved that you were something better than a mere fine lady that you were a true woman blessed with the greatest of all attractions a heart hearl Con confess confers fess fets dearest that you owe him a debt of gratitude also that you are as happy liappa as I 1 am i hate kate smiled one of her most bewitching smiles 11 1 I certainly do not look upon his mal apropos as a misfortune at the present she said whatever I 1 may do in the future her glance of loving confidence contradicted her tier last mischievous words and she listened with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks ta the ance of her tier lover that no exertion of his would v ever be wanting to keep her tier from regretting the event which had given him a glimpse into her heart many years had passed in the sober matron BI mrs rs warren one would hardly have recognized the dashing belle kate bennett blessed with wealth a cheerful home a fond husband and lovely children cli cil ildren lidren she had led ek a happy life and time had but increased the attachment of the wedded pair but cloudless a as her herl Is fe hid hud been a storm was gathering her husband always ehe ebe cheerful erful grew moody restless res diess riess aud and unhappy she tried in vain to discover the cause of his gloom but he only made evasive replies to her inquiries and aud she could only guess at his troubles that they were connected with his business she imagined her surmise surmises 8 were correct ile he entered the tiie room one day where she was sitting and exclaimed hlin blin himself seif self on the sofa kate we ae awe ruined in vain I 1 have struggled I 1 for weeks past it is useless to attempt it any longer this day I 1 shall be known cs as a bankrupt penniless and worse than penniless in trying to double my fortune I 1 have llave lost ull all you I 1 and my children are beggars why owhy slocum should loss of wealth trouble you dear richard said sald his wife tenderly taking his bis hand that is after all a trifling misfortune fortu ne while we sire are spared to each other blessed with heart and good children why wily should we repine at the mere mer loss elosa of fortune the husband groaned ali all to be dishonest kate he be said sald gear fear to look men in the face because I 1 am bankrupt u unable nabla to pay my debts kate the very idea drives to avoid this what have I 1 not done I 1 have llave passed sleepless nights and anxious days but all in vain with willi fond caresses and soothing words his wife wire tried Cort rort him but alas he paid little attention to her tier effi efforts orts just then a servant entered saying saving that a gentleman wished to see mr War warren warrell reli rell tell teli him that I 1 cannot replied his master 41 1 I will see nobody but you wili will replied a cheerful voice and a gentleman who closely followed the servant entered how is this my dear dick hs lie said you are in trouble and did not apply I 0 a me that was not right gaud and what use would it have been returned warren if 1 I am eary weary of bor borrowing rovin of one friend to pay another another day after day even that has failed me at last and I 1 have come to hide tilde myself from the prying gaze of those who will too soon be talking of my di digraci dh grace 41 1 I had heard rumors of this dick and went to your office to see yiu yo u and andas as you were not there I 1 followed you here you have two hours yet before bauk bank hours are over here is a blank biank bi ank check fill it up yourself and it shall be duly honored repay at your convenience no thanks it is only a loan I 1 know your business weil well and that in it a little time with perhaps a little assistance all will de fie right again totally overcome richard could only grasp lils liis friends hand while his eyes filled with au an anun un wonted moisture how can call we ever thank you though thought dearest cousin ben rea cried kate kute how delow can we ever repay you tut tat tut tnt kate I 1 am only discharging a part of ii a debt winch which I 1 owe oue you my dear girl I 1 owe all I 1 possess all I 1 am to you when I 1 first came here a raw ignorant country booby you were not ashamed of me me you took me cordi cordially lly liy ily by the hand influenced your father to assist me and more than all by unvarying anvar lag ing kindness offe offering ring me a i home hortie and innocent amusements in your secle secie society ty kept me out of the many temptations that beset a lonely inexperienced lad ad such as without you 5 ou I 1 should have been I 1 thanked you for it then even when I 1 did not appreciate the sacrifice if was in a lady to have a bumpkin like rayfel my roy fei fel air about her tier and when I 1 knew more of the tiie world and understood the rarity of suell such conduct I 1 loved vou the better belter for it and felt tile hie more grateful I 1 had no opportunity to show it before ill in any s substantial form but now you see you are uil ull under uns no obligations I 1 am only getting rid of alit allt a littie little of the heavy load you placed me under long iong bo ago bro 7 be off with you dick and heren hereafter fler fier rely 0 on 11 me in all cases like the present dont get dis discouraged ed so easily business men of or all others should have llave elastic temperaments good bye now lie he added as warren disappeared hissing kissing the tears from eates kales cheek and be assured that den ben adams the millionaire ha has S never forgotten and ivill will try to repay your kindness to your poor and awkward cousin 1 iam 1 lam I am richly repaid she muttered now how little I 1 dreamed long ago that twice in my life I 1 should owe my highest happiness to trilling acts of kindness toward kiy good cousin BEN |