Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 July 1906 — Mrs. Monteith’s Country Cousin [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mrs. Monteith’s Country Cousin

By EDITH M. DOANE

Copi/rlgW, 19oe, by W. R. Caldwell

A little way beyond Sheffield the Pittsfield express stopped in the open country. Jack Austin leaned back In his seat In the drawing room car and gloomily viewed the discouraging vista of mud and driving easterly rain outside. He did not yearn for a week end m the wilds of New England in March, but Monteith's wife had set her heart upon celebrating her husband’s birthday at their country house, so Austin, being fond of Monteith, held his peace and wisely submitted to the inevitable. Mrs. Monteith’s note had not tended to brighten the prospect. My little cousin from the country. Kittle Adams, will be there [the letter ran} and I shall depend upon you as Dick's friend to see that she enjoys herself, as this is her first experience in ‘‘society.’’ Kate Reynolds, the western heiress, whom every one was wild about at Bar Harbor last summer, Is back from Europe and will be here too. All the men are sure to be at her feet, and It Is only because I know your aversion to the modern society belle that I dare ask you to look after Kittle. Cordlajly, DORA MONTEITH. He felt a horrible conviction that he could never stand three days of it, but If the worst came to worst he could be summoned back to. New York by urgent business, and if be must be drag-

ged about the chains of the country cousin were preferable to the golden ones of the heiress. He hardly noticed at first that the train had stopped, but when the stoppage continued and one man after another got up and went out his curiosity was aroused, and he followed them put Into the chilly, drizzling rain. On the track ahead a c mfused black heap was piled up. A freight train had been wrecked, how no one knew. No one was hurt, but it was an awkward business, and there was no saying how soon the rails would be clear.

There was a certain comfort in the thought that each hour added to the journey meant one less with the country cousin. Jack Austin reflected grimly, swinging himself up the steps of the car. dlsgv.st written in the set of his broa 1 shoulders, In every line of his face. Suddenly as he passed down the aisle on his way to his seat a voice exclaimed: “Mr. Austin!” and then, "1 am'sorry to trouble you, but,” anxiously, “will you tell me if there is any danger?” Austin turned, pulled his cap from his head and found himself staring in blank surprise into the face of a tall, dark eyed girl, who eyed him with a mixture of amusement and apprehension. “I—l beg your pardon,” he stammered.

“Is there any danger?” stye repeated anxiously. “Oh, no; none whatever. I hope you were not frightened,” he replied, pulling himself together as well as a man can who Is face to face with a distractIngly pretty girl. “I confess it did startle me.” He stood silent, looking down a£ her. “But of course,” demurely. “I am not frightened now.” “I wonder, if you’d mind telling me," he said irrelevantly, “how you came to know my name?" She laughed, and a wave of color dyed her face a delicious pink. “With the Initials on your bag and a photograph at Mrs. Monteith's—who talks a great deal of Jack Austin—lt was not very difficult to make two and two into four.” A sudden light illuminated Austin's brain. So this charming apparition was the “little country cousin.” He would not have jumped so quickly to his conclusion had he not dimly remembered that Mrs. Mopteith had mentioned her coming on this train. “Other people can make two and two Into four,” he returned radiantly. “I am delighted to meet you, Miss Adams.” It was easy to see that she was tremendously surprised. “How did you know?” she asked and laughed, and then she laughed again. •Telepathy,” he responded. "“I am

great at It Too would be surprised It I told you all I know about you.” “For example?” “That you llvo in a smalt but delightful country town.* “And?” “That you are about to make your first plunge Into that much overrated whirlpool—society;” “Oh,” she said, “how can you telW It la wonderful!” She laughed again, subsiding on her chair In her merriment “If you’ll let me sit down,” he said. ‘Til complete the picture." While he spoke he had taken off his heavy ulster and thrown it over the back of the vacant chair beside her. *1 have heard of you from your cousin, Mrs. Monteith,’’ he said gently. “She told me bow difficult it was to get you away from Hilldale even for Dick’s birthday. Now, that it all wrong.” The thought of all this loveliness wasting unappreciated in Hilldale lent added fervor to his ' voice. “You are bound to have a jolly time at the Monteiths’.” “But it will be so different—from— Hilldale. So many people.” Something perilously close do a smile touched her lips. “You will soon grow accustomed to all that,” tranquilly. “Think how nervous I shall be before I do. The introductions—the first dinners.”

“But I am to take you In to dinner,” he returned contentedly. Truly the fates had been exceedingly kind. She glanced at him swiftly. , “How do you know?” "Mrs. Monteith promised.” “Sure you won’t regret it?” He eyed her reproachfully, and she laughed again. “Do you know the rest of the party?” He mentioned what names he knew. “And the new western heiress,” he added. “Who Is she?” “Miss Reynolds. I doubt if you will care for her. She has had a lot of attention, and I dare say her head has been turned by it.” “Oh!” “I never saw a beautiful heiress yet who was not spoiled,” he said tranquilly. The girl flushed and bit her lip. Their conversation became so engrossing that when at last the train after much wheezing protest began slowly to move they scarcely noticed it until the brakeman opened the door. “Next station Lenox!” he bawled. As the train slackened speed Austin helped her into her fur coat, threw on his own coat with a jerk, seized her possessions and his and helped her out on the wet platform, where a carriage was waiting. The drive was not a long one, and the carriage soon stopped before a rambling stone bouse. At the sound of the wheels the door flew open and Mrs. Monteith peered out Into the darkness. The carriage lamp shone on the faces of the arrivals. “Oh, Dick, It’s Jack Austin, and Kate Reynolds Is with him,” she cried. Later, as Miss Reynolds was about to go to her room. Jack Austin stopped her at the foot of the wide staircase. “I owe you a humiliating explanation,” he began. “You do, but I will spare you,” she smiled, holding out her hand In friendly fashion. She did not despise him, then, for being such a sublime idiot. He flushed with happiness. On the second stair she turned to him again. Her eyes danced with mischief. “Remember you promised to take me to dinner!" Mrs. Monteith glanced at them, then looked ruefully toward a tall lean girl standing awkwardly on the hearth rug. “Poor Kitty!” she sighed. Advertise iri The Democrat.

“TILL YOU TELL ME IF THEBE IB ANY DANGER?"