Page:New Peterson magazine 1859 Vol. XXXV.pdf/220

 THE POOR COUSIN.

BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

“Well, this is comfortable!” exclaimed Harry Wyndham, throwing himself into the large, easy- chair before the glowing grate. “I haven't seen such a fire for three years. It does a man good to go from home once in awhile, to know how he is appreciated. You feel quite proud of your handsome brother, eh, sis!”

“Pshaw, Harry. Going abroad has not cured you of your vanity. But Jane,” she added, turning to a young woman who sat sewing in the corner, “bring some more coal: and, Jane, do get my work-box as you come downstairs. It is awfully stupid here with nothing to do.”

“Thank you, Carrie, for the compliment: but who is Jane? I have surely seen her before.”

“Don’t you know Jane Weston?”

“What! cousin Jenny! Is it possible! Bo she is exalted to the rank of an upper servant in her uncle's family. A sort of maid of all work.”

“Harry! I don't ask Jane to do what I would not do myself.”

“Ah, let me see, coal is apt to soil delicate fingers. I suppose Jenny does not play on the piano, and is not invited into the parlor. Perhaps my memory is at fault, but I believe her father was a wealthy lawyer, while ours was a poor cabin boy, who made his fortune by —”

Carrie's face crimsoned, and she was about leaving the room in indignant astonishment, when Jane retarned with the coal and box.

“Excuse me, Jenny,” said Harry, taking them from her. "Excuse me for not knowing you, but three years make great changes.

Per-{

gised to be a fine musician.

better”

“Yes, Harry,” she answered, interrupting

Shim, “I should have gone long ago but for little Effie. She clung to me and seems to depend on me more than any one elec,”

“Bless you, Jenny, for your kindness fo her, ” Senid the really affectionate brother, “the poor child has not had too much sympathy since I left.”

Here the ringing of the door bell announced the entrance of visitors, and Jane hastily re- treated.

When Harry next saw her she was patiently standing by the table, ironing a delicate ruffle of his own, He had often wondered who fluted these so beautifully, but he had yet to learn how necessary Jane was in household affairs,

“You shall not do this for me, said he, attempting to withdraw it from her hand.

“Suppose I say it gives me pleasure to work for you,” she answered, with gentle smile.

“In that case, I shall say I do not deserve such kindness. But, Jenny, it provokes me to seo you take everything no meekly, If yon S would just speak out boldly, and tell them you 3 would not bear it, they would not dare fo trent

you eo. I am astonished that my father can S suffer his sister's child to become a menial in 3 bis house.” Jane lid her hand on his arm, and replied,

It would have been

very gently, “Come with me, Harry; I have § sometiing to show you.” I ami He followed her up stairs, and ehe stopped at sorry, however, that you still think me such a the door of a.small room which she softly opened. veape-grace, that you have not spoken to me{Qn a low bed near the fire, lay n feeble, sickly ninee T came.” Here Harry playfully put his’ child, whose wan face was even more pele and arm around her, and kissed her cheek, worn than he hnd ever seen it, One thin hand ‘The tears rose to her eyes, and her voice trem- { was under her check, while the other wan thrown Bled as she endeavored to answer, but Harry; over the pillow. She was asleep, continued, «Harry, I think Bfie ia sinking, no one seems. “L am very sorry to nee thie, Jenny. I heard {to notice it bf myself, She hs seemed to care of your father’s misfortunes and death, but Tdid {for nothing for several days, and has hardly uot imagine that you would be treated thus in § tasted food.” * this family.” “Don't say anything, please, Harry; you can jor to be here to-night, and I witl ask him to come de nothing to belp me.” up.” “Why have you remained here? Jenny, you i Harry watched Jnne ax she moved noisclessly haye—you must have borne s grent den], You ‘about the room, pulling everything in ae place,

“Dr. Gordon must come and see her He is

�