Cousin Maude

Maude knew the reason now why J.C. could not possibly come, and the

week she had, anticipated so much seemed dreary, enough,

notwithstanding it was enlivened by a box of oranges and figs from

her betrothed, and a long, affectionate letter from James De Vere,

who spoke of the next Christmas, saying he meant she should spend it

at Hampton.

"You will really be my cousin then," he wrote, "and I intend

inviting yourself and husband to pass the holidays with us. I want

my mother to know you, Maude. She will like you, I am sure, for she

always thinks as I do."

This letter was far more pleasing to Maude's taste than were the

oranges and figs, and: Louis was suffered to monopolize the latter--

a privilege which he appreciated, as children usually do. After the

holidays J.C. paid a flying visit to Laurel Hill, where his presence

caused quite as much pain as pleasure, so anxious he seemed to

return. Rochester could not well exist without him, one would

suppose, from hearing him talk of the rides he planned, the surprise

parties he man--aged, and the private theatricals of which he was

the leader.

"Do they pay you well for your services?" Louis asked him once, when

wearying of the same old story.

J.C. understood the hit, and during the remainder of his stay was

far less egotistical than he would otherwise have been. After his

departure there ensued an interval of quiet, which, as spring

approached, was broken by the doctor's resuming the work of repairs,

which had been suspended during the coldest weather. The partition

between the parlor and the large square bedroom was removed;

folding-doors were made between; the windows were cut down; a carpet

was bought to match the one which Maude had purchased the summer

before; and then, when all was done, the doctor was seized with a

fit of the blues, because it had cost so much.

But he could afford to be extravagant for a wife like Maude Glendower, and trusting much

to the wheat crop and the wool, he started for Troy about the middle

of March, fully expecting to receive from the lady a decisive answer

as to when she would make them both perfectly happy!

With a most winning smile upon her lip and a bewitching glance in

her black eyes, Maude Glendower took his hand in hers and begged for

a little longer freedom.

"Wait till next fall," she said; "I must go to Saratoga one more

summer. I shall never be happy if I don't, and you, I dare say,

wouldn't enjoy it a bit."