Brenda's Cousin at Radcliffe: A Story for Girls

ong rides out over the bridle-path, along the broad boulevard, or in the narrower byways of the suburbs. Sometimes, instead of riding, Arthur and Brenda would walk even as far as the reservoi

's hard to believe that this

ke this almost redeem the bad cha

sn't a better all-ro

nia, I should think that y

they had sat dow

l, quoting the surprise of Californians and Southerners, who had come to

d his shoulders in a way that always provoked Brenda as he con

enda, "I don't see why you p

ancied that you

this pacific remar

readful a place; you certainly have no impo

ur frowned ominously, and he abruptly

ssion. After completing his studies he had not wished to practise law. A slight impediment in his speech was likely to prevent his being a good pleader, and the opportunity that he desired for office practice had

ght thing to present itself, and although Brenda had not quoted her father's words, his i

id, as he left Brenda at her

, w

ell her, she could afford to hide her curiosity. Aft

This was Arthur's parting word, in a ple

so; I'm real

studio. The stairs were long and narrow, for Ralph Weston, on his return from Europe, had chosen

perch myself in this eyrie. I am all the less likely to be interrupted when seeking inspiration for a masterpiece. If I were connected with the earth by an elevator I should never be safe from interruption. In fact, I shoul

the State House as the very pinnacle of the city is beautiful, but we can live w

he studio door with Lettice clinging to her h

a few last touches to the table, exclaime

at in the world a

e in the park, and

o leave her behind, "and nurse," she added, "fortunately had a very important er

ally need not apologize. I am always glad to have Lettice here, even th

mustn't touch anything on the table," for the little

removed, allowed herself to be perched on a tabaret, where

off one end of the room was old Norman tapestry-the most valuable of all their possessions. Each chair had, as Brenda sometimes said, a different nationality. Her own prefere

always said that he had very little to show, and that he did not believe in boring h

had exclaimed at this

afraid of coming in direct competition with an old master; though, to tell you th

gnes might be free to move about the large studio. Soon the nurse appeared, and Lettic

e stood near Brenda, waiting for he

e I don'

ceremoniously. "I fancied that you might

d generously dropped two lumps into the cup of one who had expressly requested no sugar. In spite of herself her eye travelled often to the door, and an observ

Mr. Weston's been making calls with me in Jamaica Plain, and the cars wer

r moved toward the table, while Belle lingere

table. "Poor thing! have you been shut up here pouring tea all the afte

won't give you any sugar," said Brend

of Lettice. It is the one you were aski

ned to meet Belle, who was out on a calling expedition. He had accompanied her to one or two houses, because when she had paid these visits she i

rsdays," replied Brenda; "but you were not obliged t

y Brenda's unusual dignity of manner. Then, as she turned to speak to som

ding. Belle now pronounced Boston altogether too old-fashioned a place for a person of cosmopolitan tastes, and she dazzled the younger girls and the undergraduates of her acquai

school days, Belle had certain qualities that made her very companionable, and Brenda was inclined to overlook her less amiable traits. Indeed, she had clung to Belle in spite of the protests of various other girls. But to-day she felt impatient

es in frivolities like this. I hear that she has withdrawn alto

ton, you'd at least hear things straight. Julia is just as fond o

"I had entirely forgotten your new point of view.

Surely you've heard about Miss South and the old Du Launy Mansion; and if yo

so seriously. There! why, it's half-past

could only offer to go home with her, as she professed to be i

for you," murmured Art

renda stiffly; "I have Ralph and Agnes, a

e two young people went off after Belle had said

eeling jealousy in its meanest form, she was annoyed lest the presence of Julia should interfere with her enjoyment of her little circle of intimate friends. Edith Blair, Nora Gostar, Belle Gregg and she had formed a pleasant circle, "The Four," into which she did not care to have a fifth enter. Consequently she was far from kind to her cousin, and would not invite her to the weekly meetings of the group, when they gathered at her house to work for a bazaar. Belle prompted and upheld Brenda in her attitude toward her cousin, while Nora and Edith were Julia's champions. Later Julia had an opportunity to behave very g

ble in her general way of expressing herself. The difference was that now Brenda herself had begun to look at life in a very different way. She had a h

admit that she was surprised and not pleased that Arthur

you dreaming? We ar

se quickly, and was ready with a laughing re

lancholy, and the half-hour of r