Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-12-11

|COuHtcudtCC pTOllliSeu--lTdnk, KIM, yell
erous. Her temper, indeed, was somewhat
warm and hasty, but then she was so easily
appeased so forgiving How dearly |
loved cousin Agatha--how dearly we all
loved her. 1t was early in Spring when
she came to us, and we had long happy
summer before us, for her father was not
expected until Autumn. Agatha and
were the only two young persons in the
house, and though | was but child, we
became constant companions, never raw
ing associated much with children, and be-
ing devoted to reading, and other sedentary
pursuits, was able to converse with Agatha
on many themes beyond my years, and to
me she was delightful companion. She
had none of the sickly sentiment Or affect
ed tmidity of some young ladies, and she
loved nothing better than rambling through
the fields and lanes, wading brooks, and
climbing styles. There was Just enough of
the hoyden about her to assmilate her
pursuits to mine, who, being as | have
said, of studious turn, and moreover, OF
delicate constitution, desired no more ath-
Ilethc amusements than those in which she
could join me. She was the earliest conf
daAt, too Except my mother9 of my first
attempts in drawing, and entered into all
my ideas on the sub ect with keen interest.
She would sit to me unweariedly for hours,
and again and again did fail in my at
tempts to transfer her bright and express
sve countenance to my sketches.
Only one of these has survived, the one
alluded to at the beginning Of this chapter,
and even that would give stranger little
idea of her loneliness, though it is sufficient
lily like to recall her image forcibly to my
own mind.
But September came, and with it Colonel
ShelbSurne,-a cold, proud, silent man; we
wondered how Agatha ever came to be his
daughter lie seemed impatient to remove
her from US, and the pang we naturally
felt at parting with her, was increased
when we reflected that she was going with
him. We saw that he was sorry that cir
cumstances had brought his fair daughter
into contact with her plebian kinsfolk and
thathe felt our humble roof had been too
much honored by shetering one of his
blood. He took Agatha to London, and
we heard from her shortly after. she told
US that it was settled they should return to
India the following Spring and her letter
was filled with bitter regret that she must
leave England. Then came long interval
of silence, and then a letter to my mother,
the outpouring OF full heart--a heart
overfowipa with happiness. She was not
to 60 to India yet; she was to stay in dear
blessed England another year, until Cap
tain Lorimer, her betrothed husband, could
himself conduct her thither. They would
have been married at once, and have re-
turned with her father, but he could only
remain up to certain time, and Lormer
could not leave home until some family
affairs were completely arranged. They
were to be married, however, the following
Autumn, and then sail immediately; but
'bctter than ALL" continued the letter, 81
am to 90 down to Selworth Gf you will
take me back) and remain with you al! tho
summer. made papa agree to this; so,
in April, dear friends, in April, l shall be
with you once more, and all our happy
days and pleasant rambles will be renew
ed"
1t may easily be imagined, that we
awaited cousin Agatha's coming with very
different feelings to those we had expert |
enced previous to her first visit. We
should again gladden. US with its smiles,
and | watched for the budding of the first
primroses and violets with childish impa-
thence, for | hoped before their blossoms
faded, she would be with us again. And
so it was. She came with more mature |
loveliness-with more graceful manners
she had always looked little older than
she really was, and now the superior wo-
manness of her department accorded bet
ter with her appearance. She retained all
her old love for flowers, and pets, and
country walks; but other associations were
now connected with these in her mind,
than those fancies which had amused her
when she had roamed amidst them before
in maiden meditation-fancy Free.
But it was plain that her deepest affec-
tons, her fondest dreams were now with
the absent; that every other attachment
was held in subordinaton to one; for never
have seen a woman more completely and
devotedly in love than Agatha Shelbourne.
| was but child, yet the excess Of her
feelings for Lorlmer made me tremble for
her happiness. | was too young to be in
love with her myself, yet am sure | must
have been Jealous of her love FOR another,
for | could not bring myself to believe that
there was any one on earth who merited
such entire devotion from such one as
she was. | could not help strange feel
ing of annoyance when letter from her
lover reached her; and in spite Of her
glowing description of his mental and per-
sonal accomplishments, could not believe
| should ever like him.