The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-02
AiiGreGt allenttS.
COUSIN AGATHA.

= =
Strange ,hought that gentleman, as he re-
mounted and rode slowly on. Iwonder who that
fnc-IooNing woman could be, almost lear that
either she or my friend is in bad hands
MY dear Lorimer, you seemed wonderfully glad
to &c, rid of your old friend, observed Agatha,
when We had walked little way in silence, .'who
may he be !"
oh he's meddlcsome impairment fellow, one
whom should not wish yoa to know; indeed,
dearest, am rather sorry we met him.
The next day brought letters for Captain Io'
mer--imporant letters requiring his immediate
presence in London. lie had been unusually ST.
lent and dspiriied since our encounter with Capt
Maitland, but he laid the change in his manner to
the account of a slight ndIsposion, and Agatha
believed him. dill not | saw plainly thu, there
was some mystery in his conduct, which probably
Captain Maitland could unravel, but dared moi
give uiterance to my suspicious, and trusted that
time would dispel or confirm Them. Lorimer de-
parted therefore, promising to return as as he
could, and Agalm's ligh and nnocen, heart Meth
or feared nor l0rbodcd evil,
The next week there was to be ball ut Il (;
and the presence Of particularly arstocrnic party
Of officers was expected TO render it an uncommon.
Is brlan, affair, Agatha was engaged to 90 with
n lady Of some consequence in the ncishborhood,
with whom her father had formerly been acquain-
led; and, in Il letter written 10 Loriner day o
I,c, h,I b,I
uro with mixture of glceiul anticipation and fond
regret that he .oo could no, share in It's delights
Probably, willie revolving matters Of more conse-
qucnce in lis mind he had forgotten this engage.
mcnt, for he wrote by return Of post to beg that
Agatha would no, think Of going She did not re-
ceiye the letter, however, until the very morning
Of the ball, aud it was then too late to avoid going,
even had she been so inclined. She laughed at
the implied jealousy which she imagined the re-
quest contained, and setting her mind at rest with
the idea that she would explain to Torimer how
late his letter came and how impossible it was no,
go, She continued her p'cplrallons with unaba-
ted ardor And never 4 she look more Lowell,
than when dressed for Vhlt eventual bali. lirr
exQuisi,eIy Gir skin was sci of TO tho best ndyan-
,age by robe Of the palcst blue SATAN trimmed
with magnificent lace, and the beautiful tiara OF
large pearls iha, Cleaned amongst the rich masses
Of her hair, made her look queeny as we'll as love-
iy. remember with what adm lrrlion gnaod on
her and how resolved to beg llSt she would drcs,
thus again, and then let me try oncc more to paint
her. | think see her now gliding across the san
ded floor of the kitchen, which formed at once the
cnerence hall and the Lar gesl room in the house
and hear her merry s'lvery laugh in reply 10
some jocular observation made by my flher, a.
she vanished through the door near which the car.
rage was waiting for her. II was the last time
her laugh rang lightly on my car-hc last tire hcl
smile beamcd bright with the happiness of he,
heart.
She was in the ballroom the uiost attractive OIL
its beauties, and the lady under whose chaperon-
age she appeared, was beset with entrenles FOR an
introduction to her fair charge.
no, not yet;I have promised Miss sheIhourne',
hand for the first two dances, and know she wiI
redeem my pledge. Here, Howard. Howard Matt
land she continued, addressing an officer " no 40
preached, 'how very late you are
Miss Shelbourne, my dear, help me to fulfil m,
engagement. This is my nephew, Captain How
ard Maitland lie is most anxious 10 make Won,
acquaintance
AGATHA looked up, to look down ngnin IN sudden
confusion II was the same gentleman we had mc
in orl walk few days before. They danced TO-
gr,hcr, not only the first two dances, bat the third
and the fourth, and as they danced they attended
less and less to the figures till at length they stood
aside absorbed in earnest conversation The a.
tenon of Agatha was fully engaged, and the vary.
ing color in her cheek, and the quiver of her lip,
toll with what intense interest she listened IN ,yh,,
Maitland was ing. One broken scn,eucc ulone
reached the err Of 4 sander by