Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-11-12
CARROLLTON, OHIO.-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER r. 1AL

cousin the words you used, and they, being men,
would have sought an explanation with the sword.
But no blood shall be shed with my permission.
In Some respects, differ from my sex: | am o
frank, Virginia girl, who knows little and cares
less for Ihe ways Of the great world; and can
not suffer msconslruction 10 exist where there
has been friendship. Has any one ssndered
met Again | ask, what did you meant"
Lennox was awed into admiration by this bold
and spirited address. He argued that Agnes
could not be guilty Of wiliu coquetry toward him,
or she would not have dared thus 10 address him.
Besides she was really angry. These things
convinced him that be had been hasly and foolish,
but this only increased the difficulty Of answer.
ing. lie stood there, abashed, looking down
embarrassed, while Agnes gazed on him with
half scorniul, half angry look, tapping the floor
lmpauenIy with her tiny foot. At last Lennox
looked up and spoke,
81 will frankly own, Miss Counensy, that
have been rude and nsolent was a brute al
the lsblc and for being 50, am now angry al
myself"
Agnes burst into tears. The proud, high.spir.
lied girl had wrought herself up 10 the indepen.
dent part she had acted, but at this frank apology,
delivered in a tone Of deep feeling and humility,
her woman's nature gave way.
"My dear Miss Couuenay," said Lennox, re-.
sPectfuliy approaching her, 81 shall never for.
give myself for this"
She struggled 10 master her emotion, and in
pau succeeded.
81 freely forgive you," she said, "but even
yet | cannot explain your harsh words. They
were meant for me, but what have donel"
Lennox felt that full explanation was impos-
sibIe, so he replied Sasively,
81 was angry that you did not ride with me
this morning. | thought it Standing engage
ment."
But you know told you at first that | could
not give you all my time. Beaufort is entitled 10
a share of it. Are we friends agan}"
This alusion 10 her cousin did not please him,
but he had already made himself ridiculous by
his jealousy that day; so he stroye TO think moth.
ing of it, and extended his hand.
I'VE are friends, that is if YOU will let me be
your friend again. he said.
81 will put you on good behavior first" replied
Agnes, with her old gaiery, "lor a whole week
you must not expect 10 ride with me but once
every other day: the rest must be devoted to
Fred. But all the rest of the time you may have
my society, if indeed il is worth the having" As
she said this her voice trcmbled a little.
Lennox could have clasped her hand and told
her how he priced that society, if he had dared
or if he had fell sure that she did not love Beau
! fort.
! The company within now advanced to the p
azza, and on finding Agnes and Lennox tete.a
teie made the pair the subject Of some men,
jestS: and our hero noticed that Beaufort fxer
his eyes severely on Agnes, and that she coore
in embarrassment. Howeyershesoo recovere
herself, and was, during the remainder of tn
evening, the IiyeIiost Of the party.
From that day the old relations between Len
nox and Agnes grew more intimate than ever
! They read their favorite poets together in he
boudoir, whenever she was not engaged with he
other guests; and there was, at such interviews
a magnetism of soul which assured him that Ag
nes entered fully into his thoughts and his en-
! thuslasm.
But jealousy of Beauforstl occasionally Y visi
ted him. Often she and her cousin would b.
coseted in her boudoir for hours: for wheneye
Beaufort asked this favor il seemed 10 be granted
of course.
There was mystery about their cOnneXiol
which gave Lennox many a sleepless night
Frequently, when alone, he convinced himseI
that Agnes was triling with him; but one Of he
sweet smiles instantly dlsspaled his chagrn au
made him more her slave than ever.