The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-06


evening. Good morning
The next moment she was very sorry. But
the cold words had been spoken. and were be-
yond recall Mr. Sullivan, who had been un-
| able to hear, still less to comprehend what had
| passed, experienced nevertheless "A certain
change in Miss Levison's demeanor toward
him, which was neither accountable nor graft
| flying.
AS they entered the village, Agnes bethought
herself of the existence of two Misses ThOrs-
ton, who were visiting a married sister there,
and to whom the present seemed an excellent
| opportunity for being polite. She accordingly
requested Mr.. Sullivan to ride up with her to
Mrs. Cornelfs gate, that she might invite them
to take tea with her that evening.
They are fine dashng girls, Mr.. Sullivan
| You will be delighted with them
| MIR. Sullivan assumed a look of cOnsummate
indifference. To be polite, now and then, to
| Miss Eustace, was 80 obviously necessary rs
mere matter of policy, that he could make up
his mind quite philosophically to it. But as
for these new girls, Dick believed they must
excuse him.
The Misses Thorston were some Time in
making their appearance, but they were pro-
portionably magnificent at last that it was
I all fair. They accepted Miss Leyison's invita-
ton with very frank expressions Of pleasure.
Country life was apparently becoming dull to
them, and Mr.. Sullivan's handsome face, it
was evident, was IA bright vision across their
path They may have him tonight! thought
Agnes. 81 have sacrificed enough to him for
one day
Leaving the Misses Thorston quite radiant
with anticipations, Agnes and Sullivan turned
towards the lodge. At the park gate they met
Mr.. Decker dashing down the drive
What have you done with Miss Eustace
all this time g. cried Agnes
IAN this time We have been but few
rods in advance of you, since we started for
home
But we have been this half hour at Mrs.
Corneps. Do make some account of that"
!. Decker laughed. You must have had a
charming CALL he said "to protract a bare
five minutes in this way hope Miss Eustact
. will not tell so hard story of my powers o
D entertaining You, Sullivan, at least, will no
f make such uncivil reckoning of time"
Dicks gallantry was touched He began
, thousand protestations 1t had not seemed
moment to him, but Miss Levisons mental
chrouometer and his could not be expected tC
, agree.
Agnes interrupted him. "What an amount
of words about poor half hour from men who
every day waste twenty-fOur whole ones
must interfere, before you grow too careful of
your minutes, and claim some of them for this
f evening"
With promises of attendance at tea-time
they bade her good morning Mr. Levison ap-
pearcd at the door, TO assist his daughter in
dismounting, and his bow to Mr.. Sullivan
though quite civil was such ms to leave the
young man no pretext for lingering
And now, come evening > ieryently sigheC
Agnes; for already her heart was growing
hopeful again. The mornings mischief wa'
not rreparable. She would win Mr. Heath to
forgive her foolish petulance Dick Sullivan
should be turned over to the Thorstons Az
for Mary and Mr.. Decker. she would neither
make nor mar; she would trust the chances OF
a long evening to bring them together.
But when evening came, and with il came
her guests, it brought little satisfaction to the
fair hostess of Levison Lodge Her parlor was
no less socially than tastcfnlly arranged and
if people would only have been rs accommoda
, ting tables and chairs, all would have gone
| off to charm But Agnes soon saw that he
: plans were destined to be in every particula,
frustrated. The entertainment followed an en-
n tlrely new programme. Dick Sullivan, instea,
| of blessing the Misses 1horston with his smiles
| HuHeIcu pcTtinuclOusiy W NlhS LtNlson > slut
G as blind to her own WEAKNESS az to her father
inpatient Chances that way. Agnes was M
( 80 blind She felt, when she did not see, thOs
looks, and she read them thus:
my bad opinion of that young man is be
coming more decided every moment; ut tn
same time, nothing could surprise me less thai
that my daughter should elope with him be
fore the week is out
Mr.. Decker had from the moment of theil
entrance, devoted himself to the Misses Thors
ton, with an ardor peculiarly misplaced in the
eyes of Miss LeyisOn He exerted himself ~
much to be agreeable that Miss juliet, the
elder, was won over into content and listened
with delighted eyes. But the faithful Anna
was not to be coaxed into forgetfulncss. The
handsome hero of the morning had already
been installed into the vacant post of master
of her affections Her rcstIessness and wish
ful glances showed how willingly she would
have relieved Miss Levison of her troublesome
neighbor.
| TO b. CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT