The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13

lelt anu their heayy sorrow, I'LL Agnes, as she
listened, became reassured His manner was
in harmony with her feelings, and she enioyed
the quiet of the hour in the transient forgetful-
ness of all the excitement that had preceded it.
1t was just creeping back into her thoughts,
as when we slowly wake at morning 70 some
strange reality, which sleep has made us doubt.
when her attention was diverted by an incident
of some interest Mr.. Heath, while talking.
had been drawing deep lines in the pebbiy
beach at their feet, with the end Of his stout
walking-stick. Agnes as she sat unconsciously
watching these movements, saw him at last.
turn up from its gravelly bed a rusty pen-knife.
She took it up to examine and cleaning it of
as well as she could, she discovered, engraved
on the handle, the letters F. C. H.
"Your initials - she exclaimed, surprised at
the coincidence
Yes and my knife" he answered, taking
it from her hand. alt has lain there undis.
turbed for five years"
Agnes looked at him in establishment. She
had not supposed he was ever in the place be-
fore that summer. Suddenly wondering sus-
picion seized her, and, looking eagerly up into
his face. she said, in broken voice
= Was it you that brought my poor brother
home to usln
8 Ii was" he answered without looking up
But how was it possible?p continued the
bewildered Agnes. "How could you have
CHANGED TO be here?"
81 was on a vacation tour led here and there
by one beautiful view after another, none of
which ever thought to see again But when
this place was offered to me, with my other
motives for accepting it, there mingled strong
IN IL
which the event Of that day had lent so touch
ing an interest,"
"Oh why did you never tell me of this 2"
cried Agnes, reproachfully
"To what purpose?" he answered at could
only waken painful memories, and forever con-
meet them with myself"
But we owe you so much--it was cruel not
to let us speak our thanks to you"
He shook his head sadly
off it had been permitted me to stand be-
tween you and that sorrow, might have been
tempted to urge, too far, perhaps, my claim
upon your gratitude. But was only mes.
senger of evil"
Agnes's heart was too full to allow her TO
answer him, or even TO take in the full import
of his words. Her memory was calling back
the happy years of her brothers short life,
their wild frolics their twilight condolences,
her proud hopes for him. and his loving reliance
upon her. Of all this she spoke freely and
simply to Mr.. Heath, sure of his understanding
81 shall never love any one as could have
loved my brother she said, signing
Never repeated Mr.. Heath, looking sud-
denly into her eyes She blushed under the
earnestness of his gaze.
Dear Agnes, if ever you recall that word
let it be for mel
The autumn afternoon wore away, and still
those two sat talking on the shore of Waunee
Lake There had indeed been many things to
say; for Agnes could not take in at once &c
strange a mystery. To be loved where she had
thought herself only condemned 1t must be
taught her again and again, with varied
phrase, and all the eloquence Of eye and tone
before her bewildered heart could receive it.
But ! thought you did not even respect me,
she said, at last,
But you thought wrong"
{" And have been-that is, have seemed
so trihing and heartless"
"Your seemings are not hard to read through
And had an able commentator in Miss Eus
tace."
Miss Eustace! The name brought up hos
of confused suspicious But without stoppin
to analyze, she dismissed them en- mase as ur
worthy of thought For now Mr.. Heath wa
telling her how the one vision he had had
her, so long ago, in the hour of her grief ha
lived in his heart forever after; how he ha
longcd TO meet her again, and yet had feare
all the time to find her spoiled by the chang
from girl to woman.
al am spoiled enough" said Agnes, bu
that change has hardly come to me yet"
"True It has not" he answered more grave
ly, "and have done wrong to disturb you n
early with this avowal of my love. Do not le
it burden you, dear Agnes nor think of it q
involving your future. will not fetter you b,
asking the exchange Of a single promise. Onl,
trust me for your friend, and let this afternoon
disclosure simply serve to assure you how deep
ly deserve the name"
al do trust you, entirely" she said with ,
grateful, confding look. But at this momen
a guilty recollection Of her deserted friends in
the wood broke in upon the happy rest of hear
aPoor Mary" she exclaimed starting to
her feet. "With her low spirits and headache
to be thrown for two mortal hours on the mer.
cies OF Dick Sullivan! / ought to know what
that is! she added, laughing, as she ran light
ly up the path
1t took some time to retrace the devious way
by which Agnes had come, yet she almost
wished it longer--in part for the new pleasure
Of Mr.. Heaths companionship, but also be.
cause she really dreaded to meet her friend,
after having used her 30 abominably But the
brook was now crossed, and the fallen tree
came in sight; and there, upon her woodland
throne, crowned with q tiara of radiant bios
SONS, sat the lovely Mary Eustace listening,
with bright smiles and eyes alight with pleas
urc, TO the words of her companion Agnes
stood still in wonder.
How beautiful she isl" thought she "And
what can Dick Sullivan be saying, TO call up
such smile as that {!
At this moment, startled by the sound of
footsteps, he turned toward her. 1t was no
other than Rodney Decker! And before Ag-
mes could recover from this surprise, he had
taken her hand, and, with hslfmischievous
earnostness, was beseeching her sanction 10 his
engagement with Miss Eustace
II will not be played with any longer" cried
Agnes, laughing and crying Mt once. al will
know what all this means Mary, tell me, is
this man in earnestf"
g desire to believe So" returned Mary.
4But when did you begin to love him ("
pursued the excited Agnes.
"Oh, spare her the day and hour, Miss Ag-
mes" interrupted Decker, and address your
questions to me, if you please ] am tough
enough to undergo the longest catechism you
can get up but poor Mary looks somewhat
overcome.o
MARY indeed" said Agnes to herself
"That is making progress On, If could ask
fifty questions in breath J" she exclaimed,
leaning against tree for support,
There is no haste" said Decker, coolly.
" Take seat, Miss Agnes, and 20 on at your
lcisureps
Agnes was in no fit frame TO conduct cate
chetical exercise with deliberation and deco
rum. She sat down, however, and commenced
with all the calmness she could command.
"When did you first become interested in