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


On Monday morning. Mr. Decker broke in
upon the girls as they sat sewing in the libra
nv. his head filed with plan for visiting q cer-
tain glen whose existence had lately become
known to him. awe must certainly 60 there,
he said. at is not too far for such walkers as
YOU are, and it is really worth seeing. Miss
| Agnes. know, will be in raptures."
Miss AGNES i'm her secret heart doubted very
much the raptures but on the whole, the idea
was a welcome one To find herself in some
new spot, unassociated with any past folly, and
| filled with the wild charms of nature, would be,
for the hour at least relief.
"Heath must go,n continued Mr.. Decker.
{" He is an enthusiast in natural scenery indeed,
he first showed me the way to this place. Mr..
Sullivan goes, of course and what say you to
our friends the Thorstons!"
Agnes was in favor of inviting them. 1t would
CRAFTY them highly and the more the mer-
| rier.
Mary now suggested some fears of the damp
walking they must expect after yesterdays rain
1t was decided to wait until Tuesday afternoon,
when it was hoped that all ill effects of the
storm would have disappeared.
"Put up your work, Mary" said Agnes,
and let US go and invite those girls at once.
They will feel called upon to make some extern
|
only kindness to give them time"
| AS they were preparing to 60 Decker beg
| ged leave to accompany them.
The futter of little bright plumage is a
pleasant sight, when a man has been shut up
long to such sober society as this. | have a
weakness for fine shows; and when they are of
fered without charge, it is fairly ungrateful to
| neglect them
"You are an ungrateful being, as it isl cri-
ed Agnes AS if had never got up any fine
shows for your benefit Have all those scarlet
| ribbons gone for nOughtW
Decker laughed, and said he believed he
| had done her injustice. He would confess that
she sometimes looked gaudy enough even for
| his taste.
"Then your condemnation is leyelled at Miss
| Eustace,' said Agnes, "and give her up to it.
| Her taste is grave enough to suit a Quaker
| Her motto must be the same with Jenny
| Wren's
But will dress in my brown gown,
| And never 60 too fne.'
| any displeasure will sit lightly on Jenny
Wren" he answered ~ fear she will never
ruHle feather the more for me-"
81 fear so, indeed thought Agnes off even
you could be brought to play Cock Robin to
her, which seems equally to be despaired of.
But how gravely Mary is taking all this She
surely cannot be hurt at our eensuring her
taste. But the truth is, we are both cross, and
am afraid, both on behalf of the same man.
wish Mr. Heath had never come here. He
has interfered in the only matrimonial plan
ever had at heart and has contrived to set me
at daggers-drawing with my own conscience
into the bargain"
With such profitable meditations as these,
l A hoo. ha ohal Me-
COrnelrs She had prepared her companions
for q long season of anticipation in the parlor
but when the door was thrown open, the young
ladies were discovered already in full splendor
entertaining with vivacious ease the fascinating
Mr.. Sullivan. Agnes fastened to atone fol
what she knew to be an unwelcome Interrupt
ton, by entering at once upon the subject Of
the walk.
On receiving this invitation, in which Mr.
Sullivan was at the same time included thu
fair Thorstons underwent a severe struggle. TX
forego such delightful opportunities would b.
cruel in the extreme, but to 90 on foot NJ
pavements either, and distance Of two OF
three miles, with prospect of rough climbing
at the end Their heroism was not equal t
it; and after many indirect attempts to meta
morphOse the whole scheme, and ntroduc,
horses and conveyances they very reluctantly
declined.
1--WE can do without you," thought Agnes
indignant at their want of enterprise, "and il
you can ensnare Dick Sullivan into remaining
at home with you, it will be all the better"
"By the way, Miss Agnes" cried that hero,
suddenly breaking in upon these unspoken
thoughts, "do you remember that wild sister OF
mine?0
perfectly we'll"
"Pve lost her, | find-the news came to me
this morning don't look 80 shocked; she's only
married; she has eloped, in fact"
| "Eloped With whom Any one ] know? 2"
cried Agnes, highly excited by so racy bit of
| intelligence.
| "NO, fancy not forget his name myself,
but be is young scapegrace of fellow, de-
pendent, Fan tells me, on some great uncle or
other, who will hardly be pleased with this
turn Of affairs Stay, remember now she calls
him her adored Lawrence, and signs herself my
atfectionate sister, Fanny Morgan"
Agnes had never heard of any Lawrence
Morgan, but she had known Fanny Sullivan
well. and felt far more interest in the matter
than Dick appeared to have.
She is an acquaintance of yours, too" Ag-
mes began turning to Mr.. Decker. But she
was so struck by his changed appearance, that
she could hardly command herself to 20 on.
He was looking flushed and excited, and alto
gether appeared 30 unlike his philosophical
self, that Agnes was quite COMPOUNDED. Was
this the secret Of it, after all! Could such a
man really have loved that firt Of girl!
: Agnes rec0llected that he had spoken Of meet
ing Miss Sullivan at the Springs, and that he
! had called her handsome but she had never
suspected him Of regarding her in any other
; light than that in which she herself looked
!, / pIar
Mary Eustace was unappreciated by him
To relieve Mr.. Decker and herself from the
embarrassment which both were suffering,
Agnes now rose and made her adeu. They
J had scarcely entered the village street. when
Mr.. Decker said, abruptly
"Have you any commands for the city, Miss
Levison! | am very sorry; but it will be
necessary for me to go down to-day, fnd.p
} Agnes stopped short, and looked at him with
undisguised amusement He stood her gaze
manfully, without Offering an explanation OF
the mystery.
" / am glad he does not attempt to lie about
it," thought Agnes but any ordinary excuse
would be too barefaced."
al hopep he continued, "that my absence
will not interfere with to-morrow's walk"
"Oh, not in the least" returned Agnes "At
all events, it must not stand in the way Of such
mature plans as yours
Mr.. Decker colored, but made no reply
Agnes saw that he was at her mercy, and she
was too generous to trample on a defenceless
foe
ado not let US detain you" she said. "a
pleasant ride to you, and success on this urgent
errand!"
(" distrust YOU he answered, laughingiy
and looking relieved. There is mischief Turk
ing under the words Of your benediction
Miss Eustace, cannot you give me a sincere
ope?n
"You have my good wishes,n said Mary