Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-02-24
VOL. ".

all, water parties, do give opportunities for
that sort Of thing. Young seoundrcl
apsets Agnes into water, picks her ont
again, and expects 20 be allowed 90 keep
her for his trouble oh. know he con-
unuod, sceng me smile, Don't think |
read nothing bat these and he pstted
the account -hooSs. 10 which | then suf.
tercd him "a return,
On reaching The drawing-r room. found
Agnes alone therei Edith had gone 20 the
town.
''She gave mp all hope 0f reaching Birds
home, sa,d Agnes Of her sister, {" as you
werc 50 long away-Why, you've sue
oeeded ,' she added, with quick glance ut
my elatea face, Papa will let us 20
oh, I'm SO glad Edith longed for IT,
How did You persuade him 20 trust Us
with YOU r
lFiN YOU trust yourself with me r.
said l, forgetting Brgis-home.
" IAa! | will, she replied heartily
"anywherc I'm sure YOU will take care
ofuSn
Miss Edelstnn,n | said a tone lower,
and in u different KEY II was going 10 have
the late trvaty ratitiedi-" Miss Edelston,
lea me take care ofyuu always
Another quick glance nc my too easily
perpsed eountcnaaee, and Agnes knew
what was asking.
40 dear, dear p she muttered, her face
and voice saddening-the DEAR was but
an exclamation, and did not apply To me.
began 20 be eloquent She stopped
me, not like her father, but prettily. ner-
vously.
Il like like You so mueh,n she said.
almost Is ii seemed, mourning over me ;
and then ~
"Then love me, - exclaimed, becoming
very earnest indeed. Il love tou.m And.
by Joye! l did love her too, and felt
quite grateful 10 Mr., Edelston for putting
the idea Of doing so into my head,
And thought You were not like the
Others continued the sweet girl parheti-
cally, her eyes glistening, her voice trem-
ulous. i must say No; must, indeed /;
and il | did not, papa would. He always
does !" this sadly
Then my triumphant announcement !:
" But he approyes-he wishes IL. Now.
what do You say n
What r. Agnes questioned quickly,
and then almost solemnly-" Did-papa-
say-he-wished il ~
"Yes.n
"What-SiaR-I-do 2" The same ex-
preston crossed her face that had seen
there often before.
/ spoke Of myself my prospects, the
conditioz.s imposed ON me. pleaded
pleaded as never can Tor have an Oppor-
tmity OF doing st the Bar. She sat silent,
her countenanoe hidden in her small white
hands. After a peroration spoiled, / re.
member. by my losing the nominative case
/ ended simply, but, as | thought, etiec-
lively: " Miss Edelstoa, may call you
mine ln
A long pause then she looked mp. her
face brighter-merry-b bright, almost, il
seemed. 4" You may she said. The
blue eyes, though shining through " a sea
OF melting pearl which some call tears
smiled az me, and was very glad. How
many Thousand times have / said: g I'm
very glad !" yet in my life tno gloomy one
that was the @nly occasion on which 1
could safely made such statement, and
have verified the same by an affidavit pro-
perly sworn. =" But, Mr. Landore, n was
added TO 4" You may but, Mr.. I.andore,
please don't let this make any difference
between us we've been such friends, you
know"
Difference Agnes, dear Agnesr' /
fervently began, advancing from the corner
of the mantelpiece, where, in my nervous
ress, bad been playing quite marriage
peal upon some girandoles-"my dear
Agnes ~
oh, don't-that is just what meant
pray, don't-call me-those names n
she implored anxiously. please, don't
change
| was utterly puzzled. This was all
contrary TO the experience bad gathered
from romances studied in many vacations.
Fiction does mishaul one dreadfully. Sure
ly should fold her in my arms / said
10 myself" have seen it done in scores Of
volume" But Agnes did not seem in the
ca st to comprehend the necessity Of being
enfolded.
Now, about the picnic" she suddenly
said, resuming the frank, friendly manner
which was to her like n sweet-brier bor-
der TO rose tree-an ornament, but vet
protection.
So | obediently talked Of the picnic,
avoiding all t,Rdressc Of tone; and she
seemed quite grateful To please her Iii
was such pleasure TO see her looked pleas
ed, carefully called her Miss Edelstonn
mot Agnes) when rose to leave. whereat
she was evidently delighted, and shook
hands heartily, just as some college chum
of mine might have done. at parting. |
ran of to Insect Lodge with my news.
Aunt, what do you think / have
done ?"
" Something foolish, no doubt, dear
nephew replied aunt confidentially.
" I've proposed to Agnes Edelston."
"Of course My poor boy. why didn't
you come to me first j could have told
you she would have refused you.n
"Then you would have told a--n
I" IYb0fF screamed aunt joyously, drag
ging me into the failing daylight, TO in
spect my legible physiogomy. " "Well, |
am surprisedr' was her commentary ON
what she read there.
Thanks, | growled out. You might
congratulate me, at all events"
Then she did congratulate me, good soul.
very heartily. Still, | could discern that
her uppernost feeling was that of wonder
ment, 50 / asked why she should be sur
prised.
Because fancied that Agnes was too
affable and sisterly in her manner towards
you for her TO be In love- But, suppose
Aunt Mary's getting stupid in her old age,
or girls are more deeply cunning than they
were in her time What does the father
say ?"
] informed her
The picnic was jolly one, and every
thing went merrily. On the approach of
Christmas-tide ! went home to Noting
hamshire; the correspondence between
Agnes and myself waned little, and be-
gan to long for my uncle's return TO Hclea-
shore, that / might again quarter my
self upon him, and be near her. But the
old colonel could not tear himself away
from the vicinity OF the clubs, and / was
Al. n