The Lincoln County herald., 1872-12-25

my admiration OF Miss Ashley, which
indeed was 20 manifest in the persistence
with which l stuck attentively to her side,
until common politoness compelled me to
resign her to another partner. There arc
women who ore happy to see a friend
preferred to themselves-Miss Caring
ton was one of them. She said siguiG
cantly:
ut 10 not every one, can assure you,
who can appreciate Agnes Ashley"
And l answered promptly, 1T is not
every one to whom Miss Ashley would
reveal herself for appreciation. If am
not mistaken, the admiration Of the mul
titude would only be q weariness to
her"
Miss Darlington laughed with little
archness, as much as to say, "who taught
you the mind Of the king p But she
uodded assent, and recognition as it we're !;
and | went home and dreamed extrava.
giant dreams.
Lizzie lifted her eyebrows next morn.
ing when told her that had made Miss
Carrington's acquaintance.
"She is a very exclusive person" she
said, II am surprised at your meeting
her, for she seldom shows herself at the
church sociables. How did she treat
your"
"Rather cooliy at 6rst; quite cordi-
ally afterwards"
"Wheu she discovered you were diff
ferent clay from the set one meets here"
cried Lizzie, proudly. "You must call on
her father, Sydney, and make yourself
intimate at the house, for Kate Curring
ton is girl worth knowing. She is an
only child, and her father is said to be
immensely rich"
II have osked and received permission
to call, and shall probably 20 there thus
evening. Not because Miss Darlington
is an heiress, you mercenary creature,
but because" continued. unbushingly,
she has friend and visitor that have
fallen in love with"
"Upon my word! y Lizzie exclaimed,
with gasp, as If had taken her breath
away. "Do you actually mean me to be
lieve what you say?"
II actually do"
"But Sydney Kate Carrington's Wis
itor is Agnes Ashley "a poor governess,
or music teacher, or something Of that
sort"
well, and if she is p
'Oh 1t is all very we'll, but you haze
your fortune to make. and you are worse
than poor-w;th-with these children
and such a helpless" Lizzie's lip
quivered, as she stopped.
went round the table aud kissed her
IL am not poor man, dear, while have
such good little sister. Aud she aud
the children shall only be better cared
for if | am fortunate enough to win
Agnes Ashley for wife. Don't be
afraid, Lizzie, but trust ME"
After that, it appears that did not
6nd Railway SO slow. 1t is true, l did
not 60 to the sociables again. There was
no need to, for We were very sociable
indeed, at Bonnie Brook House, Mr.
Carripgton's elegant country seat. l was
made welcome there, and found in its
fulness the happiness that belong to the
fools" paradise, that only fools will
slander so. But it was well for me that
| had chosen my beautiful Agnes for an
Eve to my paradise, Instead Of Miss Car.
rington. Ifound the field occupied there
with vengeance, if l had put in rash
foot. That fact reconciled Lizzie, when
| bron- ht the news to her at last-wi,h
the waning summer-that had won the
poor governess" for my bride.
As for me, was loft:Iy Indifferent to
her poverty, Er ! was soon in high
feather at u food Of artistic successes
which Railway had brought me. Miss
Carriugton's father in the fret place, gave
me an order at large price for my pic
ture Of Bonnie Brook" the study for
which had made on his own domain
Another liberal patron fell into rapturss
over my Morning in the Meadow" aud
that too. was booked at a good figure.
Besides had taken portraits both OF
Kate and Agnes, which partial friends
declared to be iu every way characteristic.
Altogether | was fast "rising" into fame
and fortune-all thanks TO Lizzie's i'll.
wind.
"You have been my good angel" l
said to her scme days later. when she had
been to offer her sisterly congratulations
to my betrothed. "If it we're not for
you Lizzie, | should have been making
some dreadful failure in the mountains,
instead Of being as | am tho happiest
man in New Jersey"
"Yes, dear, your blessing in disguise,
said Lizzie, with face like on April
day, between smiles aud tears. You
thought I did not understand your sacri,
6ce, but did all che time, and you
ueedn't interrupt me-l've something to
tell you. Your poor governess that yos
are 90 pvoud of--wsll, she's an heirsss
aftev all. Kate Cavsingtoa told me %,
yesterday, and she said that Agnes loved
you 6,s., because you were 30 disiDter.
ested ssd honorable, 10 pay her such
attention when you thought her only .
poos giri, and When Others vho thought
ihe same thing, Segiected her. It's oil
quite ro,Rastic, 6ua yop zee it's IN ~