Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1872-03-16

| AOuo Iedu I'LL Ol Ll0 WuT u6WB,
scanned eagerly the list of the
dead, shuddering lest his name
shold appear in the black -bordered
column.
Months went byand no news
from John. Then after a long
time they heard of brave soldier
fighting recklessly, daringly; of
swift promotion. But the months
glided into years and tho years
grew terrible, for John never sent
a single line, nor q single word.
Kitty had married, and a little
Frank Lee (named for his father)
was the autocrat Of her household.
Agnes had become q sad-faced
woman, the blue eyes shining soft
and pleasant with a far-away, ten
der look, lying in their depths.
kitty's youngest sister, MOllie, a
dashing, petted little creature of
sixteen, was spending the winter at
Kitty's home.
ooh, we are to have such a splen
did time" she was saying, "and the
lion of the evening is to be Mr..
Langdon."
Langdon?" said Kitty, quickly
glancing at Agnes.
"Langdon, involuntarily repeat
cd Agnes, her face pallid, and her
lips growing white.
"Yes, Colonel Langdon. The
brayest Of men-a real hero, like
one reads Of in novels. He's been
travelling in Europe since the war.
The girls are all crazy, he is such
a catch. | say, Kitty, Pm going to
set my cap for him. It's something
worth while. Now, cousin Agnes,
| want you to bo Cinderella,
and stay in the kitchen. l have
noticed that that quiet way of yours
is dreadtully taking among the gen
tlemen. But I'm bound this time to |
get ahead of you," and the merry
girl went skipping away.
Agnes sighed, and cast a look in
to the mirror, at the white face re>
tlectcd there, and thought how IA
ded it must appear by the side of so
many younger and fresher ones.
The party was a success. While
the guests were coming in, Agnes sat
with her eyes resting upon the door,
with her hand upon her heart, wait
ing for the appearance of the man
whom she desired to see above all
others.
At last the announcement came,
Colonel Langdon!
A blue coat, with opualets on the
shouldcrs-an empty sleevo-a
great form towering head above
all others in tho room-a bearded
brown face, and Agnes knew that
this was John. Yes, the same old
John, to whom she had once been
SO dear.
Awkward John was ssmiling pleas
lntly, shaking hands with old
and becoming acquainted
with new ones.
Agnes saw Kitty take him by the
lrm-Gelt him coming. The hot
blood rushed to her face-then left
It white as death.
"Agnes. an old friend" said the
lrch Kitty" Colonel Langdon."
AS she placed her hand within
his, hers trembled, his was firm.
"Very happy" said Colonel Lang
Ion, "to meet Mrs, Dermot, after 50
many years"
"Dermot" grasped Agnes. 4
"You mistake, John," said Kitty
laughing. "Agnes has never mar
ned and the little lady turned
away, fancying she had made things
quite smooth between them.
Not SO, however. Agnes felt
and the Colonel's easy
deserted him he was en-
oarrassed and an awkward silence fol
Owed, A merry group spied him,
and he was presently whisked away.
Agnes sat near window, her
white face laid back against the
crimson hangings. The Colonel
would glance toward her now and
then, with a troubling expression in
his eyes then devote himself with
energy to the beauties that
surrounded him.
"Isn't he splendid" said Mol
lie, the next m orning. "Agnes, you
sly creature, you never told us that
you knew Colonel Langdon and
last night proved that you and he
we're old chums. l declare I'm
quite jealous"
"No need, my DEAR" said Agnes
pleasantly, ut is an acquaintance
that terminated years ago"
"Oh dear Mollie," said Kitty, sud
denly, "I want you up stairs a mo-
ment. Agnes dear will you mind
Frankie?' and the door closed just
as Colonel Langdon came in.
Agnes blushed, Kltty's maneuVer
was 50 transparent.
There was so much between these
two, and yet they could say SO lit
tie. 1t is SO difficult to go back and
take up the familiarity ended be-
tween friends years before.
The Colonel declared it to be
very fine day. Agnes smilngly as-
sented.
"a fine party last night" he said.
eyes, said Agnes, strohng Fran
kie's hair.
The Colonel turned to q couple of
vases, filed with flowers standing
on the table. Rosebuds in one
in the other.
"Ah," he said coloring, "some one
is fond of rosebuds, and some one
Of geraniums."
eyes, volunteered little Frank,
"the rosebuds are Cousin Agnes; the
o,o,,o, -, 80 =, ,.> A,,,,k AToll:oSo rOuu-