South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-09-18
Agnes FoWIer's Ideal.
BY ANNIE f. FISHER.

OF the brunette. Her features were irrep-
ulsr, ana, out for her eyes, Der face in re-
pose would have been called very plain.
If not ugly. Every one who knew her ac
knowledged the beauty of her eyes. Large
brown eyes they were, with, at times, a
wishul light in their depths at others. n
flash and sparkle, that quite won the oh.
! server, despite the plain features. Like
iine painting hung in plain frame, you
forget that the frame exists, aud only see
the beauties the painter has placed upon
canvas. AGNES was the only daughter
of widow. a little cottage in the village
was their only fortune, unless we count the
untiring energy aud tho vigorous uucul,i-
waited intellect Of our heroine. Sho was the
crsanist in tho village church aud the teach
or in tue village academy.
One spring afternoon AdNEs was walk.
ing slowly homoward, enjoying a bath in
the spring sunshine. Sac felt II little wea-
~ with her days labor, bat was contented
and happy withal. As she was passing
Judge BENToN's she saw stranger enter-
ing the house with ARTHUR BENTON.
'Oh, thoro-is Cousin RALPH cried little
JENNIE BENTON, as she fow past her bro
Their aud up tho walk to speak to her
cousin.
Who cousin RALPu was, AGYFs had
not the rcmotest idea She walk ou hum
ming tune as she turued into tho cross
street that led to her home wholly uumind.
full of tho remarks that were being made
concerning her.
There is the Iittle orgarist toli you of,
RALPH ARTHUR BENTON said, hastily
drawing his cousin out upon tho piazzi.
'Wha, that homely little thing in cal
leo dress Whcw = aud no gave l0Gg,
low whistle. Il thought from your dcscrip-
ton, Art, she must be equal to Venus, at
! least
ARTHUR shrugged his shoulders, smiled
an odd halo smile, and l,l the way up
stairs. His mental comment vas: AGNES
Is no tllrt, but there is n UiIcbcry about
Der that few can resist. | want to sec how
RALPH Will make il. | ra,hcr think that
both have found their match.
The mex: Sabbath RALpu and ARTHUR
were in their pew when AGNES camo in
One sweeping glance ahe east over the con-
| Gregrton as che seated herself at the organ,
then bent her eyes intently upon her book
/ RALPH slightly started as he encountered
those eyes. ARTHUR was on the watch,
and something like a smile curved his lips
strange a. it may seem, ARTHUR was anx.
ious that AGNES should fascinate RALPH
Perhaps the truest explanation Of this feel
ing vas, he did net relish the idea of his
intimate friend RALPH being more nvul-
nerablo than himself. lie. had yielded to
the charm of AGNES presence, had offered
| himself and been refused in so delicate q
manner that be felt none of the lijllencsa on
such occasions. He was still her friend,
and esteemed her highly. 10 did not
speoG of her again to RALPH and, ns his
cousin had no pretex: for mentioning her,
the liec: was dropped
Ga May-day tho academy had picnic
May picnic, with It's Mayo leon, May
pole, and all the pleasant accompaniment
and all the annoying details Of such an oo-
casion
AGNES led her little troop, and when their
wants had been ATTENDED TO, and their ap.
petites tppeased, she left them merry with
their games, and wandered down tho brook
little way. She was tired, aud wanted
few quiet moments Seating herself on
grassy plat, beneath 30 old oak, she leaned
book ogains. a friendly trunk her eyes half
closed, her little brown hands living list
lessly in her lap.
a delicious laDguor stole over her. Sud
denly she beard step brsidc her, and
started mp, slightly bcwildcrcd, to iud Ar
THUR BENTON and bis cousin by her side.
Her seH-p0ssession returned ia an Instant.
as ARTHUR presented bis cousin, Mr. RALpu
WILSON. In a week RALPH WILSON bad
forgotten everything save tho sweetness Of
smile, the roao-charm that hung Ike
witchery about her, aud the Shy gIances he
now aud thea caught from those brown
eye', usually yelled beneath their long
lasbcs. Two, three, four months passed,
and yet RALPH fingered, anxious, yet fear
iul to tell the llttlo village maiden his
love.
10 had niricd desperately with many
city bellies, had brcathcd sweet nothinos in
their ears time and sgaiu Why should
be stand IN awe Of this little country Girl
He could not fathom the reason. lie had
never said 10 her what he bad said 10 them.
la fact, there bad been no love passages
between them.
lie bad fingered near her, ho had stu.
Died her every word bnd look, bu. she was
sacred TO bin as a goddess Her manner
puzzled bin. lie believed her no. alto.
gelher Indifferent to him yet, sometimes
he faDcCd he saw q look Of contempt nm
on her face, as she sat upon a rustic scat
10 ihe yard, her hauds always busy With
some useful work, wbilo be, lounging up.
90 the greensward near, toyed idly With bic
cane, or threaded the Wavy masses Of his
hair with bis white jeweled hand.
September came. AID BALru vas oblig,
u