The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-08-07
AGNES FOWLER'S IDEAL.
BY ANNIE Il. FISHER.


Agnes Fowler was not beauty. Her
complexion had neither the pure freshness
of the perfect blonde, nor yet the darkness
of the brunette. Her features Were irregu-
lar. and, but for her eyes, her face in re-
pose would have been called very plain,
ii not ugly. Every one who knew her
acknowledged the beauty of her eyes.
Large brown eyes they were. with, at
times, wistful light in their depths; at
Others a flash and sparkle that quite won
the observer, despite the plain features.
Like a fine painting hung in plain frame,
YOU forget that the frame exists, and only
see the beauties which the artist has placed
upon the canvass. Agnes was the only
daughter OF a widow. little cottage in
the village was their only fortune, unless
we count the unsiring energy and the Wig
orous cultivated intellect Of our heroine.
She was the organist in the village church
and the teacher in the village academy.
One spring afternoon Agnes was walk
ing slowly homeward enjoying bath in
the spring sunshine. She felt little weary
with her days labor. but contented and
happy withal. As she was passing Judge
BentOn's, she saw a stranger entering the
house with Arthur Benton. 20, there is
cousin Ralph cried little Jennie Benton,
a she flew past her teacher and up the
walk to speak 10 her cousin.
Who cousin Ralph was Agnes had not
the remotest idea. She walked on, hum
ming tune n she turned into the cross
street that led 10 her home. wholly I'M
mindful of the remarks that were being
made concerning her.
There j. the little organst / told YOU
of, Ralph ArthHr Benton said, hastily
drawing his cousin out upon the piazza
What that hOmely little thing in a
calico gown: Whewlr and he gave a
long low whistle. IL thought from your
description. Art. she must be equal 10
Venus AT least
Arthur shrugged his shoulders, smiled
an odd little smile, and led the way up
stairs. His mental comment was Agnes
j. no ilirt: but there is a witchery about
her that few can resist. want to see how
Ralph will make il. ! rather think that
both have found their. match
The next sabbath Ralph and Arthur
We're IN their pew when Agnes came in.
One sweeping glance she east over the con-
gregatOn. a. she seated herself al the or
gan. then bent her eyes intently upon her
book. Ralph started slightly as he en-
countered those eyes. Arthur was on the
watch, and something very like smile
curved his lips. Strange as il may seem,
Arthur was anxious that Agnes should
fascinate Ralph. Perhaps the truest ex-
PLANTATION Of Ms feeling was, he did not
relish the idea OF his mos: intimate friend.
Ralph. being more invulnerable than him.
self He had yielded to the charm of
Agnes's presence, had offered himself and
hal been refused in 80 delicate man
ner that he felt none Of the littleness usual
on such occasions. lie was still her friend
and esteemed her highly. He did not
speak OF her again to i;aiph; and, as his
cousin had no pretext for mentioning her,
the subject was dropped.
One MAY day the academy had picnic
A May picnic with it, May queen, May
pole, and all the pleasant accompaniment
and all the annoying details of such an oc-
casion.
Agnes led her little troop. and when their
wants had been attended To and their appe-
tites appeased. she left them merry with
their games. and wandered down the brook
a lirtle way. She was tired, and wanted "A
few quiet moments. Seating herself on a
grassy plat beneath an old oak. she leaned
back against the friendly trunk. her eyes
half closed, her little brown hands lying
listlessly in her lap.
A delicious languor stole over her. Sud.
denly she heard step beside her and
started up, slightly bewildered to find
Arthur Benton and his cousin beside her.
Her self-po-session returned In an instant
as Arthur presented his cousin. Mr.. Will
son. Ina week. Ralph Wilson had forgot
ten everything save the sweetness of smile.
the rose-charm that hung like witchery
about her. and the shy glances he now and
then caught from those brown eyes us
ually yelled beneath their long lashes.
Two. three, four months passed, and yet
Ralph fingered, anxious, vet fearful to tell
the little village maiden OF his love.
He had flirted desperately with many
city bellies. had breathed sweet nothings in
their ears time and again. Why should
he stand In awe of this little country girl?
He could not fathom the reason. He had
never said to her what he had said TO them.
In fact. the re had been no love passages
between them.
He had fingered near her. he had stHdied
her every word and look. but she was sa-
cred to him as a goddess. Her manner
puzzled him. lie believed her not alto
gethcr Indifferent to him; yet, sometimes
he fancied he saw look of contempt upon
her face, a. she sat upon a rustic seat i'm
the yard. her hands always busy with
some useful work. while he. lounging up-
Oh the grcensward near. toyed idly with
ms cane. or threaded the wayy masses of
his hair with his white jcweled hand.
september came. and Ralph was Obliged
70 return to the city. DO you know,
Agnes, he said one night. why have
fingered here so longgr The brown eyes