Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-10-15
AGNES F0WLER'S IDEAL.
BY ANNIE &. FISHER.

! Agnes Fowler was not q beauty
Her complexion had neither the pure
freshness of the perfect blonde, nor yet
the darkness of the brunette. Hel
feature were irregular, and, but for hel
eyes, her face in repose would have
been called very plain, if not ugly.
Every one who knew her acknowledged
the beauty of her eyes. Large brown
eyes they were, with, at times, visit
full light in their depths; at Others, a
sparkle, that qnite won the observer,
despite the plain features. Like fine
painting hung in a plain frame, you
| forget that the frame exists, and only
see the beauties the painter has placed
upon canvass, Agnes was the only
| daughter of widow A little cottage
in the village was their only fortune,
unless We count the untiring energy
and the vigorous uncultivated intellect
of our heroine She was the organist
in the village church and the teacher in
the village academy.
One spring afternoon Agnes was
walking slowly homewsrd, enjoying Ga
bath in the spring sunshine. She felt a
little weary with her days labor, but
was contented and happy wlthal. AS
She was passing Judge Benton's she
saw a stranger entering the house with
Arthur Benton.
''Oh, there is Cousin Ralph" cried
little Jennie Benton, as she flew past
her brother and up the walk to speak
to her cousin.
Who cousin Ralph was, Agnes had
not the remotest idea. She walked on
humming tune as she turned into the
cross street that led to der bone,
wholly unmindful Of the remarks that
| were being made concerning her.
"There is the little organist I told
you of, Ralph" Arthur Benton said
hastily drawing his cousin out upon
the piazza
"What that homely little thing il
a calico dress Whow!" and he gave 9
long, low whistle. 81 thought from
your description, Art, she must be
equal to Venus, at least.
Arthur shrugged his shoulders
smiled an odd little smile, and led the
way up stairs. His mental commen
was; "Agnes is no f1irt, bus there is {
witchery about her that few can resist
want to see how Ralph will make it
l rather think that both have found
their match" q
| The next Sabbath Ralph and Arthu
were in their pewkwhen Agnes came in
One sweeping glance she cast over tb'
congregation as she seated herself a
the organ, then bent her eyes intent,
upon her book. Ralph, slightly started
as he encountered those eyes. Arthu
was on the watch, aud something like
| smile curved his lips. Strange as i
may seem, Arthur was anxious tina
Agnes should tascinate Ralph. Per
haps the truest explanation of this feel
ing was, he did not relish the idea O
his intimate friend Ralph being NOR
invulnerable that himself He ha'
yielded to the charm of Agnes presenc
| had offered himself and been refused il
so delicate manner that he felt non
of the li.tleness on such occasions. II
was still her friend, and esteemed he
highly. He did not speak of her agai
to Ralph; and, as his cousin had. n,
pretext for mentioning her, the subjee
was dropped.
On Msy-day the academy had q pic
mic. A May picnic, with its May
Queen, May pole, and all the pleasan
Accomplishments and all the annoying
details of such an occasion.
Agnes led her little troop, and whe
their wants had been attended to, an
their appetites appeased, she left ther
: merry with their games, and wandere
down the brook little way. She we
tired, and wanted few quiet moments
Seating herself on grassy plat, beneat
an old oak, she leaned back against
friendly trunk, her eyes half closed, he
little brown hands lying listlessly
} her lap.