The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-07-01
AGNES LANE.

ent on the charity of rich uncle.
Poor, and withal very plain in face,
she was neglected by the gay fash.
ionables who frequented her uncle's
house, and paid obsequious attention
to her fair cousin Gertrude.
But Agnes had q heart-a warm,
true, womanly heart it was; but all
its outgushing affection was thrown
upon ITSELF There was within her q
wild yearniug to be loved, cherished
and appreciated. However, asit was,
she had but little chance of being
treated with even common politeness
when her beautiful cousin was near.
Gertrude Arden was beautiful, and
to do her justice she was naturally
good-hcarted, but flattery and fashion
had .couspircd to make her vain and
frivolous. Accustomed always to be
first in all circles where the stronger
sex pay homage to the weaker, she
thought not of yielding to her hum.
BILE cousin those little attentions which
mako womans life an earthly para
disc, Gertrude never was unkind,
but thoughtlcss often. 20. '''s;'
Among the visitors to Mr.. Ardeu's
splendid mansion none were noble-
handsomcr or or..I1ier thea Eustace
Clinton, tie only caiid Of q deceased
millionaire. Every one prophesied
that many moons would not wax and
wane ore Eustace and Gertrude would
call each other by a tenderer name
than that of friend, and indeed Cir.
cumstances seemed to justify the as
sertion, for Clinton and Miss Arden
were constantly together, at the 90
cial party, the promenade and the
opera.
Agnes saw much of Clinton, ne
cessarily, and she thought him the
noblest of all her cousins admirers
Her enthusiastic soul saw in him one
whom the earthly had left uncontami
nated-one nearly allied to tho heav
emily. She felt happy in his presence
she was glad when he came; she
sighed when he went away.
Gradually in her lone young hear
there had grown q regard for Eustac'
Clinton, and that regard had deepen
ed into an earnest, selfsacriicing love
1t was a strong love, pent up clos'
within her own bosom it throve up
on tho remembrance of atone, q look
smile. But Agnes would not hav'
confessed as much to herself; sh
3 Iguarded we'll her heart and put sea
upon her lips.
The alLmemorable day sacred t.
Saint Valentine was at hand.
: Gertrude was wondering wha
would be decreed to her on that i'm
portant day, and in her joyous antici
patton she limited to Agnes that
might be the betrothal ring from
Eustaco Clinton. 50.
/ Agnes felt a sharp pain at he
heart, as her cousin said this, but her
was q face that told no tales.
Painfully that night did tho poo
, orphan feel her utter loneliness, whe
: the gay, gilded missives, filled wit
{ earnest protestations for her fair cous
lin, were brought in. Of course
there were mono for Agnes VIII
would notice poor dependent lik
0 herr
8 Tears came up in Agnes eyes. No
Y that she had expected any remen
. brauce, not that she cared for thos
simple little trifies called valentines
D but if there had been but one for he
t it would have shown that some on
,, in the wide world thought of he
n and wished to make her happy o
= that festal day.
Gertrude tossed the shining token
( into q heap, declaring petulantly tina
Q it was too bad for Clinton to disal
point her 30, when she had expecte
n something from him. . ;.
Agnes sighed softly-'twas a habl
: she had she did not choose to reply t
3 remark.
Q Presently the door.bell rang. Ge'
n trude sprang forward.
! "It is Clinton's valentine for me,
> know" she said, triumphantly. q :.
= thought it very strange that n
8 should have forgotten me-" and sh
met the servant, who had replied t
the summons, in the middle of th
hall. "Letters for me, John 7" an
she held out her hand.
), "Miss Agnes Lane" said John, reae
r, =: f,o,,a tho anva1One