The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-08-07

gave him one quick, puzzling glance, then
were resolutely yelled. w.
because our village IL charming
place to tarry In, I presume" she answer
ed quietly.
Agnes" he said earnestly, "you
know why have fingered. liz Is because
love you and have not dared To tell you
SO. | have wealth, Agnes; share il with
me-" There was a nervous trembling
about the sensitive mouth, tremor OF the
eyeIids and then the eyes, grave and ear
nest now, though humid with unshed
tears. looked into his.
"Mr. Wison-Ralph, she said slowly,
II will not deny that you are more to me
than friend; but | promised my father
on his death-bed that | would never marry
any man who had no profession or trade,
one whose hands were soft and white,
who, should wealth take wings, knew not
how to labor. either mentally or physical
ly, for his bread. You may think me pc
culiar-perhaps unkind-but you cannot
fill my idea of true manhood rs long rs
you neglect to develop your mind. We
are not placed here to lead butterfly ex-
istence.'
Frightened at having said so much, ~
mes hid her face in her hands. Ralph
a.
dream. Few thoughts went hurrying
through his brain. Reared in afilucnce,
with every wish gratifled. this aimless, in
active life had become part of his nature.
He was thoroughly awake now; all HE
dormant energies were springing into life.
He would never again be the idle drone he
had heretofore been. Agnes stole glance
al him, and wondered at the transforma-
ton. He was standing erect, his head
thrown back, his really fine features Lit up
by an expression she had never seen there
before.
agnes" he said, as he bent over her
and touched reverently the braids Of her
brown hair, "Agnes. you have spoken the
truth. lam living like poltroon upon
the fortune my father amassed for me.
Little teacher. your words shall not be in
vain. When come TO you again, will
come more worthy of you, or | will never
come Let me but kiss this hand il is all
the pledge ask. Indeed, have no right
TO ask any pledge" Gently, reverently.
he raised her hand to his lips, and then
walked quickly away.
Five years the seasons came and went,
and with them came changes to Agnes's
home. Her mother was dead-she was all
alone.
No word had ever come directly from
Ralph. She had heard OF him i'm the busy
city as rising young architect. Her
cheeks glowed when she heard his praise
although she believed he had forgotten
her. For year she had been teaching i'm
a distant city, where she received better
salary.
Five years from the time we first met
her she returned to her native village TO
visit her friends and her mothers grave.
no eli h..
lane that led from the village cemetery,
unmindful of the violets and buttercups
that raised their tiny heads and looked
pityingly up at her.
She WAS very lonely this bright spring
morning. There Were traces OF tears upon
her face and her lips quiyered like those
of grieved child. This was her moment
of weakness she would be strong again
by and by.
A gentleman was coming up the lane
A stranger. she thought. UnconsciOusly
she found herself admitting his tall, man
Nv form and firm, resolutc tread. Perhaps
il was the contrast with her own weakness
that attracted hersittention and drew forth
admiration.
He came nearer. paused and held out
his hands: saying simply; Agnes !"
" Ralph" she replied, and placed her
hands in his.
:. | have Gomez he said, las 1 prom
ised. | trust | am more worthy of you
than when we parted. Two years ago, the
emergency you foresaw came. My fortune
was all swept away. Thanks to you, was
prepared for the trial. ] can earn our daily
bread now. have a snug little home. viii
you come, Agnes ?
20. Ralph, it will be like in heaven
she said and they went down the green
lane together.
In after years Ralph used to say, when
his friends remarked his devotion to his
wife. " | ought to love my wife better than
most men. for she made man of me-"