The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-06-06
SATURDAY z MORNIN G,

description of her, 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 comment was
Agnes is no firt; but there is
Titchery about her that few can resist
want to see how Ralph will make it
rather think that both have found
their match
The next Sabbath Ralph aud Arthur
were in their pew when Agnes came in.
One sweeping glance she cast over the
congregation, as she seatsd herself at
the organ, then bent her eyes intently
upon her book
Ralph started slightly as he encoun
tered those eyes. Arthur was on the
watch, and something very like smile
curved his lips. Strange as it may seem,
Arthur was anxious that Agnes should
fascinate Ralph. Perhaps the truost
explanation of his feeling was, he did
not relish the idea of his most intimate
friend, Ralph, being more invuInerable
than himself. He had yielded to the
charm of Agnes presence, had ffcred
himself aud been refused in SO delicate
manner, that he felt more ofthe little
ness usual on such occasions He was
still her friend and esteemed her highly.
lie did not speak Of her again to Ralph;
and, as his cousin had no prcrext fer
nentioaiag her, the subject was drop
ped.
One May day tae acadcay had a
picnic. A May picnic with its May
queen, May pole and all its pleasant
ncconpaniments, and ali the annoying
details ofsuch nm occasion.
Agnes led her little troop, and when
their wants had been attended, and their
nnnetites aiP,pssseta, bfle left Them merry
with their games, and wandered down
the brook little way. She was tired
and wanted few quiet moments. Seat
ing herself on grassy plat beneath an
old oak she leaned back against the
trunk, her eyes half closed, her little
brown hands lying listlcss in her dap.
-&-sdelicious lansgur -stol. lover her
Suddenly She heard step beside her
and started up, slightly bewildcrcd to
find Arthur Benton aud his cousin
beside her. Her self possession returned
in an instant US Arthur prcscnte his
cousin, MIR. Wilson. La week, Ralph
Wilsoa had forgotten that Agnes Fow
Ter was plain had f"rgottcn everything
save the ssreetness Of her smile, the rose
charm that hung like a witchery about
her, and the shy-glances he now and
then caught from those brown eyes
usually veiled beneath their long lashes.
Two, three, four months passed, aad yet
Ralph fingered, anxious, yet fearful to
tell the little village maiden Of his
love.
He had flirted desperately with many
city bellies, had brcathei sweet nothiugs
in their ears time and again. Why
should he stand in awe Of this little
country girl p? He could not fathom the
reason. He had never said to her what
he had said to them. In fact, there
had been no love passages between them
He had fingered near her, he had
studied her every word and look, but she
was sacred to him as goddess. Her
manner puzzled him. He believed her
not altogether indifferent to him; yet,
sometimes he fancisd he saw look of
contempt upon her face, as she sat upon
a rustic seat in the yard, her han ds
always busy with some useful work,
while he, lounging upon the green
sward near, toyed idly with his cane or
threaded tho. masses OF his hair with his
white jeweled hand.
September came and Ralph was
obliged to return to the city.
do you know, Agnes, he said one
night, why [ have fingered here so
long 2 The brown eyes gave him one
quick, puzzling glance, then were rcso
lutely yelled.