The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-07-01
"Give it to me, Gertrude" she said

"Give it to me, Gertrude" she said
eagerly, approaching her cousin,
|agiye.it it to me, if, it is for me-"
"Nay, my fattered little cousin" :"
said the gay beauty, laughingly :;
await until / have inspected it, will
you /? Ali that is no lovers writing
lit is a lady's chirography, evidently;
some of your delightful rustic ac-
quaintances, Agnes, so you need not
blush about it," and she threw the
letter contemptuously toward her.
Agnes picked it up, and hastened
to her chamber 1t was q delicately
enamellcd envelope, bore the post
mark of a neighboring town, and
was directed to "Miss Agnes Lane, "
in q fair hand.
Agnes broke tho pretty pink seal.
There was tiny sheet of delicate
cream-colored lace-paper, with the
simple words, II love thce," in gilt
letters on a pale satin scroll. That
was all. Agnes turned it round end
round, in search for. some letter or
word which might reveal 10 her it's
origin, but all was pure and stainless.
She sat down and thought. Who
could have sent it to her? Who re-
membered her,?r Was it true that
some one loved her I? Did valentines
always speak truly7 And poor little
Agnes was as happy as any titled
countess of the imperial regime. ;ii
Laugh if ye will, rosy-cheeked,
brighteyed maidens ! who annually
receive bushels Of st. Yalentiue's
mystic tokens, but when ~ have
been, like Agnes, alone in the world,
beloved, caressed and smiled on. by
nobody, ye will rejoice even in the
imagination that one cares for you.
Agnes sleep that night was sweet
and full of pleasant dreams. Of
course wo would not pretend to say
for certain, but we presume that Eus-
tace Clinton figured quite conspicu.
ously in the rosy dream.pictures.
Gertrude laughed at Agnes valen-
tine, declaring, with a plying toss Of
her pretty head, that somebody did
it to impose on poor Agnes credulity,
and forthwith the remembrance of
the valentine went out of every
heart but ono.
Mr.. Clinton came, as usual, quito
often, taking Gertrude out for rides
and to concerts.
The next week after the memora-
Bile fourteenth Of February the pub
lie were thrown into state Of eager
excitement by the announcement that
the world renowned nightingale, tho
fair Jenny, was coming to visit and
sing to them. ~,
The admission fees were enormous,
and only tho "upper tendon" could
afford to crafty their sense of hear
ing by tightening so perceptibly their
money receptacles.
Two days before the night fixed on
for the concert, Mr.. Clinton called to
solicit the pleasure Sf Gertrade's
company on the occasion Of tho con.
cert Gertrude gladly consented and
cast crook Of triumph at poor Agnes,
who was sewing at q window.
Clinton looked that way also.
"Have you taste for music, Miss
Lane2" said he, kindly, passing to her
side as he spoke.
She raised her dark, melancholy
eyes to his face and said, sadly: =
"Oh, yes, I love music very much"
A pleased expression passed over
Clinton's fine face rs hc said:
.'"Will you, not favor us with your
society tomorrow evening? It will
increase my consequence" he added,
laughingly, "to have two ladies under
my care, and Miss Arden will un:
doubtedly enjoy the music better if
her cousin listens also"
Agnes tried to answer negatively,
but Mr.. Clinton overrulcd her objec-
tions, and so it was arranged that
Agnes was to 60 with Mr.. Clinton and
her cousin. .''
Mr.. Clinton called the ensuing
evening for the cousins, and they all
went together in the carriage OF the
Clintons.
Agnes was enraptured with the
singing, and Clinton was very happy
in seeing the happiness he had
wrought.
The next morning after the con
cert, Mr.. Clinton called at Mr.. Ar
denis. Gertrude was out on Q shop
ping expedition; but it was just af
we'll, for Mr.. Clinton asked for Miss
Lane, so the servant showed him the
parlor where Agnes was seated.
Agnes informed him Of Miss Ger
trude's abseBce, adding that she re-
gretted it much, but that her cousin
would return soon.
Mr.. Clinton arose and took the va
cant seat by Agnes on the sofa.
ri do not regret her ABSENCE" he
said, earnestly, "it's only you l came
to see-only you, Agnes" and NJ
smiled upon her from his DARK
thoughtful eyes. "Agnes," ne sale
again, taking her hand in his, II have
loved you long time-the valentine
told you so, didn't it2 Agnes, have
been getting deeper and deeper II
love with your quiet goodness every
day of my life. To me you are al
that is beautiful and loveable in wo
man. You till void in my hear