The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-06-06
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 6, 1874


description of her, Art, she must bo
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
witchery about her that few can resist.
| want to see how Ralph will make it
l rather think that both have found
their match
The next Sabbath Ralph and 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 insulnerable
than himself. He had yielded to the
charm of Agnes presence, had Ferod
himself and 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
He did not speak Of her again to Ralph;
and, as his cousin had no prcrext for
mentioning her, the subject was drop
ped,
One May day sAe acadcay lad a
picnic. A May picnic with it's May
queen, May pole and all its pleasant
accompaniments, and all the annoying
details of such an occasion.
Agnes led her little troop, and when
their wants had been attended, and their
appetites appcased, che left them merry
with their games, and wandered down
the brook little way. She was tired
and wanted few quiet momeets. 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 Estlcss in her lap.
= H7-d,elicious langgor stol; over her
Suddenly she heard step beside her
and started up, slightly bewildcrcd to
find Arthur Benton and his cousin
beside her. Her self possession returned
in an Instant ms Arthur prcscnte | his
cousin, MIR. Wilson. In week, Ralph
Wilsea had forgotten that Agnes Fow
lcr was plain had f"rgottcn everything
save the Sweetness Of her smile, the rose
charm that hung like witchery about
her, and tho hy.glances he now and
then caught from those brown eyes
usually yelled 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 hirted desperately with many
city bellies, had brcathel sweet nothings
in their ears time and again. Why
should he stand in awe Of this little
country girl? He could not fa,hom 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 aud 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
rustic seat in the yard, her hands
always busy with some useful work,
while ne, 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, puzzlins glance, then were rcso
lutely yelled.