The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-24
The .Anti-M0nopolist-

| 1t suited her voice veil; and certain
amount Of pa.hos that she threw into q swell
ed and fell with . touching sweetness or
the ear. A deep sigh succeeded the close.
She looked round in some surprise to see
Mr. Annerly at her side.
II thought you were at whifl1, she said,
in . slight confusion at his look Of sadness
and emotion.
II persuaded Miss Drew to take my
place. wanted TO hear you sing" he
said.
"How did you know could repay such q
sacrificed" she replied playfully.
Il was certain of it. l heard you talk
| ing Of music at dinner; and you are too like
one WHO was true, heartfelt musician for
me to DOUBT he replied. ut is sad lu-
xury to look at and listen 10 you, Miss Som
ers."
She did not ask why. She grasped too
we'll his meaning.
But she quickly let the conversation to
more Indifferent subjects. and, by her play
full viyacity ana softened wit, she contrived
10 brighten his eyiden, melancholy, and ey-
en- rouse him to genuine smile at some Of
her quaint fancles on ordinary topics.
|. '1hat 10 a true mourner,' she thought,
as she retired to rest. .He must have been
. lover and husband worth l.Aylng-very
different from the aippant butterflies who
poster me to death with compliments, and
puns, and jokes. Why is he SO old aud
gray? l wonder whether he has any chill
drea.0
No doubt Mrs Betsy could have eniight-
ened her; but from come III ex planned reason
Agatha never mentioned his name 10 her
aunt
OF course, the gentleman called and so
i'm 70 ediately before luncheon that he was
asked to stay; ami the afternoon was far ai-
sancea wien he took his leave.
And Agatha was conscious of q feeling o.
regret when he left, Sc rich ana varied was
his conversation, and SO quietly did be con-
rive to draw out ner sentiments, while con-
Tossing hisown, on different subjects.
But any idea OF his dreaming Of love, or
mature widower, was carefully banishel,
lit even entered her mind.
Andehe same remAr k able acc,den: seemed
TO gov TN Annerly's movements as had in
ducedhim to arrive at sirs. Goes at 30 un-
usual an hour that morning
tie was extremely sohcltens about Mrs
beisys health; and, luckily for hln, the
excellent lady fell i'll ola Dad cold, which
coatined her 10 her private sitting room,
and gave al exce.leut reason for A.nl aud
frequent inquiries.
sun, Agatha gave half-smile half Ugh
ct the grave respect OF his manner, cous1d
ering his privileged seniority IN age.
''Ae is terribly afraid ! should mistake
hin. He need not alarm himself. am >
tolerable salamander in such attentions
from mis- SEX" she said TO herself, bitterly,
IS she returned from ushering him TO her
aunt's boudo::, and settled herself in the
drawing room.
She had scarcely rakeJ up her netting,
aud made some exceedingly awkwara ioug
stitches, when the door re-opened, and the
object Of her ansmadversions appeared
He walked straight up to her, with . Pc
cularly resolute step aud riged features.
Miss Somers--Agatha,' he said, rapid
ly, II cannot 60 round about when my
whole peace il in question. have, With
oat my will, against my resolves, learned 70
love you with my whole heart You won
on me frs: by your resemblance to most
dear and honorsd wife, and yoa have COM
pieted the charm BY your iatelIes, and play
iui vat, your womanly grace aud reticene~.
! asa valn fool, perhaps, 70 think 81 your
accepting gray haired widowG, but your
aunt has given me leave 70 ,zy my fate, and
have too much at stake not . risk the
hazard. Al least yon will be kind in your
refusal, if yca cannot love or accept me a.
your husband"
Agatha hal listened in brea.h.ess aston
ishment 70 tia frank, trembling, earnest
words She longed to put him cut OF sus-
penss She Eel, III her mind aud heart that
sae could be happy could be proud Of such
, man as her lover-her husband aal tina;
her lore was gradually deepening at every
fresh insight into he character Of his noble.
h; gh- bred and intellectual MAJ. But she
literally was 10 much pettihed to speak.
she held gu. Ler band to him with look
;ha, was certainly no, discouraging.
And hen hs ciaspei i, in his an j ~his-
pered, "Aga,ha, j, is niae,n her lips did
frame the Yes ,hat complete his happi-
to town, and Mr.. Annerly folio vel % ask
her mothers permission 10 claim her prom
ise And ere the summer had deepened
into autumn the day vas fixed Tor their
Wedding. though ones again postponed By
the sudden death o. his cousin. Lori Fern
! ley, 10 whose titles and estates be Vas heir
There was no surprise nov among ihs gay
! world that the beautiful Miss Soners had
! accepted gray haired vidover f3r hus-
band, since he vas able % place corone,
on her own raven locks, and only Lord
Pe-nley himself, and the delighted Sophie
Harcourt ever we're aware Ct the renarka-
bic fact that the admired belle, the brilliant
star Of the bali rooms, and least Of many
resimen;al mess and college table, hal ac-
ceptcd her ir.t offer.