National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-03-18

sIpstiate on her "dilemma."
s s;:
d.ughtsr. and ! fear she would scarcely have
such |. Romeo 50 ocmpis!siy i home Z the char.
And who is tho Romeo, Lady Aiicia'" asked
.:oh, didn't ! toll y.a'" exclaimed her lady;
= me Dais 81 DoTminsteT's; and, In fact, il va;
hood :" inquired Mrs Ford: II faneled no was
aoh, 80 he Is indecd-guitc so!' replied Lady
Alicia. "But We have discovered that We have
30 many mutual friends that the wonder e W, We
family. too, and good private fortune, But have
another call to make" she concluded, rising and
Agnes. .May count upon you, Miss fcrdf"
II think. my love" interposed Mrs. Ford, re-
time, Eve had better consult your papa, and we
can then let her ladyship know"
So her lsdyship was fain to declare herself per.
fcctly satisfied to leave the matter In the hands
Of her "good friend Mr.. Ford and descended to
her carriage after cordial shake Of the hand
and an Injunction TO Agnes to commence study.
aFor we shall have a rehearsal tho day amer
to.mOr,oy, and viii not for a moment suppose
II was no easy matter for the anxious mother
to decide as she considered for the best. But,
thorough conviction that any attempt to bias her
daughters mind In Sir James's favor would be
Of lows run as smoothiy as the na,aIsl eourse
Of erents wouia allow - INV ''N'''
So little note was dispatched to Lady Alicia,
tsst ~ seonnins over tbs imnassIoned iansasya
Of the wondrous bard, and listening in Imsgina-
tiou 10 the Thrilling tones OF the hand some dan
tain. Rehearsais. Of course, were incessan,' and
Aapes ENJOYING for the first time the luxuries OF
bibe notions best caicrlsted to luther " her
mothers wishes
y cannot Imagine what h,, become Of Sir
fore the performance. ale has never called
since the night Of the ball"
aNo. mamma. ~ exclaimed Agnes auietIy. pbe
Is gone on q yachting excursion 70 Sweden and
MIS- Ford made no audible rep,v lint ,ne again
s,Red herself IN her pmost hsa2t vhy mo ase
tiied. "'i'''s'A''' 'A"sH'''' "''e 10 '0fe'y
~ s s athouaS ne tns s oys
or even Of admiration had ever escaped the Gan
g hs w 100 ~
admit Of any mistake and sho carefully treas.
ured in her heart ali the trivialities Of daily In
sunS sSG ned them to be marks OF pro-
Al Length the important piuht arrival. and
Juliet, In q futter Of excitement prepared 10
| meet her Romeo. Her heart heat mi sbe couid
almost hear It's throes as she stepped out on 10
the balcony; and her nervous utterance Of the
lapeua ge passed for an Indication Of 4 carefuly
studied reading of the part. and when At lie
close OF the scene her voice faltered and almost
failed her with excess Of emotion as her lovers
parting words spoken with tender lingering
cadence. followed her, hsacilEhtsd:sadencet es.
piause.
Amer the performance there was magnificent
stage dresses occupied the post Of honor and re.
| ceived the thanks and praises OF the company
The entertainm,n Mt was prolonged TN late hour,
the night Agnes unwiiingly agreed TO return
| home with her. The Captain calamity escorted
his lovely Juliet to the carriage, and as they
passed through the entrance hall which was pro.
fusely decorated with dollhouse flowers, he piucked
spray OF heliotrope and presented 1t to her ex-
| clsiming, with theatrical voice and gesture:
Accept this flower, fair Juliet, from your
Romeo"
her; pressed the cherished blossom to her lips,
seat and indalged in delightful anticipatIons Of
future felicity. The heliotrope became of course,
a sacred relic, to be carefully treasured among
| her most precious possessions. Poor Agnes!
| She was only eighteen, and she was given to day.
dreams. strong minded girl would have tossed
| no more about u; But Agnes Ford was not Q
| strong minded girl-only very silly one,
| "It only knew what Captain Crofton's inten.
tons really we're said MIS-: Ford. meditatiyely'
| Il hope you have not mistaken him, A gnes."
| u think there can be no doubt, mamma" re-
| turned Agnes, with becoming blush.
| "A soldiers Is sad, rowing life, Agnes and
| hope he will not take you of to India, or any Of
| those horrible places"
| "Ch, no doubt he has interest enough to maj n.
| sRe all that, mamma. I think he knows the com.
| mander In. chief personally
| "Well, must say shall be very glad when II
is absolutely settled. Is there title In the fam.
| lily, do you know"
Poor MIS- Ford could not yet reconcile herself