Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-11-19
AGATHA's CONQUEST.


''It is very likely Agatha is little
spoiled. She is d beauty and an
heiress. y fE4t
Mrs. Mordaunt's soft, yellow hands
We're busted in cutting out an en-
broidered edge, with a pair of tiny.
gllttering scissors, as she leaned back
in hereasy -chair, before the long French
window opening into the garden of
Locust Lawns, as the Mordaunt place
was called.
A little nearer to the window, with
an open book upon her knee, as she sat
on low footstool, was her niece,
Sylvia Raymond.
The gardens at Locust Lawns! Vel
vety banks and dropping willows,
white-armed statues, clothed with bios
soming vines, fountain jets, ribbons of
bright bloom and blossoming locust
trees. The scene was very fair. Birds
sang init, and butterflies fitted through
1t; and in its midst stood the elegant
mansion of gray stone, with it's bal
comics, pillars, and windows of plate
glass. A pair of great bronze lions
guarded its portals, and in the large
bay windows rare exotics seemed to
look out into the sunshine.
Yes, repeated Mrs. Mordaunt.
Agatha has always had her every wish
gratified, and probably she is little
spoiled.''
''She was fourteen when she went
away. She must have changed in
three years, = murmured Sylvie, gazing
dreamlly out among the roses.
'It is three years." responded her
aunt, In a smeditatiye tone. II was
very 10th to leave Agatha behind me
when we returned from abroad last
summer, but her father declared that
her music needed it, and she was in the
best OF care. Now, at last, her educa-
tion is finished.'' et44S sT
Mrs. Mordaunt spoke more to herself
than to Sylvie. She. was never apt at
any time to give her niece, whom she
considered a mere child, much of her
confidence; and yet Sylvie was only two
years younger than Agatha.
In a week Agatha was at home-a
sumptuous young beauty, who wore the
black poppies III her golden hair, and
ever looked like the ideal work of a
painter; but she was very unlike a
goddess to live with, having the most
exacting and selfish nature.
s'Did you ever see anything SO beauti-
ftil as Agatha is, Joy?" asked Sylvie Of
her uncle's ward, Joy Eggleston.
"What?''
"a painting Of Circe.''
For one little moment Sylvie looked
troubled, for she and Joy had their
secret.
'Ah, you love her nowI She is pref
tier than IL
"Hushl forbidden fruit is sweetest.
Sylvie.' Hth
For his guardian Strenuously advised
him to marry money, his own fortune
not being large, and his tastes and
habits luxuriOus-and never dreamed
OF his falling in love with the child
called Sylvie, and so the young lovers
had need of secrecy.
The weak and indulged Agatha was
far morea child. Sylvie's was pure
and noble soul. She had all the
strength of truth and simplicity, and it
was the girls very beautiful self that
Joy loved. Yet the Egglestons had
passionate blood, and Agatha Nor
daunt drew him towards her by the
sensuous side of her nature. As for
Agatha, she had fallen recklessly in
love with this princely young man.
Il don't care If he is poor, I'm going
to have him, mamma
Joy isn't poor exactly. His income
Will always support him in moderate
STYLE" considered Mrs. Mordaunt.
but we have looked higher for you,
darling. There is young Almont, the
Governors nephew. Your father. |
know, has set his heart upon that match
for you"
81 detest Tom Almont, with his silly
speeches and compliments. 1 tell YOU.
mamma, there isn't such another
splendid fellow in our set as Joy Egg
lesion. You can't see it, because you
are used to him; but he's charming "a
perfect Adonis. All the girls are raw
ing about him, and l will have him, or
nobodyl''
Joys personnelle is very fine,
know, Agatha. He is singularly hand
some and genteel. l shall be willing
myself, since your heart is SO set upon
him; but your father-''
'Oh, we can outwit father.''
For three years the house had been
as quiet as spell-bound castle. But