The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-18

| I'm, no; MT. IaTy cannot ieaVc MS Dly bON
and Mrs Cary doesn't 60 out yet"
"Indced, wish them joy; must call OF
them. But you did not account, for the absenc,
of his sister"
"Oh, she has city beau from Washington
and has to stay at home ant entertain HIM.
think it is real mean that she did not bring
him here tonight. He used to be our neigh
Dor; but he has been teaching at the academy
and getting on foreign ways, so we are Obliged
to excuse them"
81 rather expected TO meet them here my.
self " said Edward; "bLt perhaps they are en-
Toying themselves fully as well at home"
Maybe; but sister says Miss Agnes has a
beau IN Pittsburgh that may come along and
knock the socks from off him yet"
AT this moment head was thrust in at the
door and voice exclaimed Room for two
more at the table"
"Well," said Edward, II am but one, unless
you will join me to supper, Miss jenny"
Certainly" cried the forward Miss. But
it will cost you an extra half dollar, and cx.
pow W SCt oupp'A IVA
swell, it will 60 to the church fund, you
know, and then | like your company; you
seem like sensible little girl"
THANK you very much but my sisters say
am quite too forward" said she, taking his
offered hand.
"Indeed, | have not seen any of It yet. 1t
no harm to be little lady, if you are young"
AS they entered the great dining room they
were shown to two vacant seats at the head of
the table Jenny's sister Glare smiled as she
glanced at the couple, and then at the minister,
who occupied the other end of the table. The
latter bowed slightly to the stranger, and then
to him. Quietly he helped Jenny to every.
thing within reach, then helped himself boun.
hfully; and occasionally glancing down the
long tables, he caught the young country dam
sells cycling him shaIply,-and although he
recognized some Of them, he was certain they
did not know him. There was great deal Of
mirthful conversation; but at longht the meal
was ended, pies cakes, fruits and all, and then
the front rooms were flooded But ten minutes
after, when men and maidens looked for the
stranger guest, he was gone. Thanking Miss
Jenny for her company, he caught up his hat
and coat, paid the groom quarter for horse
feed and once more started tor the Enchanted
Castle" as he began to designate farmer Cary's
country home But We must not let HIM get
there before us.
Agnes had recovered her health, and in a
manner her good looks, There were three dis
tnct peck marks-two upon her face and one
upon her neck-but the redness Of the skin
was gone and the fresh, pure blood came and
wen, us of old Her friends-Mlss Clotild
Vocier and Julia Thorn with Clendenning-l
had been with her week, and time had sped
swiftly by.
She saw or thought she saw, in Miss Clio
tild dangerous rival for the affections of Ed
ward Wentworth. She was lovely creature,
all grace and animation; but beneath soft
exterior there was partially revealed a strong
and mighty will Whatever she undertook
was to be accomplished if in the power of wo
man, and she had set her heart upon winning
the young, handsome and accomplished Ed
ward Wentworth Hence she came week to
study her whom she thought to be rival.
On the other hand, julia was now anxious
that Edward should marry Agnes Cary. How
anxious. she would not acknowledge even to
herself. And Clendenning was as much IN
love with Agnes as ever, He thought Julia
was intended for some other and better man
than he.
Clendcnning had come to Carys on horse
back-the favorite way for young men to ride
in old Pennsylvania, and young ladies too, we
may say. This particular evening, knowing
that Wentworth was expected at Cary's, he
pressed Agnes for the long delayed answer.
She had searched her heart faithfully, and
when he made his last appeal she SAID
james, love you dearly as friend, but a
young lady cannot love with her whole heart
two young men at once. My love for another
may be thwarted, but in my present condition
would only have a divided affection to offer
you; and know that would not content you"
II understand the matter, Aggle and must
respect your feelings. But is not this :hc
evening that Wentworth is due, and it is now
ten o'clock"
Yes; but | am sure he Is detained by some
accident or uncomfortable circumstance"
well, Aggie, if Wentworth never comes
can come TO see you occasionally"
II would rather you would not for awhile
yet | will not forbid you positively would
rather you would pay your addresses to some
more worthy young lady-some other more
worthy of your consistency"
THAT will never be, Aggie, Ii do not
marry you, | shall never marry"
You may think better of it, James"
Never never! Agnes. never can love but
once as love you"
You are very kind and generous, James
but | feel satisfied that you will find some
young lady who will love yon.devo!edly, and
VINO VIII win your love entirely"
No, no! that can never bc,H
The hours wore slowly away. Eleven
o'clock came, and still Edward did no; come.
Agnes made fair allowance for the delay on
account of the storm, and ker reason told her