Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-02-23
HAVE COME.

were regular, ana Oul lOr Der eyes Ner
face in repose would have been called
very plain, if not ugly. Every one who
knew her acknowledged the beauty Of
her eyes. Large brown eyes they were,
al times a wislful light IN their depths;
Cash and a sparkle, that quite won
the observer, despite the plain features.
Agnes was the ouly daughter Of a
widow. A little cottage in the village
was their only fortune, unless we count
the untiling energy and the vigorous.
cultivated intellect Of our heroine. She
was The organist IN the village church
and The teacher in the village academy.
One spring afternoon Agnes was
walking slowly homewarJ. AS she
was passing Judge Beuton's she saw a
stranger entering the house with
Arthur Benton.
oh, there is cousin Ralph! cried
little Jennie Benton, as she flew past
her brother and up the walk 10 speak
10 her cousin.
who cousin Ralph was Agnes had
not The remotest idea.
There is the little organist 1 told you
of, Ralph Arthur Benton said. hasii
ly drawing his cousin out into the
piazza.
What! that hOmelv little thing in a
calico dress? Whew y and he gave
long whistle. L thought from your
description Of her that she must be
equal TO Venus, at least
Arlhur's mental comment was ::
Agnes is no flrt, but there is a witch
cry 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 Artlur
were IN their pew when Agnes came in.
One sweeping glance she cast oyer he
congregation as she seated herself al
the organ, then bent her eyes intentb
upon her book. Ralph slightly started
as he encountered those eyes. Arthur
was on the watch, and something like
smile curved his lips. Strange as it
may seem Arthur was anxious that
Agnes should fascinate Ralph. Perhaps
the truest explanation TO tho feeling
was, he did not relish the idea Of his
intimate friend Ralph being more in
vulnerable than hiInself. He had
yielded to the charm of Agnes prses-
ence, had offered himself and been re-
fused in so delicate manner that he
felt none Of the littleness Of such oc-
casions. He was still friend and es
teemed her highly. He did not speak
of her again to Ralph; and as his cousin
had 20 prelext for mentioning her the
subject was dropped.
One May-day the academy had
picnic. A May picnic with its May
Queen, May pole, and all the pleasant
accompanimeDts and all the annoying
details Of such an occasion. Agnes led
her little troupe and when their appe-
lltes appeased, she left them merry
with their games. aud wandered down
the brook little way. She was tired
and wanted few quiet moments. Seat
ing herself on grassy plat beneath an
old oak. she leaned herself back
against friendly trunk, her eyes hail
closed, her little brown hands lying
listlessly in her lap,
Suddenly she heard step beside her.
and started up, slightly bewlldered, to
find Arthur Benton and his cousin b,
her side. Her self lf-possession returned
10 an instant, as Arthur presented hi,
cousin Mr.. r ,lph Wilson. In week
Ralph Wilson had forgotten everything
save the sweetness Of her smile, the
rosy charm that hung like a witchery
about her. aud the glances lie now and
then caught from those brown eyes
usually veiled beneath their long lashes
Two, three, four months passed. and
yet Ralph fingered, anxious, yet fearful
10 tel the little village maiden his love.
lie bad arted desperately with many
:ity bells AID had breathed sweet moth
ngs 10 Their ears time and again. Why
should he stand in awe of this little
country girl? He could not fathom The
'eason. lie had never said to her what
le had to them. In fact there had
seen no love passages between them.
lie had fingered near her, he had
studied her every word aud look, bn
,he was sacred 10 him as goddess
Il er manner puzzled him. He believed
ler not altogether Indifferent to him
Jet sometimes he !ancied he saw a
ook OF contempt upon her face.
September came aud Ralph was
obliged 10 return to the city.
DO Jou know, Agnes said he one
light, why have lingerel here so
ong" .
Because our village is a charming |
,lace to larry in, presume. she an
wered quickly.
Agnes lie said, earnestly, you
NOV Why | have fingered. 1t is be-
ause love you and have not dared TO
ell you so. have wealth, Agnes,
hare it with ue.'
There was nervous trembling
.hout the sensitive mouth, tremor of
he eyeiids and then the eyes, grave
md earnest now, though humid with un-
he'd tears, looked into his.
Mr.. Wilson-KaIph,' slowly said she,
| will not deny that you are more %