Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-26


with any sign of indignation, but he whis-
pered in his ear with some degree of Bit
terness You are fool, Arnold, and you
do not understand yourself or me" Then
turning gayly to Dory, he said In a light
tone Your friend is brooding some fool
ish verses, and in consequence is indiffer-
emit TO his friends"
The answer came quickly; for Dory
suddenly snatched the twig of bay from
Arnold's hand, and jumping up, placed it
ON his head, as she laughingly cried
Here is poet, and l crown him. f"
Then all laughed at this joke, and Ar
mold as heartily as any of them.
We shall both be glad" said Mont
gomery, bowlng, ''if he is lucky enough
to be crowned by such pretty hands as
yours"
SO gee Mr.. Harcourt coming, and l will
join him., said Arnold, with sad feeling
gained the day. So, bowling, he left them
together.
Jacques been bothering you with all the
morning." inquired Montgomery but
with none of the emotion of lover who
feared a RIVAL.
Dory now found the opportunity to BAN
ter this big, good-natured, fond lover,
whose rudy cheeks and stalwart form
were remarkable contrast to the pale face
and slim figure of William Arnold.
He was saying such delightful things
making me laugh and making me cry.
You could never say such things"
"No, indeed And I should be sorry
to say anything that would make you
cry"
"Well, you do make me cry"
IS How, in the name OF wonder?" said
the astounded Montgomery.
BY trying to make me laugh"
"You are hard upon me, Dory; but l
shall ask Agnes to decide between us
whether or not my little jokes should make
you cry" This he said with the air of a
man who was determined to sustain his
character as wit.
"0h, Agnes will say that you are the
| funniest fellow in the world, and that is a
thing at which l can laugh. She is too
tender-hearted to say anything to cause
anybody the least pain.
Well, at any rate, we shall go to her.
Where can we find her?'
"In the housekeepers room, gravely
settling affairs for the day, or in the IL
brary, studying some of those musty vol.
umes which believe are the cause of her
pale face"
And so, chatting gayly, they made their
way toward the house, he pretending to
be much hurt by her severe criticism, and
she trying to make more fun of him than
before.
But they had not to go far, for they
found Agnes quietly engaged in attending
to some favorIte flowers in the conserva-
tory. She was tall, graceful girl, with
| dark hair and eyes. Her face was certainly
pale, but the expression was one of gentle
ness, and her eyes seemed to be full of
sympathy for everything and everybody
| :" want you to act as Judge" said
Montgomery, with as serious an expression
of countenance as he could assume. Here
is this-this-young lady tells me that 1
| make her cry whenever | make a Joke"
There was laughter in the quiet eyes of
Agnes, and a sweet smile on her face as
she answered:
You know that she is always saying
something curious. 1t is only her fun
and you may regard her crying as a COM
pliment.
Dory laughed as if delighted with this
reply.
CONDEMNED /" she said, although
you pleaded your own cause first, and
have not been heard. Now 90 to Your
shooting, and if you bring back one brace
Of grouse l will give you"
GA kiss =" he interrupted.
" No, sir; but compliment upon your
extraordinary success.
g 1t is too bad of you two girls to chaff
me SO; but go like valiant knight to
the wars, and 1 shall bring you dozen
brace at least. and lay them at your feet.
Win not one of you give me badge that
may wear in my cap as my lady's token =?
| believe ladies used to give scarfs when
the knights were going forth to battle"
=" We cannot give you scarf, Sir
Knight, said Agnes, with her quiet smile;
" but here is bit of geranium, which you |
may wear in your button-hole or your hat,
as you please.
g will wear it in my button.hole, if
you will place it there. And as he spoke |
there was an undertone suggestive of some
unexpressed feeling.
Without word Agnes complied, and |
there was slight tremor in her fingers as
she placed the flower.
snow for the moors and you shall see
me return in triumph"
And SO, laughing, he went away.
There was silence for few minutes
Agnes bent over the flowers, more to hide
her face from Dory's quick eyes than for
the purpose of examining the plant. Dory
advanced, and, placing her arm round her
friends waist, kissed her on the cheek.
&c Will you not tell me, Agnes, what it
is that disturbs you so?" she inquired
softly; and there was a serious expression
on her face which was rarely seen there.
Agnes lifted her head, and patting Dory
with the afectionate tenderness of mother
who was dealing with too inquisitive
child, said
81 shall tell you by-and-by, perhaps"
Her voice faltered little as she spoke.
I" 1t is always by and-by ;" was the i'm |
patient exclamation and then, repentant, I
she took Agnes in her arms. 81 know
there is something troubling you, Agnes,
and only want to know SO that 1 may be
able to comfort you"
You do comfort me but do not ask
me to tell you anything just now. Come,
wish to show you my new sketch of the
old oak tree in the meadow, or, if you pre-
fer it, we can take ride"
Dory shook her head and looked quite
gravely at her friend. but the effort to APP
pear grave seemed too great for her, and
the merry twinkle soon reappeared in her
eyes.
81 see; you are not well. and the dis
ease lies there, " placing her hand upon the
breast of Agnes.
The latter started, blushed and said
hurriedly, Come away, you foolish
child"
Mr.. Harcourt and Arnold had made the
round of the home field, the Squire anus
ing himself by throwing apples to favor
tie COW which followed him up to the cor
ner of the meadow nearest to the house,
and there stopped rafting its horns against
the fence, as if disappointed that there
were no more apples forthcoming.
Now, Mr.. Harcourt halted lust beside |