Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-18
Gales arro Skttfbts.


We want you to be happy
Then do not speak against Mr..
Peters, - she said in . way that seemed to
dismiss the subject.
George betook himself to his own room
and Lewis soon took his place by Agatha.
II suppose / am to congratulate" he
said, with careless disregard of Nannie's
ipjunctions =.
lyon do not seem very enthusiastic,
responded his sister. calmly, recalling his
secretly heard exclamation upon first
learning the news
II can't help it if DON'T" he answer
ed, half impatiently. .'You know how
proud we are of you, Gath, and we can't
be expected to think any man good
enough
She smiled.
He went on recklessly: II don't be-
lieye YOU knew what you were doing.
You don't love Peters you only pity him.
Just az you used to pity the Senator and all
the rest. The crooked little curmudgeon,
Why he is older than George, and cross
eyed"
She sprang up in rage. Lewis. you
have said quite enough. Never speak so
again to me forbid it"
Then she sought her own chamber and
threw herself upon the bed.
Mamie came 10 her after awhile. My
poor darling why are you feeling so bad'''
Lewis has been saying such awful
things"
And are you quite sure you have made
no mistake ?''
"Quite sure.'
She arose and arranged her toilet; Mr..
Peters was to come that evening. Nam
- l.. hx ant
excused herself, leaving Agatha to her
lover, the boys having both gone ont
And Agatha, with Lewis's cruel criticism
still ringing in her ears. felt as if in a
dream. Fortunately Peters made no in
quiries as to her brothers opinion of the
marriage Miss Mamie had congratulated
HIM as though all were satisfactory.
Agatha accepted his alteration quite
passively. and at last. when he had gone.
retired to her own room to pity him and
weep for him, and tell herself how much
she loved him.
But 40 the winter slipped away the en-
gagement was announced, and, having re-
NAMED unbroken, Agatha's brothers even
began to feel resigned.
The Quiet, intense devotion of Norman
Peters was touching. He worshipped his
betrothed to him she was a very goddess.
"Ii," thought Mamie, with softened
regret, "if he were only not quite so
small! II he were only a half inch taller,
to be OF even height with Agatha"
Meanwhile poor Agatha was fretting
herself to death. A thousand little heart
less sarcasms and glances of ridicule. to
which Peters, in his happiness, was utter
ly oblivious, were constantly stabbing
her. Night alter night she passed in
wakeiul agony; the idea of breaking the
engagement never once occurred to her.
She was sure she loved him. and she
realized the depth of his devotion. She
endeavored to rise above the morbid sem
sitiveness, telling herself that people
would cease their cruel ways when they
saw that she was determined to stand by
him. But she grew thin, and her face
wore haunted expression. Mesdames
Becker and Fortescue now began to cir
culate pretty little stories about her-in-
geniously constructed, but untruthful ro-
mances.
Nothing very bad. for Agatha was a
woman to whom no doubtful mist could
cling for a moment; but whispers of 'co-
quetry," delighted hopes" 'girlish fol-
ly," and .'last resort" which. blown from
lip to lip. on the dubious breath OF friend
ship, came at last to vex the ears of the
Fosters. Agatha only grew more pale.
Stormy Lewis. however. confronted Miss
Fortescue in the hall before his sister 8
room.
II can tell you. madam. that you must
discontinue your talk of my sister, he
cried angrily.
Agatha came out. "Oh. Lewis. dear"
He took her by the arm. Go back,
Gath, I've n matter to settle with this
lady. She knows what mischief she has
been trying to work. and intend the talk
shall cease. or will take measures she
may not admire"
Without word Miss Fortescue turned
and fled.
IL was sorry for her." said Agatha,
"she looked so guilty and helpless"
al declare havn't much patience with
you," exclaimed her brother, ito think
that you would defend hes, and she every
day assailing your good name. But all
your ways of late are provoking, You
are going to marry man you don't love
because you pity him. For Gods sake
why don't you pity some one suitable"
She trembled with excitement and pas
sion.
Lewis, If you have the least particle
speak so again. | do love Norman, and
il would kill me il anything should break
the engagement"
Lewis quit her presence quite crest
fallen.
The days slipped by. There had been
no date fixed for the wedding, nor was
the subject discussed by the family.
None but Mamie knew the terrible
tremor in which the girl existed. She
was ever moving about. her hands con-
stantly occupied. Day after day, rain or
shine, the two women were out of doors.
They had always an errand, usually one
of mercy. Mamie. however disinclined.
would have felt il sin to oppose, and so
Agatha dragged her of through the fit
ting sunshine, the moodiness. the chill or
the storm Of the springtime, until one
last morning.
It had been raining for three days, and
SO steadily that the sidewalk flags were
cleaned and whitened.
Agatha said they would not be
hampered with carriage, and they took
car for a mile or so, alighting to walk
few squares to another line. The storm
had abated. and the rain was but rest
L.. lws--ln