Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-17
Gales an0 Skttfkts.
fgUE LOVE.

ketkkW WV CV NSSNOK0
fgUE LOVE.
Three ladies were seated in Agatha For
ter's parlor-Miss Fortescue, large, dark.
and Of uncertain age, who monopollzed the
most comfortable armchair Mrs. Becker,
sbrunken and sandy, who was constantly
sliding of the sofa and reinstating herself
with jerk. and Miss Agatha herself. who
sat apart from the others. glancing un.
easily out of the window. as if distressed
BY their garrulity. Miss Agatha was q
fa,r young woman. with noble head and
countenance expressive of all grace and
goodness. Yet to this moment she enter
tanned feelings decidedly hostile to her
callers, who had run in with the familiar
freedom of fellow-boarders in q family
to chat away the afternoon. At heart
they were immensely sorry that Miss
Mamie Forster had not yet returned from
q suburb where she had gone the day be-
fore. Miss Mamie, Agatha's cousin,
companion and chaperon in one, was far
more to their taste she was more attract
i've, more easily impressed. more sympa-
thetic, they thought. She never looked
ont of the window when they were repeat
ing their choicest bits of scandal for her
especial benefit. But then she was wo-
man Of years. However, they still
fingered; it was a pleasant place. The
Fosters had the handsomest suit in the
building and furnished with such taste
Such carpets, Such decorative art And
the Fosters were tip-top people. There
were four Of them-Miss Agatha. her two
L.. lrl< fnrr ra
her senior, and Miss Mamie, who. since
together. The winter day drew to close,
the room grew dnsky. and still they lin
gered.
Agatha could endure it no longer. This,
of all days, she was without patience.
She rose quickly.
Ladies'" she said. with an indignant
culver in her sweet. cotralto voice, you
must excuse me, cannot listen to such
conversation"
There was silence moment then Miss
Fortescue lifted her cumbrous frame,
.'Oh, certainly. I quite understand. We
will withdraw we do not wish to offend. y
"Oh, certainly" echoed MRS. Becker,
sliding from the sofa for the last time and
preparing to follow.
Agatha's impotence only increased.
.And allow me to say" she exclaimed
with no compunction, that think tina,
ladies might be better employed thar
with their neighbors' affairs"
Good afternoon" said Mrs. Fortescue
savagely.
Good afternoon" sneered Mrs. Becker
Good radiance :" cried Agatha, sharp
ly. ere the door had closed
"To-dav Of all days" she said. as she
walked to and fro in the dusk. Presently
the door opened.
"All in the dark, Agatha?" asked 8
CHEEKY voice.
II thought YOU would never come. Nan
ME-" was the swift. unnerved reply. Their
she lit the gas.
why, what is the matter. my dear ?"
II have just put Miss Fortescue and
Mrs. Becker out of the room, and It'll
has annoyed me-"
"Dear mep What had they donep"
1.-The same old sickening gossip. Mis-:
Bruce flirts on the street; Mr.. and Mrs
Brown have shown no marriage certificate
Mrs. Gray holds her step-child to the fire
TO burn it, and so on and so on"
They get their ideas from the papers. y
said Mamie. calmly. unclasping her fur.
lined circular. The step-mother holding
her child to the fire is q fsvorte paragraph
when news is scarce Sometimes she
heats the flatiron. For my part, would
never 90 to that trouble"
But Agatha could not respond to her
staid humor. She helped to put away the
wraps, and inquired after the suburban
friends.
"You look pale; aren't you well P" ask
ed Miss Mamie, when they were seated.
The girl dropped her eyes. Mamie. 1
have some news for you." she said with
an effort. 'I-last night promised Mr..
Peters-to--to marry him." Then she
sighed rs if relieved of a great burden.
The room was still. utterly STILL II
Miss Mamie was surprised or shocked
she gave no token. She only sat quietly
looking at the girl and taking time to col
lect her thoughts. Agatha never lifled
her eyes until. after some moments. her
cousin cleared her throat and TRANQUILITY
inquired: "Well dear, are you satisfied
that you will be happys'
Then the girl rose and threw herself
upon the sofa. "Oh, Mamie, Il don't know /;
l can't tell"
More silence. Then Miss Mamie asked
If she had told the boys.
To these women George and Lewis
would be "the boys" rs long IS they lived.
"a told George at noon," replied
Agatha, in q voice heavy with tears.
Lewis was not here. wish you would
tell him."
'And what did George sayP"
''He only said, Il congratulate Peters. :"
Miss Mamie leaned back in the chair
and meditated. bringing Peters up for a
mental review Poor little whiffet! To
be sure. he had money. some social stand
ing and fair education. They had
known him long, long time. and even
felt for him sort of distant relatives af-
lection. They would do anything in the
world for him. He often took Agatha
about to places of amusement, to church.
or riding. But he was at least 10 years
her senior, and they never dreamed of his
aspiring to marry her.
His appearance was pitifully against
him. Miss Mamie reviewed his bad
build, his bowed legs, his "wild eye." as
she called it-a suspicious eye that seemed
to skirmish about the room while its
mate regarded you with steadfast respect.
Then she turned her thoughts to Agatha
Agatha, perfect in face and figure and
ennObled by education and advantages
Agatha. for whom senator had pro-
posed and a congressman lsnguished. to