The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-11-09

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by his sister. Agatha" he said,
slowly and with an evident distaste
for the subject, "do you think you
did well to engage yourself to Mr..
Peters before consulting your family P"
81 was of age three years ago."
she said, regarding him with serene
dignity.
Yes, yes, Of course. But there is,
such a thing as advice. Mr.. Peters is
our good friend, but is he a suitable
husband for you?"
"What is there against him?" she
asked, unhinchingly. She was not
blind to her lovers bodily imper-
fections. She had lain awake all
night mentally endeavoring to straight
en- his crooked limbs and control his
recreant orb. But with daylight they
had dawned upon her as uncompro-
missing as ever.
But George would not stoop to per-
sonalities Nothing" he answered.
quietly. "Only we have looked very
high for you. 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 took his place by
Agatha. 81 suppose 1 am to congrat-
ulate," he said, with a careless disre-
gard of Nannie's injunctions.
You do not seem very enthusiastic"
responded his sister, calmly, recalling
his secretly-heard exclamation upon
first learning the news.
I" 1 can't help it if DON'T" he az
swered, 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. g..
He went on recklessly: "I don't be-
Heve you knew what you were doing.
You don't love Peters, you only pity
him, just as you used to pity the sena-
tor and all therest. This crooked little
curmudgeonl Why, he is older than
George, and cross-eyed-"
She sprang up in a rage: Lewis,
you have said quite enough. Never
speak to me again. 1 forbid itp'
Then she sought her own chamber
and threw herself upon the bed.
Mamie came to her after awhile
Ny poor darlingl Why are you feel
ing so bad?"
Lewis has been saying such awful
things"
And are you quite sure you have
made no mistaken"
"Quite sure?"
She arose and arranged her toilet;
Mr. Peters was to come that evening.
He arrived early. Mamie endeay-
ored to be gracious, but excused her
self, leaving Agatha to her lover, the
boys having both gone out. And
Agatha, with Lewis cool criticism
still ringing in her ears, felt as if in a
dream. Fortunately Peters made no
inquiries as to her brothers opinions of
the marriage. Miss Mamie had con-
graduated him as though all was salts
factory.
Agatha accepted his alteration quite
passively,. and at last, when he had
gone, retired to her own room to pity
him, and tell herself how much she
loved him.
But as the winter slipped away the
engagement was announced, and, hav-
ing remained unbroken, Agatha's
brothers even began to feel quite re-
signed
The quiet, intense devotion of Nor
man Peters was touching. He Wor-
shipped his betrothed; to him she was
4 very goddess.
eff" thought Mamie, with a soft
ened regret, if he were only not quite
so small If he were only half inch
.aller, to be of even height with Aga
,ha
Meanwhile Agatha was fretting her
self to death. A Thousand little heart
ess sarcasms and glances of ridicule,
% which Peters, in his great happiness.
vas utterly oblivious, were constantly
tabbing her. Night after night she
passed in wakeful agony, the idea of
breaking the engagement never once
occurring to her. She was sure she
owed him, and she realized the depth
II his devotion. She endeavored to rise
lbove morbid sensitiveness, telling her
elf that people would cease their cruel |
Ways when they saw that she was de-
ermined to stand by him. But she
SreW thin, and her face wore hunted /.
Npression. Mesdames Becker and
'ortescue now began to circulate petty /
little stories about her-ingeniouslv |
onstructed, but untruthful romances. /
Nothing very bad, for Agatha was a
woman to whom no doubtful mist .
lung for moment; but whispers of .
coquetry," "girlish folly" and last |
e1ort," which were blown from lip to .
p on the dubious breath of friendship,
anne at last to YeX the ears of the
'orSters. Agatha only grew more
ale. Stormy Lewis, however, one day
onfronted Miss Fortescue in the hall
efore his sisters room.
81 can tell you, madame, that you
lust discontinue your talk of my sis
er," he cried, angrily.
Agatha came out. "Oh, Lewis,
ear"
He took her by the arm. go back,
Hen' iNe lldlIef 10 Settle with |
MS lady. She knows what mischief
he has been trying to work, and l in
end the talk shall cease, or / shall take
she may not admire"
without a word Mrs. Fortescue
armed and fled.
II was sorry for her" said Agatha;
she looked so guilty and helpless"
81 declare 1 haven't much patience.
18th you," exclaimed her brother. "to