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

the fla-iron. For my part would
never go to that trouble"
But agatha could not respond to her
staid hum0T. She helped put away the
wraps, and inquired after the suburban
friends.
you look pale aren't you well p"
asked Miss Mamie when they were
seated.
The girl dropped her eyes. "Nannie,
have some news for you," she said
with an effort. "I-last tieht-I
promised Mr.. Peters-to-to marry
him." Then she sighed as if relieved
of a great burden,
the room was still, utterly still. If
MISS Mamie were surprised or shocked
she gave no token. She only sat quietly
looking at the girl and taking time TO
collect Agatha never lifted her eyes
until, after some moments, her cousin
cleared her throat and TRANQUILITY in
CURED "Well, dear, are you satisfied
that you will be happy2"
Then the girl rose and threw herself
upon the sofa, ".oh, Mamie, don't
know; 1 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" as long as they
lived.
81 told George at noon," replied
Agatha, in a voice heavy with tears.
"Lewis was not here. 1 wish you
would tell him.
And what did George say?"
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 !
70 5e sure he had money, some social
standing and fair education, They
had known him long, long time, and
even felt for him sort of distant rela-
hves' affection. They would do any,
thing in the world for him. He often
took Agatha about, to places of amuse-
ment, to church, or riding. But he
was at least fifteen years her senior.
and they had never dreamed of his as
plrlng to marry her. His appearance
was pitifully against him. Miss Nan
ME reviewed his bad build, his bowed
legs, his "wild eye," as she called it, a
suspicious eye that seemed to Skirmsh
about the room while its mate regarded
you with steadfast respect. Then she
turned her thoughts to gatha-Aga-
tina perfect in face and figure and en-
nobled by education and advantages
Agatha, for whom senator had pro-
posed and congressman languished,
to say nothing of her lesser adorers -
Agatha, who had rejected the senator
because he lacked principle, and the
congressman because he was a wild
over.
Mamie remembered that the Girl
had suffered and shed tears over re-
fusing these and others. She had
curious disposition, as the boys had
said.
At length Mamie reused and spoke.
81 will tell Lewis; and now. dear,
you had better dress, it is near dinner
time"
"Hark !" cried Agatha, "there he is
now-gone into his room."
Mamie recognized the clumsy step,
Lewis had never yet come up those
stairs without tripping at the top; the
rushing, impetuous way of his boyhood
would always cling to him.
6 am going at once to tell him,
before George comes," said Mamie,
rising.
"Yes, do" sighed Agatha. And
when her cousin had gone out across
the corridor, and her tap had been
welcomed by a careless "Come in ~ |
the young girl stole after and listened
at the crack OF her brothers door.
Lewis, have news for you," said
Mamie, gently, and there was hid
den sob in her fond voice. Agatha
has promised-to marry Mr.. Peters"
"Oh Lordp cried Lewis, in OPEN
mouthed disgust.
Agatha crept away from the door
her face was burning and her heart
beat hard.
But Miss Mamie remained awhile
in her cousins chamber.
Lewis" she said, gently, 81 SUD-
pose we all feel the same over this
matter? Agatha says when she told
George he remarked that he 'congrat-
ulaueu refers.
Well, this is too bad" said Lewis.
Indignantly. at is shame if a girl
with her face and brains can't do bet
.er. She is altogether too soft-hearted.
She would have married all the men
Who ever proposed, if we had let her.
md out of sheer pity, not because she (
'ared for them. That is why she ac-
'epted Peters, couldn't bear to hurt
lis feelings-didn't want his eyes to
uffuse with tears We must do some
hing to prevent"
Mamie smiled deprecatingly "We
must be very careful. Agatha has a
urious disposition, and if she thought
We were all against him she would
nly pity him the more"
III there was only some way to dis
'ose OF him." exclaimed Lewis, grimly:
ii we could send him out with the
leXt Arctic expedition"
Mamie rose. "You will be very
areful what you say, Lewis?"
"Oh. of course"
She fingered at the door. agatha
as not forcelesS nature by any
feans," she said "she can get angry
she cares to. She tells me she put
Iiss Fortescue and Mrs. Becker out of
ur parlor to-day, because of their vile
ossip. 1 have no doubt she did"
"Humph !"
4 4
Agatha came down to dinner with :
or face cOmnocad and bar ,,,o,,x,..