Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-09-09

riches must be great burden, although,
to be sure, Cousin Aggie had such
mind for fnancesl But for her part, she
hoped no one would leave her fortune.
This was said in a confidential way,
with her great eyes locking earnestly
into his.
"And what eyes the little thing has,
they look fellows heart right out Of
his body" thought Kingston.
After that. Kingston considered his
first problem very happily solved. An
other had taken its place. How much
money was necessary Tor the luxury Of
marriage?
Jim Preston was courting Miss Agnes
Amberley without any attempt to dis
Ruise. Perhaps his example was little
bit infectious. At all events, Kingston
and Miss Agatha we're thrown together
very much, and their confidential talks
increased in number and interest. On
the last day of Kingston's visit he took
farewell stroll with Agatha. They
stopped on little rustic bridge thrown
over hollow. They were telling each
other their first impressions.
$50 you thought my cousin looked as
If she were born in the purple. And
pray what did you think of me p
you'll be angry"
"Oh, no, won't"
swell, then, I said to myself
What dear little gipsy.'"
OF fcourse Miss Amberley was not angry.
She mad said she would not be; but she
struck her hand hard against the rough
woodwork.
"Take care, you will hurt yourself.
And now, may I ask your first opinion
of meT
81 thought-that is, I said to myself
There is a man I shall Just enjoy
making fool OF, " she answered Spite
fully. "Oh"
She had run great splinter into her
hand. It was very painful. Harry
worked forgivingly to get it out. Just
as he succeeded, Miss Amberley turned
alarmingly white, and murmured,
''Don't be frigatened-how foolish 1
AMI feel like" And but for his arm
she would have fallen.
Kingston was too much bewildered to
do anything but hold her tight and
cover the wounded hand with kisses.
Strange to say, this peculiar method
of reviving young lady succeeded.
She opened her eyes, and the color
returned to her face.
''Mr. KingstonP' pulling her hand
away.
"Oh, if you wanted to make fool of
me" hesaid, gloomily. 'you have entire
ly succeeded. love your
He expected her to draw herself coldly
from his hold, but she did not. She
seemed quite contented where she was.
only rosy glow overspread her face,
and she Whispered
''Are you sure-verY sure?
II wish / was quite as sure of my
eternal salvationI'
"Oh, Harryl No, you must not say
thatI Do you love me enough to care
whether l am rich or poor 2"
"Ten thousand times yes ~
"And--and you want me fer your
wife. anyhow"
"Of course dol"
''Then take mel And you may kiss
me now, Harry"
And he did.
s'Of course it makes no difference to
you," said the young lady presently;
''but you have offered yourself to the
rich Miss Amberley. You needn't start
SO. You can't throw me over now, sir !"
For a moment that was just what
Harry thought Of doing, but the quick
tears in his companioD's eyes brought
him to his senses.
Voices below. Mr.. Preston passed
through the ravine in company with the
other Miss Amberley. He was holding
the young lady's hand, and her stately
composure seemed for once somewhat
ruffied.
mo more Of this, Mr.. Prestonr she
exclaimed, in an agitated voice. SIT is
right that should tell you it was my
cousins whim to confuse our identity.
You doubtless think you are addressing
Miss Amberley, the heiress-"
"Not at all. interrupted Preston. 81
have known the truth all along. It is
only Kingston who is deceived, and If
that is all the defence you are able to
make"
They passed out of sight.
"It is too funnyl" declared Agatha,
leaning on her lovers shoulder to laugh.
'sThat will be q match, too."
And it was. And the following winter
the two Misses Amberley passed out Of
existance, but Mrs. Barry Kingston and
Mrs James Preston became tie bellies
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