The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-12-28


10 think that my brother Horac,
should have been guilty of a great erin,
like this; and Agnes is. after all, my
own flesh and blood-his daughter
and he had the face to write me on hi:
death-bed, begging my pity and forgive
ness. wish he could know the hate
and scorn | feel for him now"
After this, Master Rowland was sem
to school away off, and a young gov
erness come for Miss Agnes. She had
growed into such lovely creature thai
| used to tremble with delight when she
entered the room. She wore soft, dove.
colored merinos in winter, with brigh,
ribbons at her neck, and dainty mus.
lins in the summer, with jesamines and
roses in her yellow curls. She had
growed into masters heart to that ex.
tent as l never see anything like it. He
filled the house with young company to
please her, and put up grand piano in
the MUSHROOM, but he always made
some excuse to have her get away from
the guests and be with him, and she
seemed never so happy aswhen making
his tea or reading to him.
There were scores of handsome young
men came to the Burs to court Agnes,
but this agitated master so that she dis
missed them one by one. He could not
deprive her of all associates, and so he
invited down all the pretty girls he
could get here. She was the hest OF
them all. to my thinking, although
some of them were Just like portraits.
with their lowered silk gowns and
peachy cheeks. There was one as
beautiful rs an angel. but there was
mischief in her raven black hair and
swapping eyes. She was spending the
summer at the Burs when Master Ro-
land came down from the city. She
took dead set at him right off, and /
could see Miss Agnes wilt little under
1t, like a white rose in the hot sun. She
was as sweet rs ever, but she had black
c,rcles under her eyes, and took long
walks under the fir trees by herself.
Master Roland would run out after her.
and presently they would come in as
bright as cherubs, and then all three
would GO into the MUSHROOM and sing
like angels. They We're in here at lunch
con one day, and master sent for Miss
Agnes to come TO the library to get q
favorite book for him.
Master Roland made spring from
his chair and caught Miss Dorset
around the neck and kissed her passion
ately on the lips. She pretended to
push him off, but she melted in mo-
ment.
"oh. Valentine, my love-for you
are my love-give me one word of kind
ness. Tell me to ive-for without it l
shall Diet
Nonsense. Go to her-that pale
faced saint. 1t is she you love-I know
very we'll"
.;What is She compared to YOU. nv
queen, my idol! She is baby. some
times hate myself that | had not the
courage to speak out plainly, but am
dependent yet on my father, and dare
not"
And do you love me, Roland-bet-
ter than ANYTHING on earsh?"
She sat with one foot on a hassock,
her tiame-colored satin dress sweeping
in heavy folds around her snOw-wh tie,
arms cleaning under their open sleeves
like parian marble. She was a tempt
ress, devil, and 4 power over men like
sirens have.
Il swear, Valentine. I do love YOU.
and you alone. would murder any one
who came between me and my hearts
desire. 1t is 4 dangerous thing to win
my love; do not tamper with it lightly:
You nave made me your slave, but l
could be terrible master"
"Pshaw! All men are terrible mas
ters when husbands, as they are merely
wax when lovers. 1 am used to such
Then you calmly provoke me; YOU
are playing with me, Valentine"
He stood over her. baleful light in
his dark eyes, like the metallic glitter
Of serpent's when looking at its prev.
Stupid boy! Sit down. don't like
scenes: You bore me frightfully with YOUR
came to Edgeworth to
De amused, not terrified or wearied;
hush, you are making yourself hideous,
Aunt Agnes is returning"
beware of me, Valentine. I am
not the man to Jest upon some subjects:
-Ou will learn that to your cost
And | am not the woman to be sub
lued by threats: you will learn that to
your discontinue Oh, here You are.
iarling. Roland has proposed drive
o the old Glen: You will go. OF coursea'
Miss Agnes looked at Roland's knit |
ed brOws with astonishment. but de- !
lined to 90. at which his face cleared |
again. She did not see this as she was
1usy with her luncheon. This was a |
ample of many mornings IN this old |
Dom. Finally Roland went away and |
Hiss Dorset went for season to the |
and was not sorry, for one: |
md L could see that her a. sence did not !
fleet any of the household. Miss 1
Agnes got many letters which troubled /
md worried her. Often she would lean |
Ter head on the mantle so close to me
hat could keep time with the beats of
Ter heart which tiuttered like a Gagged |
,ird. She would weep violently, then
OBJ and be as calm as possible before
master. Once he opened the bag and
aw that the letter was in the handwrit-
ng of Master Roland. She read it
astily and put it out of sight. begin
ing to talk excitedly of trifing mat
ars.
What is the news from Roland. dear;
e seems to be reforming in the matter
t letters. He writes TO YOU every week
ow; ANYTHING private?"
L could see question in his eyes
Thich made her heart leap under her
-hite dress. She could not bear to de-
GIVE master, and she had TO do it.
.'Oh, he always wrote gossip to me,
on know. He is awfully womanish in
lat way"
LET me see if his hand has i'm
royed?" He held out his hand, and in
scared way she drew letter from her
ocEet withdrew IL from IFS enyelona