Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-10
Galts ano Skettbes.
A CURIOUS DISPOSITION.

ttE pdTiOEs MISS Il tdEGts tdi =
and of uncertain age, who monopolized the
most comfortable armchair; Mrs. Becker.
shrunken and sandy. who was constantly
sliding off the sofa and reinstatIng herself
with jerk. and Miss Agatha herself, who
sat apart from the others, CHANGING I'M
easily out of the window. as if distressed
by their garruity. Miss Agatha was
fair Young woman. with a noble head and
a countenance expressive OF all grace and
goodness. Yet at this moment she enter
tanned feelings decidedly hostile to her
callers, who had run in with the familiar
freedom of fellow boarders in n family
hotel, to chat away the afternoon. At
heart they were sorry that Miss Mamie
Foster had not returned from suburb.
where she had gone the day before Miss
Mamie. Agatha's cousin. companion and
champeron in one. was far more to their
taste she was more attentive. more easily
impressed, more sympathetic they thought.
She never sat looking out the window
when they were retailing they choicest
bits Of scandal for her special benefit.
But then she was woman Of wears. How
ever, they still fingered it was a pleasant
place. The Fosters had the handsomest
suite in the building and furnished with
rutI ldrte sDttU Ift~- s1Aif-ll 'tFIDi IL
tive art And the Fosters were tip-top
reople. There were four Of them. Miss
Agatha, her two bachelor brothers. ten
and dozen years her senior, and Miss
Mamie, who since their parents death.
had kept the children together. The win .
ter day grew to u close, the room grew
dusky, and still the ladies fingered
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 cOntraltO voice. lyon
must excuse me. cannot listen to such
conversation -
There was silence n moment; then,
Miss Eortescue lifted her cumbrOus frame
''Oh. certainly. quite understand. We
will withdraw. We do not wish to Of
iend.'
"Oh. certainly" family 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 conjunction. THAT | think ladies'
might be better employed than with their
neighbors' affairs"
Good afternoon said Miss Fortescue
savagely
Good afternoon sneered Mrs. Beck
tr
Good riddance,' cried Agatha sharply
ere the door had closed.
To-day Of all days" she said, as she
walked to and fro in the dusk. Presently
the door opened.
"All in the dark, Agatha" asked a
cherry voice.
II thought You would never come,
Mamie" was the swift. unnerved reply.
Then she lit the gas.
why. what is the matter. my dear p"
II have just put Miss Fortescue and
Mrs. Becker out of the room. and tit
has annoyed me"
"Dear me What had they done Pr
1.-The same old sickening gossip Miss
Bruce firts on the street Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown have shown no marriage certfi-
cate; Mrs. Gray holds her step-child to
the fire to burn it, and 50 on and 80 on"
They get their IDEAS from the morning
papers said Mamie calmly. unclasping
her iur-lined circular. The step-molher
holding the child to the fire is a lavorite
paragraph when news is scarce. Some
times she heats the flat-iron. For my
part, would never 90 to that trouble"
But Agatha could not respond to her
staid humor. She helped put away the
wraps. and inquired alter the suburban
friends.
"You look pale; aren't YOU well ?"
asked Miss Mamie when they were seated.
The girl dropped her eyes. Mamie,
| have some news for YOU" she said with
an effort. ''I-last night promised Mr..
Peters-to-to marry him" Then she
sighed As il relieved of Il 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 tn coll
lect her thoughts. Agatha never lifted
her ewes until. after some moments. her
cousin cleared her throat and TRANQUILITY
inquired; well. dear. are you satisfied
that YOU will be happy ?"
Then the girl rose and threw herself
upon the sofa. go. Mamie, don't know
can't tell"
More silence Then Miss Mamie asked
if she had told the BOYS?
To these women George and Lewis
would be 1.-THE BOYS" As long as they lived
IL told George at noon replied Agatha
In voice heavy with tears. Lewis was
not here. wish YOU would tell him.
And what did George say ,"
HE only said. i congratulate Peters.
Miss Mamie leaned back in the chair
and mediiated, bringing Peters up tor a
mental review. Poor little whiflet. To
be sure, he hai money, some social stand
ing and a fair education. They had known
him long. long time. and even felt for
him sort OF distant relatives affection.
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 fifteen years her senior.
and they had never dreamed7 of his
aspiring TO marry him. His appearance
was pitifully against him. Miss Mamie
reviewed his bad build. his bowed legs.
his wild eye rs she called it. suspicious
eve that seemed To skirmish about the
room while its mate regarded you with
steadiast respect. Then she turned her
thoughts to Agatha-Agatha. perfect in
face and figure and ennobled by education
and advantages-Agatha for whom a
Senator had proposed and "A 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
widower
IL u = 4