The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-07-14

J
! she loved him.
But as the winter slipped away the en-
gagement was announced, and having re-
manned unbroken, Agatha's brothers
even began to feel resigned.
The quiet, intense devotion of Norman
| Peters was touching. lie worshiped his
betrothed; to him she was very god
desS.
eff" thought Mamie, with a softened
regret, g if he were only not quite so
small If he were only half,inch
| taller, to be of even height with Aga
tina -
Meanwhile poor Agatha was fretting
herself to death. A thousand little
heartlcss sarcasms and glances of ridl-
Guile, to which Peters, in his great happi-
ness, was utterly oblvious, were con-
stantly stabbing her. Night after night
she passed in wakclul agony; the idea of
breaking the engagement never once
occurring to her. She was sure she
loved him, and she realized the depth of
his deI otion. She endeavored to rise
above morbid sensitiveness, telling her.
self that people would cease their cruel
ways when they saw that she was deter
mined to stand By him. But she grew
thin, and her face wore hunted express
sion.-Madames Becker and Fortescue
now began to circulate pretty little
stories about her-ingeniously construc-
ted but untruthfu romances.
Nothing very bad for Agatha was a
woman to whom no doubtful mist could
cling for a moment; but whispers of
coquetry," last resort which, blown
from lip to lip on the dubious breath of
| friendship, came at last to veX the ears
of the Fosters. Agatha only grew more
pale. Stormy Lewis, however, confront
| ed Miss Fortescue in the hall before his
sisters room.
:" can tell you, madam that You
must discontinue your talk of my sister,
he cried, angriIy.
Agatha came out. "Oh, Lewis dear
He took her by the hand $50 back,
Gath. I've matter To settle with this
lady. She knows What mischief she has
been try ing to work, and | intend the
talk shall cease, or will take measures
she may not ADMIRE
Without Il word Miss Fortcscue turned
and fled.
6 was sorry for her." said Agatha,
''shc looked so guilty and helpless"
6 | declare! haven't much patience
with you,' exclaimed her brother, "to
think that you would defend her, and
she every day assailing your good name.
But all your ways of late are provoking.
1ou are going to marry a man you don
love, because you pity him. For God 5
sake, why don't You pity some one suita-
| BILE
She trembed with excitement and pas
sion.
" Lewis. if you have the least particle
of love OF respect for me, You will never
speak SO again. do love Norman, and
it would kill me if any thing should
break the engagement
Lewis quit her presence, crestfalea.
The days slipped by. There had been
no date fixed for the wedding, nor was
the subject discussed by the family.
None but Mamie knew the terrible
tremor in which the gill existed. She
was ever moving about, her hands con
stantly occupied. Day after day, rain or
slime, the two women We're out of doors.
| They had always an errand, usually one
of mercy. Mamie, however disinclined,
would have felt it Il sin to oppose, and so
Agatha dragged her of through the fit
ting sunshine, the moodineSS, the chill or
the storm of the sprin.time, until one
last morning.
1t had been raining for three days, and
50 steadily that the sidewalk flags were
cleaned and whitehead
Agatha said they would not be ham
percd with carriage and they took a
car for mile or so, alishting to walk a
few squares TO another line. rhe storm
had abated, and the rain was but a list
less driZzlc
Agatha slipped and slid once, and Nan
mic gave Il frightened exclamation
My overShoes are useless, said the
girl, carelessly. l have a good deal of
shopping to do soon
Your outfit" venturcd Mamie. and
stopped.
Agatha sighed, but her sigh was lost
i'll the noise of the street.
\ poor little yellow dog limpcd out
from under a passing vehicle, holding up
one paw and yelping pitifu!ly.
"Oh, Sect cried Agatha, with her
eyes wet. Poor, poor doggie, | am SO
sorry"
The yclls died away i'll the distance,
ana The ladies went on.
y blind man crying " Cough lozen-
geS.' upon the corner detained them for
a moment.
In the next block an old building had
been torn away to give place to a new
one. Careless workmen had left the
sidewalk unguarded at one place, a step
from which would have landed enc in Il
deep cellar, where lay number of loose
| foundation stones.
Just as they had reached this spot
they we've brought to Il sudden halt by
loud cries and confusion. Down the
street, and directly toward them, came
runaway team, dragging splendid
carriage.
Agatha took an irrcsclute step for
ward, and then sprang back as the horses
dashed up against the sidewalk.
The women We're thus separated, and
| III second Mamie was reaching forward
cold with horror.
Agatha" she cried, but too late
The girl had lost her balance and had
fallen backward from the unguardcd
sidewalk down into the deep cellar, and
there lay upon the stones limp and un-
conscious.
She would live, sadly crippled and
helpless; the spine wss injured and one
hip dislocatcd. SO said the best of sur
geoms. She would henceforth require
al care and tenderness
Thank God. she is not poor?" cried
Mamie AS for the boys, George was
completely crushed, and Lewis paced III
tlnor far hourS rryinr cnr ..b;c ,,oo,.