The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-06-18
Agnes and /.
by GEEfNA LINTON.

wIs the hoppiest man in the city az
folded and laid away in my pocket
book II letter from the dearest girl in the
world and jumped on the horsc-car on
route for my Office
Some months had passed since saw
my Agnes, for the first time, NJ dinner
Mt the PeytOns. | had frequently met
Miss George Pcyton in society, and
had been several times invited to her re-.
ceptiOns, 70 | was not surprised to re-
ceive one dny nm invitation to dine with
her "informally," to meet n young lady
from Aiken, $. @. or course I pre-.
scnicd myself mt this informal dinner in
full evening dress, where | met some
other gentlemen III similar attire-Clnrk-
son was one Of them-and few young
ladies', and was introduced to my Agnes.
II could only make you see her as she
appeared 10 me that Dight-Ro fresh and
blooming; the blue Of her clear, peace
full eyes; the delicious curve OF the deli
cate lips But enough that then and
there | yielded. and became her ardent
adorcr
From the first she distinguished mo
with her favor. j was her escort to con.
cert and opera. was allowed to claim
the best dances; they were always my
flowers that she carried, aud, finally, be.
fore she returned to Aiken, | was her nc.
ceptcd lover
The year had flown swiftly, and now
brilliant prospect seemed to open before
me. My firm were about TO establish
branch department IN another part of
the city, and proposed TO make one Of
their clerks II junior partner, and man
ager OF the new concern. ] had been
the longest in their employ, and Ind
reason 10 think | was regarded with
favor by cold GrulT'-as Mr.. Grunland,
the SENIOR parner, was cnlled-and he
would he the one TO make the pro-
motion, and settle the question of salary.
Indeed, FOR some weck3 had seen
that he was working tho management
into my hands, 40 | felt justified in writ
ing 10 Agnes, urging our immediate
union. The dear girl consented, and in
the letter received that morning she
told me she was coming again, to make
long visit to the Pcytons, to "do some
shopping" Enhancing words What
did they not imply? And that "if NIL
went well'-if 1 got tho position. of
coufsc-'We mlghl Ue married before
very long /" ] was the happiest man in
the world, as | folded the dear little
letter AWAY, resolving, if it was in the
power OF man TO earn promotion, IwouId
make myself Indispensable to my en-.
rloyers.
Well, she came. There was demure
but delightful meeting Mt the station
and nn enchanting twenty minutes until
] delivered her to Miss Georgie's arms ut
the Pcytons door.
Then followed days Of devotion to
work, followed by evenings of unalloyed
bliss. say "unalloyed," but there WINS
one drawback. The Peyton family were
very considerable, Miss George especially
30, but my darling Agnes was haunted
with the fear that they would think her
visit to them was only to enjoy my 10.
clety. and was constantly suggesting
TINT we shoald coin tho family in the
sitfing-room. Ola hirs. su.TT.0n vas n
bore. hHt u mild orn--p'"rr,miiips ~
nnmitignted one; Miss Georgie's was
bengnant, bnt SLIGHTLY tiresomc. There
was only one other member OF the
family, n pretty littlo fellow named
Ralph. but the girls had taken
TO calling him "Raphael," from
some fancied resemblance to one
d the Sistine cherubs. He seemed
llllet little chap, with sweet innocence
d expression and demeanor, who posed
good deal of the time with his cheek Oh
MS hand after the manner of Il cherub
Aforesaid. He was devoted to Agnes
md hung around her more than was
pleasant, for which l occasionall,
'nubbed him rather severely, but she
Always lnterceded for him. "He wns
'uch little fellow--and then he wns so
oVeiy was he not ones ideal of q boy ?"
Agnes had been in the city few weeks
when, one morning, the telephone bell
u our Office rang sharply. This was n
frequent occurrence, and Clnrkson's
desk was stationed near 1t to save time in
answering the call. The rest OF MS
scarcely looked up as the familiar
'Hullo y was shouted, or the conclud-
ing: "All right I'll tell Mr.. GrutIland.
dood.by + But this morning GARRISON
turned to me with "Tbis ia for Won }
Dixon T. Accordingly | shouted
"Hullo ! and in return heard Miss
Georgie's voice: '''
rs that you, Mr.. Dixonp Agnes is