Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-03

LORD ALFREDs FLIRfarIoN.

ping hurriedly at the wicket OF the tele-
graph Office in the village of Brightstar.
land let the answer be sent TO this address
Immediately on its arrival"
Certainly, sir" and a slender white
hand appeared at the pigeon-hole aper-
ture to receive the slip of paper.
Lord Alfred started slightly. for he had
spoken in hastv and peremptory tone.
and was taken abaek when soft, girlish
voice replied to the brusque order and a
delicate feminine hand came forth to do
his bidding.
She counted the words.
"Sixty-nine cents. please"
He laid down golden coin.
1--WE do not take English money, sir, in
the office, but | will change it for you my.
self, il you wish.
81 shall be deeply obliged" replied
his lordsbip.
The young lady handed him the equiv
alent in American silver and received the
amount due, then with bow and smile
in response to his thanks. very much, "
proceeded 10 'click, click" his message
to its destination.
| Never before had smile such an extra
ordinary effect upon this young nobleman
as that bestowed upon him by Agnes Ar
dab. He left the Office in wild state OF
intoxication, and being a stranger in the
vicinity, might have wandered anywhere
had he not fortunately walked into the
arms of friend.
Hello. Richards, whittier bound
Why. what's the matter You lock as il
Won had been mesmerized.'
Pm not quite sure that | haven't, "
laughed Lord Alfred, slipping his arm
| through that of his companion. Tell me
| instantly. Edgar-delay might be fatal
who is that girl in the telegraph office P''
"That young lady is Miss Agnes Ardah,
the pet of all the country round as Bob
Acres would say. There's not youth
within radius of 20 miles but what is
fathoms deep in love with her.
"And she P''
| kind and affable to all up to certain
sojpt. then-adamant A diamond is not
more cold or unimpressionable."
mot more brilliantly beautiful! You
know her, GrantleyP VIII you introduce
me p'' - -
..My dear friend, to what end ?" asked
Edgar Grantley. gravely, The gill may
be cold to others-they are proud family
of good birth, though poor-but you pos
sess the attributes to thaw an iceberg, not
to speak of prospective coronet and rent
roll that defies my arithmetic to specify
Why should you wish to disturb her peace
of mind ?"
Nonsense! I'm not such a coxcomb
as to think could win the serious regard
of a girl like that AS for the other in
ducements, she would not give them a
moments thought, if / read her face
Alright
any lord, Irritation with Agnes Ardah
might prove dangerous pastime for you,
and would certainly do her serious harm.
How about Lady HelenP Are such flirta-
tons Just to herp"
Lady Helen has nothing Of which to
complain" said the young man coldly.
''But pray don't talk about disagreeable
subject came over to America tor fun,
and few harmless firtations are in order.
Will you manage the introduction for me?"
"Richlands, YOU are incorrigible. Ask
my mother. She knows Miss Ardah and
her sister, who is the organist of All
Saints church, where my father breaches. y
| "Another beauty, is the sister,"
well, not so strikinglv handsome as
Agnes, but some people admire Rose even
more. However, my lord, with Rose you
must not fiirt, because we are engaged to
be married." t~H
Happy fellow! Don't you pity poor
beggar like your honored guestP''
His friend gave his arm sympathetic
squeeze, but did not again open the SUBJ
ject of his engagement with Lady Helen.
What a winter it was Lord Alfred
was perfectly fascinated by the weather
and the sports. He met Agnes Ardah
constantly, and had long since ceased to
look upon his acquaintance with her in
the light of filtration. He was desper-
ately, madly in love with the girl, and al
though he was debarred from declaring
it, he refused to fly from the danger, or,
indeed, to discuss or think of the matter
at all. He ignored the grave looks OF his
friends, thanked his kind old host--who
had been his fathers tutor-for his words
of warning and advice. but paid not the
slightest attention to them. Miss Ardah
behaved TO him exactly as she did to
scores of other admirers.
OF course, girls of her stamp do not
wear their hearts upon their sleeves; had
this young lady displayed hers in that very
conspicuous place, the discovery might
have been made that it was not so whole
or well-regulated an organ as its owner
would have had people believe.
1t was the night before Christmas, and
the young people of All Saints were dec
Grating the church, The little Sunday
school adjoining was scene of the liveli.
est excitement. Busy fingers, chattering
voices, and merry laughter made light the
pleasant but tedious work. Agnes Ardah
stood upon the middle rung of step.
ladder, winding streamers of fragrant
balsam fir around pillar in the main
building, and little Katie Grantley stood
by ready to assist. The most fastidious
critic might have agreed with her admir-
ers in extolling her beauty tonight. Az
she stood thus, with her long arms above
her head, she was the realization of ar
artists dream.
Katie, dear. hand me the wire, please
l think ] have this in position at last y
she stretched out her hand behind hel
back without taking her eyes from hel
work. The white fingers were quickly
caught and kissed two or three times be
fore the wire was placed in them. A
wave of crimson famed over the girls
face and her eyes flashed, but before she
turned to speak to the offender, she wal
} paler than before and wicked sparkle
Atxalt -, kor h.