The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-09-17
AGNES.

aCome, Miss Agnes, OF Your
iunch'llbe as cold % 3 stone.g
AS the kind old housekeeper
looked into the room, her face took
on an anxious expression as she
saw the bowed young head, and
heard the smothered sobs Of the
mistress Of whom she was 80 un-'
selGshiy fond.
aWhat is Il, dear2 Did the let.
Ter bring bad news2 Tell me
all abou. it, and maybe the telling
Of your trouble'll make iteasier to-
bear"
Agnes raised her head, and look.
ed at Me. Willard in a dazed sort
Of way for an instant Then, with
an effort she controlled herself sui,
liciently 70 speak and unburthen
her mind Of the sad truth which
pressed SO heavily upon il.
"We'll soon be without a home,
Mrs. Willard The money that
papa left me ia all Lost That let.
ter is to tell me-.
Well, Miss Agnes, you have
your Cousin Ernest to look TO. He
will take care Of you
A crimson flush chased away
Che gifl's palloh
"Hush, Mrs, Willard Don't
speak Of him to me, again; he is
married, The news came this
morning.
Bad luck to him, and he engaged
toyoul Flo is a black.hearled-'
NO, Mrs. Willard; he's only fck.
lie and thoughtloss. lie fell DIES.
perately in love with the pretty
young thing he has married, and
they have made a runaway match.
] am glad he found out The nature
Of his liking for me before instead
OF after our union had taken place.
He had u cousinly fondness for me,
that was ALL"
Agnes spoke with a quiet digni,
ty which silenced her listener at
once,
"Well, come and have your
lunch now. broiled a bit of
chicken for you, and | hope it will
taste good. Sitting here and fret
ting won't mend things a Bit"
She succeeded in coaxing Agnes
into the dining.room, and poured
her a cup Of fragrant Mocha, laid
the morning paper beside her plate,
and then left her alone.
Agnes slipped the coffee and tast.
the chicken. Then she glanced
over the columns Of the newspaper.
An advertisement attracted her
attention. II was this
"Wanted, a housekeeper. She
must be active and gOod.tempered,
as well as competent to direct the
domesIicS under her particular
charge"
4 will have To earn my living
now thought Agnes, with a sigh;
and I kept house for papa, SO why
cant | for some one else2 Az any
rate l will answer this advertise
mens, and learn what kind Of du.
ties are required"
She wrote q note, and sent it to
the given address.
The fOll2wing day brought re.
ply from Mr.. Durant, requesting
l.er to call at the writer's house,
giving its number aud the name
Of the street.
After a long walk she reached
the place.
1t was an imposing-looking man
sion.
A carriage was drawn up before
it, and a liyeriod footman ran up
the steps and gave a tremendous
peal at tho bell, glancing at Agnes
curiously as he did so.
A servant came to the door.
Agnes gave him her card, and he
moved noiselessly away, returning
soon to say, Please miss, walk into
the library
A gentleman was seated at a
table writing. He turned his head
as Agnes entered and looked at her
carclessly at first, then curiously,
His eyes were very dark and bright,
and their expression was one of
unmistakable surprise.
4 hope you will pardon me-
said he, for saying your youth is
against you.
Agnes tried to make her voice
steady as sho answered, but in
spite of her efforts, it trcmbled.
Il never had any trouble with
our own servants, sir, aud so l
thuurht mipht manope oiher neo.