McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-09-04
AGNES.

"Come, Miss Agnes, or your lunch'll
be cold as a stone."
AS the kind old housekeeper looked
into the room her face took on an anx-
ious expression, as she saw the bowed
young head, and heard the smothered
sobs of the mistress of whom she was
so unselishly fond.
''What is it, dearp Did the letter
bring bad news? Tell me all about it,
and maybe the telling of your troub'll
make it easier to bear''
Agnes raised her head and looked at
Mrs. Willard in dazed sort of way for
an instant. Then, with an effort, she
controlled herself sufficiently to speak
and unburden her mind of the sad
truth which pressed SO heavily upon
it. LII U
''We'I soon be without home,
Mrs. Willard. The money that papa
left me is all lost. That letter 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 the
girls pallor.
'sHush, 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
to you. He is black-hearted-
''No, Mrs. Willard; he's only tickle
and thoughtless. He fell desperately
in love with the pretty young thing he
has married, and they have made
runaway match. I am glad he found
out the nature of his liking for me be-
fore instead of after our union had ia
ken place. He had cousinly fond
ness for me, that was ALL
Agnes spoke with silent dignity
which silenced her listener at once.
swell, come and have your lunch
now. l broiled bit of chicken for
you, and hope it will taste good.
Sitting here and fretting won't mend
things bit.
She succeeded in coaxing Agnes into
the dining room, and poured her cup
of fragrant Mocha, laid the morning
paper beside her plate and then left
her alone.
Agnes slipped the coffee and tasted
the chicken. Then she glanced over
the columns of the newspaper.
An advertisement attracted her at
tention. 1t was this:-
.sWanted, housekeeper. She must
be active and good tempered, as well
as competent to direct the domestics
under her particular charge.
81 will have to earn my living now,"
thonoht AGNES, with a sigh; sand I
kept hodse for. papa, SO why can't [
for ssme one else? At any rate l will
apsWer this advertisement and find out
ffhat kind of duties are required
She wrote a note, and sent it to the
given address.
The following day brought a reply
from Mr.. Durant, requesting her to
call at the writer's house, giving its
number and the name of the street.
After long walk she reached the
place.
1t was an imposing-looking man.
sion.
A carriage was drawn up before it,
and liveried footman ran up the steps
and gave tremendous peal at the
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 table
writing. He turned his head as Agnes
entered; earelessly at first, then curl
ously. His eyes were very dark and
bright, and their expression was one
of unmistakable surprise.
81 hope you will pardon me-" said
he ''for saying your youth is against
YOU
Agnes tried to make her voice steady
as she answered, but in spite of her
efforts it trembled.
81 never had any trouble with our
own servants, sir, and SO l thought l
might manage other peoples; but l
see my mistake
81 must again ask pardon for in
truding my opinions upon you. But
why, may 1 ask, have you selected this
particular line of employment
'sIt was a sudden impulse which led
me to answer your notice. Poor papa
has been gone from me whole year,
and now I have just heard that all the
money he left is lost. must earn my
living some way"
81 like your spirit. The taking of
such responsible place as that of the
directing spirit of my household ma
chinery would not be feasible; but l
have an invalid aunt who is about to
part with her companions lady who
has come into small property lately,