The Press., 1884-05-29
AGNES AND l.


 and jumped on the horse-car, en route for my office Some months had passed since I saw my Agnes, for the first time, at a dinner at the Paytons. I had frequently met Miss Georgie Payton in society, and had been several times invited to her recep- tions, so was not surprised to receive one day an invitation to dine with her ''infor mally," to meet a young lady from Aiken, s. c. Of course presented myself at this informal dinner in full evening dress, where l met some other gentlemen il similar at tire-Clarkson was one of them-and few young ladies, and was introduced to my Agnes. If I could only make you see her as she appeared to me that night-so fresh and blooming the blue of her clear, peaceful eyes; the delicious curve of the delicate lips But enough that then and there I yielded, and became her ardent adorer.
 From the first she distinguished me with her favor was her escort to con- cert and opera. / was allowed to claim the best dances they were always nay flowers that she crrried, and, finally, be- fore she returned to Aiken, I was her ac cepted lover!
 The year had flown swiftly, and now brilliant prospect seemed to open before me. My firm were about to establish q branch department ia another part of the city, and proposed to make one of their clerks junior partner, and manager of the new concern. had been the longest ill the ir employ, and had reason to think 1 was regarded with favor by "Old GruH -as Mr. Gruffiaud, the senior partner, was called and he would be the one to make the promotion, and settle the question of salary.
 Indeed, for some weeks had seen that he was working the management into my hands, so felt justified in writing to Ag- nes, urging our immediate union. The d, ar girl consented, and in the letter re- . ceived tha- morning she told mo she was coming again, to make long visit to the Paytons, to "lo some shopping" En- trancing words What did they ,aot inn ply Aid that, Eff all went well l'-if got tn position, of c3urse--"we might De married before ue,y long I was the happicst man in the world, as folded the little letter away, resolving, if 1t was i'll tn power of man 10 earn promotion, l would make myself indispensable to my employers.
 Well, she came There was 8 demure but delightful meeting at the station, and ali enchanting twenty minutes, until de liver. her to Miss Georgie's arms at the Ptytons door.
 Then followe days of devotion to work followed by evenings of unalloyed bliss say ''unalloyed," but there was one draw. back. The Payton family We're very con- siderate, Miss Georgie especially so but Agnes was haunted with the fear that they would think her visit to them was only to enjoy my society," and was constantly sug gesting that we should ''join the family i'll | L l, Do a bore, but mild -paterfamilias an nignant, but slightly tiresome. There was only one other member of the family a pretty little fellow named Ralph, but the girls had.taken t. calling him Raphael, ' from some fancied resemblance to one o1 the Sistine cherubs. He seemed 8 quiet little chap, with sweet innocence of eX pression and demeanor, who posed good deal of the time with his cheek on his hand, after the manner of the cherub afore said He was devoted to Agnes, and hung around her more than was pleasant, fol which occasionally snubbed him rathei severely, but she always interceded fol him. ''He was such little fellow-ano then he was so lovely twas he not ones ideal of a boy ?'
 Agnes had been in the city few weeks ! our office rang sharply. This was of ire quent occurrence, and Clarkson's desk was stationed near it, to save time in an swering the call The rest of Us scarcely looked up as the familiar "Hullo P Was shouted, or the concluding: ''All right I'll tell MT. Grufiand. Good-by! Bu this morning Clarkson turned to me with 'sThis is for you, Dixon p Accordingly I shouted "Hullo p and in return hear6 Miss Georgie's voice.
 sIs that you, Mr. Dixon? Agnes is here, and wants to try to speak to you"
 Then I heard her giving directions ''Stand little nearer press this close tt your ear-so.'
 "Good morning" I called.
 In return I heard a giggle, and my Az nes voice exclaiming: "Oh, oh It tick les my ear p Then more directions iron Miss Payton, and at last the sweetest voice in the world began in as nearly as migh be a stentOrian roar
 ''Is that really you, Harry? Isn't thi hear in the office, Georgie?' 9
 "Well, "' from Georgie, 'I should sa. they certainly could, if you shout lill that"
 ''Harry," in half whisper, ''if you ar sure it is really you, and no one else ca o ", hear, want to tell you something. D " you remember that queer Miss Blake i 10 Aiken? Do you hear me, Harry?'
 "Yes," l returned.
 J. Then another little giggle. 'Isn't too funny? Do you know, Harry, no' that see how to use it, I'm going to tai to you ever so often. Won't it be fun L. But where was |? Dear me, how stupid Oh, know, Miss Blake. We'll, she Ina t. just sent me the loveliest-"
 Here Clarkson muttercd, ''Old Gruff 'i coming," and knowing that he would as f, an explana: ion of my receiving the telt V" phone messages, I was obliged to ~abrup Il, ly interrupt: : "I must go now'-I Ina cd almost said ''my darling.' ''Tell me tn rest this evening""
 "Bnt, Harry !'~I heard in 8 grieve little voice but MT. Grufiands footsteI were too near, and hung up the receive upside down, and hurried to my desk.
 All day I worked in nervous desperation Would she try to resume the conversation Every time the bell rang l glanced { Clarkson. Tho thought that it might b her voice whispering in his great I'd ca covered me with cold precipitation. Tn fear that ill Mr. Grufiand's hearing I migl be called upon to answer some of her cha ter was still worse. I made up my min that must make Agnes understand tha very night. that she could not amuse he